'Ugly Betty' Creator Silvio Horta Dies by Suicide at 45
Editor's Note
If you experience suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.
Article updated Jan. 8, 2020.
“Ugly Betty” creator Silvio Horta has died by suicide at the age of 45, according to Variety, on Tuesday in Miami. People confirmed his cause of death with the Miami-Dade County medical examiner on Wednesday.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear brother and son, Silvio Horta,” his mother Anna and sister Hilda said in a statement, according to Deadline. Horta’s family added:
Through his friendships, his love and his work in TV and films, Silvio touched the lives of millions. Silvio had an ongoing struggle with addiction and depression, but through it all, he always found a way to turn his struggle into laughter. He was a kind and beautiful man. He may be gone but his light will shine on.
Horta is best known for adapting the Colombian TV series “Yo soy Betty, la fea” for American audiences with “Ugly Betty.” The TV series starred America Ferrera as the lead character, Betty Suarez, who lands a job at a fashion magazine despite her lack of fashion awareness in her personal life. The series ran for four seasons and earned Horta two Golden Globes, including the 2007 Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series.
Fans and colleagues reacted to Horta’s death on social media and shared condolences.
Silvio was such a kind guy. This is so fucking sad. Rest In Peace brother ???????? https://t.co/fBfd3N2E2Y
— JOHNNY SIBILLY (@JohnnySibilly) January 7, 2020
This is so, so sad.
Silvio Horta, the creator of 'Ugly Betty', has apparently died by suicide. https://t.co/JeVP2sCoar
— Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) January 7, 2020
Horrible news! We worked with Silvio on 'Ugly Betty.' RIP.https://t.co/mAFAO56RZo
— Reyes Entertainment (@GabrielReyesEnt) January 7, 2020
Lamentable noticia, falleció el guionista y productor de descendencia cubana #SilvioHorta, quien se hizo reconocido por crear y adaptar la versión gringa de #YoSoyBettyLaFea, #UglyBetty. También fue una figura que peleaba por los derechos LGBT+ en Hollywood. Tenía 45 años. pic.twitter.com/UHGCZFcmyB
— Stivi De Tivi (@StiviDeTivi) January 7, 2020
If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who feel suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.
Header image via Twitter
Renée Fabian was the features editor at The Mighty. She has also written for The Washington Post, VICE, Healthline, Talkspace, The Fix, The Establishment, The Culture Trip, and GRAMMY.com, among others. Renée was named a 2019 AHCJ Comparative Effectiveness Research fellow, a 2020 USC Center for Health Journalism California fellow, and holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter @ryfabian.
reneeyfabian