The producer who created the hit TV series “Ugly Betty” was found dead in a Miami hotel room on Tuesday. Police say Silvio Horta died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 45.
Despite his success, the openly homosexual producer had previously spoken about being unhappy due to the stress of his work, according to London’s Daily Mail.
Ben Silverman acquired the rights to the Spanish-language hit “Yo Soy Betty La Fea” (I am Betty the Ugly One) in 2006. He hired Horta to adapt it to the small screen.
Silverman described the Cuban show-runner as “An incredible voice and talent and a rare person, a gay Cuban writer who hit the mainstream as a kid and never could quite keep up with his own success.”
Ugly Betty star America Ferrera also paid tribute to Horta, whom she described as a “joy and light.”
“I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death,” Ferrera, 35, wrote on Instagram.
“His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy and light. I’m thinking of his family and loved ones who must be in so much pain right now – and of the whole Ugly Betty family who feel this loss deeply.
“It’s sad that he wasn’t happy in his own skin,” Silverman told USA Today.
