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Silvio Horta, Creator Of Ugly Betty, Found Dead At 45

Kaitlin Reilly
Last Updated 8 January 2020, 10:52
Photo: J.Sciulli/WireImage.
TV producer and creator of ABC’s Ugly Betty Silvio Horta has died, according to Deadline. Reports around the cause of death vary at this time. Refinery29 has reached out for comment. Horta was 45. 
Horta, a Miami native, was just 25 when he wrote the script for 1998 cult classic horror movie Urban Legend. He went on to build a career in television, working on the comedy The Chronicle from 2001 to 2002 and the following year created the series Jake 2.0., which starred eventual Ugly Betty actor Christopher Gorham and ran for one season. 
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In 2006, Horta developed Ugly Betty, which was based on Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea. The series, which starred America Ferrera as an ambitious, but unstylish, writer working at a fashion magazine, ran for four seasons. 
Horta and the cast reunited at the Austin Television Festival in 2016, which sparked talk of a continuation of the series.
“The only thing I know for sure, if we were to do somethings it would be a dream, but everybody on the would have to be involved,” Horta said of the possibility of creating more Ugly Betty. 
In 2015, Horta developed television pilot The Curse of the Fuentes Women for NBC. It ultimately did not go to series. He sold a musical pilot with Mary J. Blige to Fox in 2018, titled Move. 
Upon hearing news of his death, Ferrera wrote on Instagram:
"I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death. His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy & 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 so deeply."
Mark Indelicto, who played Justin on Ugly Betty, a gay character whom Horta said he shared similarities to, shared Ferrera's post to his Instagram Story, along with the message:
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"Truly devastating news. Silvio gave me my start at 11 years old and trusted me with a character that was so close to his heart. He will be greatly missed by all."
Others, including Vampire Diaries creator Julie Plec and actress Octavia Spencer, expressed their grief over Horta's death on social media.

Refinery29 has reached out for comment.
If you are thinking about suicide, please contact Samaritans on 116 123. All calls are free and will be answered in confidence.
This post has been updated.

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