While Ugly Betty was hailed as provoking and groundbreaking show during its run on ABC between 2006 to 2010, its legacy has taken a few hits over the years.
During its heyday, the American comedy-drama about Betty Suarez who lands a job at a prestigious high fashion magazine despite her lack of style – won 42 awards and got 92 nominations, including two Golden Globes.
Its wildest plotlines over its four seasons ranged from extortion attempts and kidnapping to fashion emergencies.
Now, 15 years after coming to an end, the show has been thrust back into the spotlight after it was revealed that Eric Mabius was arrested for battery and resisting an officer on Thursday morning.
Since the series’ conclusion, a handful of other stars on the show have faced legal problems, public scrutiny and battles with their mental health.
Below DailyMail.com had a look back at some of the biggest tragedies and controversies that have hit the cast since wrapping in 2010.
While Ugly Betty was hailed provoking and groundbreaking show during its run on ABC between 2006 to 2010, its memory has taken a hit or two over recent years
Now, 15 years after coming to an end, the show has been thrust back into the spotlight after it was revealed that Eric Mabius (seen in 2007) was arrested for battery and resisting an officer
Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta died by suicide at age 45
Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta, died tragically from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 45 in January 2020.
At the time, the writer’s mom, Anna, and sister, Hilda confirmed his death in a statement following his passing, which read: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear brother and son, Silvio Horta. 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,’ his family concluded.
Horta had previously spoken about being overwhelmed by the demands of his job, revealing in a 2008 interview that the success of Ugly Betty was not all that he thought it would be.
‘My first year doing this, people would constantly ask me, “Aren’t you happy? You must be thrilled. You’ve got a hit show. You must be having the time of your life.” Well, no, I’m not. It’s all consuming,’ he said.
‘I was so exhausted by the time I got home on Friday night, I was just paralyzed. I didn’t want to go out. I didn’t want to socialize and I had so much work to do. That was it. That was my life.’
Horta, a Cuban American born in Miami, was openly gay and came out to his family when he was 19. He studied film at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
In 1998, Horta produced a screenplay for the teen satirical hit slasher Urban Legend. The film, which starred Jared Leto and Alicia Witt went on to make $72.5million at the box office.
He was also the creator of two short-lived sci-fi television shows: Jake 2.0, which starred Christopher Gorham, and The Chronicle, which ran from July 2001 to March 2002.
Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta, died tragically from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 45 in January 2020; seen in 2007
During its heyday, the American comedy-drama about Betty Suarez who lands a job at a prestigious high fashion magazine despite her lack of style – won 42 awards and got 92 nominations, including two Golden Globes
Horta had previously spoken about being overwhelmed by the demands of his job, revealing in a 2008 interview that the success of Ugly Betty was not all that he thought it would be; seen in 2007
Actor Michael Brea brutally killed his mom with a sword
Michael Brea was accused of killing his mom with a 3-foot samurai sword in her Brooklyn apartment after delivering a religious rant.
At the time of the attack, the actor, then 31, claimed to have believed a demon had taken hold of her soul.
‘I began hearing voices and feeling powerful,’ he told New York Daily News from the prison ward at Bellevue Hospital of his mindset before the murder. ‘They were asking about the difference between mom and mother. It was a sign.’
He described how he lit candles in his room and placed a dagger and a three foot ceremonial Freemason sword by his side.
Investigators claim he stole the sword from the masonic lodge, but Brea has insisted it was given to him by his father when he was a child.
The actor also surrounded himself with three saint cards – including one of Saint Jude holding a sword.
Friends had said they believed money worries and fears over his stalled showbiz career had pushed Brea over the edge.
‘Michael had many money problems and couldn’t pay his bills,’ his longtime friend and barber Sylvan Benoit said. ‘I think this happened because of stress over money.’
Neighbour Gregory Clare said: ‘His mother was supporting him, and he had to use his father’s car to get around.’
Michael Brea was accused of killing his mom with a 3-foot samurai sword in her Brooklyn apartment after delivering a religious rant
The show’s problematic transgender character arc
Although Ugly Betty was a beloved dramedy during the mid-2000s, many viewers have since called out the portrayal of transgender character, Alexis Meade (played by Rebecca Romijn).
In addition to some critics stating they should have cast an actor that is transgender in the role, the series has been called out for constantly misusing Alexis’ pronouns and including many offensive jokes at her expense.
In 2023, however, Romijn spoke out about her decision to take on the role and trying to ‘do that character justice — and make her as hot as possible.’
‘The executives at the time didn’t love the idea of the character,’ she told People. ‘There was a real boys’ club running the show behind the scenes at that point. So to try and make it palatable to the boys’ club… they pitched me. And I jumped at the chance.’
As a cis-gendered woman, Romijn said she would most likely ‘never’ be ‘cast in that role today’ but feels that her performance did ‘open doors for the trans community.’
‘I’d like to think that, anyway,’ she said. ‘I don’t want to pat myself on the back too much.’
As much as she loved her character, when asked about a reboot, Romijn stated that she thinks it ‘would be the correct thing’ to cast with a trans actress this time.
Although Ugly Betty was a beloved show during the mid-2000s, many viewers have called out the portrayal of transgender character, Alexis Meade (Rebecca Romijn seen in 2019)
Eric Mabius was arrested for battery in Florida
On Thursday morning, Eric Mabius was arrested for battery in Florida and booked into the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center.
He is facing two misdemeanor charges, battery and resisting an officer without violence, per TMZ.
The mugshot showed the near-unrecognizable star looking dazed, with what appeared to be a cut and purple bruise by his right eye, while clad in a prison jumpsuit.
Mabius is best known for his role as Mode fashion editor Daniel Meade on Ugly Betty alongside America Ferrera.
After Ugly Betty went off the air, Mabius went on to star in the Hallmark Channel series Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
While it only lasted one season, it also spawned a slew of TV movies, with Mabius returning as Oliver O’Toole in 11 of them.
He also had a seven-episode arc on NBC’s Chicago Fire in 2015 and starred in the 2019 Hallmark movie It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.
Mabius early screen credits in the 1990s also include Chicago Hope, Party of Five and Get Real.
His most recent screen credit was in 2023’s Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up.
On Thursday morning, Eric Mabius was arrested for battery in Florida and booked into the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center
