Eric Mabius’s lawsuit rattles Ugly Betty while Ferrera earns Oscar buzz

On the twentieth anniversary of its debut, the ABC comedy‑drama *Ugly Betty* still sparks discussion. While its creator, Silvio Horta, passed away before the show concluded, the series left a lasting imprint on television and its cast.

Among the most surprising headlines this year is that former star Eric Mabius was arrested for battery in 2025.

The four‑year run earned three Emmys and two Golden Globes, a rare achievement for a sitcom‑style drama. Its success gave many actors a platform to pursue high‑profile projects, though not all followed the same trajectory. This article explores where each key cast member is now, noting both career highlights and legal setbacks.

## Post‑Series Trajectories

America Ferrera’s career exploded after *Ugly Betty*. She first appeared in *Real Women Have Curves* and later starred in *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* and *Lords of Dogtown*. Winning an Emmy for her role as Betty Suarez cemented her status as a breakout star, surpassing peers such as Tina Fey and Julia Louis‑Dreyfus.

After the series ended in 2010, Ferrera voiced Astrid in DreamWorks’ *How to Train Your Dragon* (2010) and its sequels, as well as the animated series *Dragons: Race to the Edge*. She returned to television in 2015 on NBC’s *Superstore*, playing Amy for six seasons until 2021.

In 2023 she appeared as Gloria in *Barbie*, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Eric Mabius continued working after *Ugly Betty* but faced a legal incident in early 2025. He was arrested on battery and resisting law‑enforcement charges following a bar altercation in Florida. Prosecutors dropped the charges by May, and the case was sealed.

Prior to that, Mabius starred in Hallmark’s *Signed, Sealed, Delivered* (one season) and appeared in 11 Hallmark movies as Oliver O’Toole. He also had a seven‑episode arc on NBC’s *Chicago Fire* (2015), a role in the 2019 Hallmark film *It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas*, and the 2022 movie *Haul Out the Holly*.

His upcoming project is the TV series *Head Trip*.

Tony Plana’s television career extended well beyond *Ugly Betty*. He began in a 1978 guest spot on *What’s Happening!!* and later appeared in films such as *An Officer and a Gentleman* and *Three Amigos*. His first major TV role came with *Bakersfield P.D.* (1993).

Plana continued to appear in shows like *Pain & Gain*, *Alpha House*, and *Colony*, while directing episodes of *Resurrection Blvd.*, *Greetings from Tucson*, *The Brothers Garcia*, and *Desperate Housewives*. He also directed the 2000 TV movie *The Princess and the Bario Boy* with Marisol Nicols and Edward James Olmos.

Recent work includes *A Snowy Day in Oakland* on Prime Video and a role as Eugenio Martinez in HBO’s *White House Plumbers*.

## Legal and Personal Milestones

Ana Ortiz began her television journey with the 2001 series *Kristin*, later moving into roles across film and TV. In *Ugly Betty*, she portrayed Hilda Suarez, Betty’s older sister, a character who often clashed yet protected her sister.

She provided the voice of Anna Ramirez in the 2008 animated movie *Batman: Gotham Knight* and appeared in the TV movie *Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story* (2008) and *Labor Pains* (2009).

After the series, Ortiz starred as Marisol Suarez in Lifetime’s *Devious Maids* and voiced Rafa in *Elena of Avalor*. More recent credits include Isabel Salazar on the TV series *Love, Victor* and Alexandra Romanov in *History of the World, Part II*.

Becki Newton entered *Ugly Betty* after guest spots on shows such as *Guiding Light*, *Cold Case*, and *Charmed*. She played Amanda Tanen, Mode’s receptionist, before the series’ conclusion.

Newton’s post‑show work includes roles in *Love Bites*, *How I Met Your Mother*, *The Goodwin Games*, *Weird Loners*, *Tell Me A Story*, and *Divorce*. Her most recent appearance is on Netflix’s *The Lincoln Lawyer* as Lorna Crane.

Michael Urie’s path to *Ugly Betty* began at Juilliard, where he received the John Houseman Prize. He appeared in stage productions such as *WTC View* and the 2005 film adaptation. His first television role was as Marc St.

James, the secretary to Wilhemina Slater, in *Ugly Betty*. After the show, he starred in *The Decoy Bride*, appeared in the short‑lived series *Partners*, and had arcs on *Modern Family* and *The Good Wife*. More recently he played Brian in Apple TV Plus’s *Shrinking* and appeared in Bradley Cooper’s 2024 film *Maestro*.

Mark Indelicato landed the role of Justin Suarez, a gay teenager whose storyline was groundbreaking for its time. After *Ugly Betty*, Indelicato starred in the film *White Bird in a Blizzard* and the short‑lived Freeform series *Dead of Summer*.

Following a four‑year hiatus, he returned in 2020 for an episode of *Melange* and later appeared in HBO Max’s *Hacks* (2023). His most recent work is the Amazon Prime Video series *With Love*.

Vanessa Williams, known for winning Miss America in 1984, made her first starring TV role on *Ugly Betty* as Wilhemina Slater. Her portrayal earned three Emmy nominations. Post‑series, Williams played Renee Perry in ABC’s *Desperate Housewives* (2010–12) and appeared in *666 Park Avenue*.

She also had roles on *The Librarians*, *Milo: Murphy's Law*, and voiced Amanda Waller in a *Suicide Squad* animated film. Williams has provided voices for the animated series *T.O.T.S.* and is set to appear in the upcoming movie *Tripped Up*.

She recently performed in the West End production of the *Devil Wears Prada* musical as Miranda Priestly.

## Continued Television and Film Work

The cast’s post‑*Ugly Betty* careers span a wide range of genres. Ferrera’s Oscar nomination for *Barbie* demonstrates her continued relevance in high‑budget films. Mabius’ Hallmark collaborations show a steady presence in family‑friendly projects.

Plana’s transition to directing and work on high‑profile TV dramas illustrate his versatility beyond acting. Ortiz’s voice roles in animated series and appearances in contemporary dramas keep her profile steady.

Newton’s guest spots on popular shows such as *How I Met Your Mother* and *The Lincoln Lawyer* reflect her adaptability to different formats. Urie’s work on Apple TV Plus’s *Shrinking* and his 2024 film *Maestro* show a continued push into diverse roles.

Indelicato’s appearances on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max highlight the shift of younger actors toward digital media. Williams’ ventures into voice acting and stage performance demonstrate her breadth as an entertainer.

The varied paths of *Ugly Betty* alumni underscore how a single show can launch some careers to new heights while others navigate unexpected detours. Their stories, whether marked by Emmy triumphs, Oscar nods, or legal setbacks, continue to resonate with fans celebrating the show’s twentieth anniversary.