Ana Ortiz

Ana Ortiz (born January 25, 1971)[1] is an American actress and singer. Having pursued a career in ballet and singing from a young age, she eventually attended University of the Arts. Ortiz began her acting career in theatre, in early 2000s starred in the short-lived NBC sitcoms Kristin (2001) and A.U.S.A. (2003), and had recurring roles on Over There and Boston Legal.

Ana Ortiz
Ortiz at the 29th Annual Imagen Awards in 2014
Born (1971-01-25) January 25, 1971
New York City, New York, U.S.
Other namesAna Lebenzon
OccupationActress, singer
Years active1995–present
Spouse(s)
Noah Lebenzon
​
(m. 2007)​
Children2

Ortiz garnered widespread attention for her role as Hilda Suarez in the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty from 2006 to 2010. She also appeared in such films like Labor Pains (2009) and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011), and starred in Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (2008). From 2013 to 2016, Ortiz starred as Marisol Suarez in the Lifetime television comedy-drama series Devious Maids, for which she received the Imagen Award for Best Actress - Television. In 2020, Ortiz starred in the Hulu series Love, Victor as Isabel Salazar, mother of the title character Victor Salazar.[2]

Life and career

Early life and career in theatre

Ortiz was born in New York City,[1] and is the daughter of Angel Ortiz, a former Philadelphia City Council member of Puerto Rican descent, and an Irish-American mother,[3][4] Kathleen Kulhman.[5] As a child, Ortiz studied ballet for eight years, until the pain of dancing en pointe forced her to pursue a different artistic discipline. Ortiz graduated from University of the Arts in Philadelphia.[1]

Switching to singing, Ortiz attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City and later the University of the Arts in Philadelphia before making her professional stage debut in a regional theater production of Dangerous Liaisons. Her additional stage credits include portraying Chrissy in a European touring production of Hair, regional theater productions such as Dog Lady and the Cuban Swimmer and in the South Coast Repertory Theater's production of References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot. After joining LAByrinth Theatre Company,[6] she appeared Off-Broadway in In Arabia, We'd All Be Kings, directed by Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and named one of the 10-best plays of 1999 by the magazine Time Out New York.

Ortiz appeared in several television shows including NYPD Blue, Everybody Loves Raymond, Commander In Chief, ER, and The New Adventures of Old Christine. She had her first series regular role in short-lived NBC comedy series Kristin (2001). She later starred in another short-lived sitcom, called A.U.S.A. in 2003, and later had recurring roles in the FX drama Over There, and ABC series Boston Legal.[1]

2006–2010:Ugly Betty and other roles
Ortiz at The Heart Truth Fashion Show 2008

In 2006, Ortiz was cast as Hilda Suarez, the lead character's sister, in the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty. Originally, Ortiz had auditioned for the Betty Suarez role, saying in 2008, "I was super plain. I just put on some glasses and kept my hair kind of flat and layered on the clothing", describing what she wore when auditioning for the role of Betty. "I just wanted them to remember me, so that I could be involved in the future".[7]

In addition to her role on Ugly Betty, Ortiz was active in films, which include starring roles in Tortilla Heaven and Labor Pains. She also had a voice role in Batman: Gotham Knight, and starred in the made-for-television movie Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story in 2008. Ortiz also had a guest-starring role on Army Wives during its second season, playing a waitress named Sandi.[8] She also appeared in the 2010 music video for Enrique Iglesias and Juan Luis Guerra's "Cuando me enamoro".[9]

2010–present: Devious Maids and later
Ortiz at the Alma Awards 2012.

After Ugly Betty ended in 2010, Ortiz was cast as lead character in the ABC drama pilot True Blue about San Francisco homicide detectives reunited to solve the murder of one of their own.[10] The pilot was not picked up to series. The following year she appeared in the comedy film Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son, and starred in another pilot, called Outnumbered for Fox,[11] her second pilot not picked up to series. She later had a recurring role on the HBO comedy series Hung.[12] Ortiz also starred in the independent films Sleeping with the Fishes, and Such Good People.[13][14]

In 2012, Ortiz was cast as a lead character on the ABC comedy-drama pilot Devious Maids.[15] While ABC chose not to pick it up to series,[16] Lifetime picked up the pilot with a thirteen-episode order.[17] The series premiered June 23, 2013, on Lifetime with positive reviews from critics.[18] In the show, she plays the lead role of Marisol Duarte (the alias of Professor Marisol Suarez). Also in 2013, Ortiz was special guest star in the ABC primetime soap opera, Revenge, as Bizzy Preston.[19][20] In 2014, Ortiz guest-starred in episodes of two ABC shows: How to Get Away with Murder[21] and Black-ish.[22]

In 2014 Ortiz was cast in the gay-drama film Love is All You Need? (2016), based on the 2011 short film with the same name.[23][24] She did voice over work in the 2018 film Ralph Breaks the Internet.[25]

Devious Maids was canceled after four seasons, in 2016. The following year, Ortiz starred in her third unsold pilot, a comedy called Charlie Foxtrot.[26] Since 2019, Ortiz appears in the main cast of the comedy drama Whiskey Cavalier, playing FBI profiler Susan Sampson.[27]

In 2020, Ortiz starred in the acclamed Hulu series Love, Victor as Isabel Salazar, mother of the title character Victor Salazar. Her role is acclamed by critics.[2]

Personal life

Ortiz married musician Noah Lebenzon in June 07, 2007 in Rincón, Puerto Rico.[28] Their daughter Paloma was born June 25, 2009.[29] Their second child, son Rafael, was born on September 24, 2011.[30]

Ortiz is active in raising awareness against domestic abuse, citing her own experiences when she was in her 20s and involved in a romantic relationship that turned physically abusive. In an article for USA Today, Ortiz notes that the final scene from the Ugly Betty episode "How Betty Got Her Grieve Back", in which Hilda sat on her bed staring at the bathroom after realizing that Santos had died, was drawn from that experience: "I used some of that subconsciously ... It's something that is always with me".[31]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Condition Red C Block Inmate
2000 King of the Korner Isabel
2002 Mr. St. Nick Lorena
2002 Lehi's Wife Kelly Short film
2003 Carolina Christen
2007 Tortilla Heaven Chicana
2008 The Winged Man Wanda Short film
2008 Batman: Gotham Knight Anna Ramirez Voice
2009 Labor Pains Donna
2011 Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son Gail Fletcher
2011 The Last Generation Diner Chick Short film
2012 Noah's Ark: The New Beginning Tier Voice
2013 Sleeping with the Fishes Kayla Fish
2014 Such Good People Detective Diane Kershman Film
2016 Love is All You Need? Susan Miller
2017 The Keeping Hours Janice
2017 Trust Fund Meredith
2018 Ralph Breaks the Internet Ballet Mom Voice
2019 Princess of the Row Magdalene Rodriguez

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: The Movie Pregnant Woman Television film
2001 Kristin Santa Clemente Series regular, 13 episodes
2001 Everybody Loves Raymond Natasha Episode: "Raybert"
2000, 2002 NYPD Blue Luisa Lopez / Maria Alvarez Episodes: "A Hole in Juan" and "Dead Meat in New Deli"
2002 Strong Medicine Elena Delgado Episode: "Family History"
2002 Do Over Mrs. Rice Episode: "Rock 'n' Roll Parking Lot"
2002 ER Laura Episode: "Hindsight"
2003 A.U.S.A. Ana Rivera Series regular, 13 episodes
2003 Greetings from Tucson Angela Episode: "Eegee's vs. Hardee's"
2003 Life on Parole Loretta TV pilot
2004 North Shore Ana Green Episode: "Secret Service"
2004 Foster Hall TV pilot
2005 Blind Justice Letitia Barreras Episode: "Past Imperfect"
2005 Freddie Gina Episode: "Rich Man, Poor Girl"
2005 Over There Anna Recurring role, 7 episodes
2006 Commander in Chief Isabelle Rios Episode: "Wind Beneath My Wing"
2006 Boston Legal A.D.A. Holly Raines Recurring role, 4 episodes
2006 The New Adventures of Old Christine Belinda Episode: "Some of My Best Friends Are Portuguese"
2008 Army Wives Sandy Episode: "Loyalties"
2008 Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story Valerie Valleja Television film
2006–10 Ugly Betty Hilda Suarez Series regular, 84 episodes
2010 True Blue Maureen Minillo TV pilot
2011 Outnumbered Sue Tulley TV pilot
2011 Hung Lydia Recurring role, 5 episodes
2013–16 Devious Maids Marisol Suarez Lead role, 49 episodes
2013 Revenge Bizzy Preston Episode: "Resurgence"
2014 How to Get Away with Murder Paula Murphy / Elena Aguilar Episode: "Smile, or Go to Jail"
2014–17 Family Guy Cinnamon (voice) 2 episodes
2015 Black-ish Angelica Rodriguez Episode: "Black Santa/White Christmas"
2015 Marry Me Hailey Recurring role, 4 episodes
2016-18 Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh Lucy Tucci (voice) Main role
2016-19 Elena of Avalor Rafa (voice) Recurring role, 3 episodes
2016 Elena and the Secret of Avalor Rafa (voice) Television film
2017 Charlie Foxtrot Angelina Torres TV pilot
2017 Angie Tribeca Betty Crocker Episode: "If You See Something, Solve Something"
2017 The Mindy Project Dr. Mary Hernandez Recurring role, 4 episodes
2019 Whiskey Cavalier Susan Sampson Series regular, 13 episodes
2019 Superstore Claudia Lankow
2020 Love, Victor Isabel Salazar Series regular

Awards and nominations
Year Work Award Category Result
2007 Ugly Betty ALMA Awards ALMA Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Television Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie Won
2007 Ugly Betty OFTA Television Award Outstanding Supporting Actress Won
2007 Ugly Betty Imagen Award Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress – Television Won
2007 Ugly Betty Screen Actors Guild Award Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated[32]
2008 Ugly Betty Ewwy Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2008 Ugly Betty Screen Actors Guild Award Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated[33]
2008 Ugly Betty Imagen Award Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress – Television Nominated
2009 Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story Imagen Award Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2009 Ugly Betty Imagen Award Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress – Television Won
2009 Ugly Betty ALMA Awards ALMA Award for Outstanding Actress in Television - Comedy Nominated
2010 Ugly Betty NAACP Image Awards NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated[34]
2013 Devious Maids ALMA Awards ALMA Award for Outstanding Actress in Television - Comedy Nominated
2014 Devious Maids Imagen Award Imagen Award for Best Actress - Television Won[35]

References
  1. "Ana Ortiz". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.
  2. Andreeva, Nellie (June 13, 2019). "'Love, Simon': Ana Ortiz To Star In Disney+ Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  3. Ryan, Maureen (November 16, 2006). "Ana Ortiz on 'Ugly Betty': 'I definitely have a Queens connection'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 20, 2006.
  4. Gray, Ellen (January 16, 2007). "'Betty's' Ortiz relishes show's hit status". Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008.
  5. "Win Ana Ortiz's Baby Shower Gift! (A $599 Value!)". People. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on February 6, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  6. LAByrinth Theatre Company Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Claustro, Lisa, "Ortiz Went 'Super Plain' for 'Ugly Betty' Audition, BuddyTV.com, January 5, 2008, reprinting quotes from Sheridan, Patricia, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article (no date or title given)
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2008-06-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Ana Ortiz: Enrique Iglesias is a Total, Juicy Hunk". Latina.com. 2010-07-29. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  10. "'Ugly Betty's' Ana Ortiz joins 'True Blue'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  11. Andreeva, Nellie. "Ana Ortiz To Star In Fox Comedy Pilot 'Outnumbered'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  12. Andreeva, Nellie. "HBO Castings: Alice Eve To Recur On 'Entourage', Ana Ortiz On 'Hung' & More". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  13. "Gina Rodriguez Lands Lead Role in Indie Pic 'Sleeping With the Fishes' (Exclusive)". Hollywoodreporter.com. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  14. "Gay Comedy Such Good People Wraps Production". Indie It Press. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  15. Andreeva, Nellie. "Ana Ortiz To Lead The Cast Of Marc Cherry's ABC Pilot 'Devious Maids'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  16. Palomares, Sugey (May 16, 2012). "'Devious Maids' Never Maes It on the Air — Would It Have Hurt Latinos?". Latina. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  17. "Marc Cherry's 'Devious Maids' comes to Lifetime this summer". Entertainment Weekly. April 10, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  18. "Devious Maids - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  19. ' + data.results.personName + ' (2013-09-27). "'Revenge': 'Devious Maids' Ana Ortiz will guest-star - Zap2it". Blog.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-30. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  20. Michael Ausiello (2013-09-26). "'Revenge' Season 3: Ana Ortiz to Guest Star". TVLine. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  21. Vlada Gelman (August 8, 2014). "TVLine Items: Ana Ortiz Takes Stab at Murder, Helix Adds Matt Long & More". TVLine. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  22. Philiana Ng (22 October 2014). "'Black-ish': Ana Ortiz to Guest Star - Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  23. "Jeremy Sisto & More Join 'Love Is All You Need,' Kea Ho Gets 'Urge'". Deadline. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  24. "Casting Net: Meg Ryan boards 'Fan Girl,' Jacki Weaver signs on for 'Zeroville;' more". EW.com. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  25. ""Ugly Betty" Star Ana Ortiz Joins Voice Cast of Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph" Sequel (Exclusive)". Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  26. Andreeva, Nellie (February 23, 2017). "Ana Ortiz To Star In 'Charlie Foxtrot' ABC Comedy Pilot". Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  27. Andreeva, Nellie (February 22, 2018). "'Whiskey Cavalier': Ana Ortiz To Co-Star In ABC Pilot". Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  28. "Actress Ana Ortiz married in Puerto Rico". UPI. June 11, 2007. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007.
  29. "Ana Ortiz Introduces Paloma Louise!". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  30. Hernandez, Lee. "Exclusive: Ana Ortiz Gives Birth to a Son Named Rafael!". Latina. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011.
  31. "Ana Ortiz of 'Ugly Betty' let her pain fuel Hilda's". USA Today. September 24, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  32. "13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations". Screen Actors Guild. 4 January 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  33. Bruno, Mike (2007-12-20). "The 14th Annual SAG Award Nominations". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  34. "Nominees for 39th NAACP Image Awards Announced Live at Press Conference By Mara Brock Akil, Richard T. Jone, "Entertainment Tonight's" Kevin Frazier and NAACP Executives" (PDF). NAACP (Press release). January 8, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  35. "Nominees for the 29th Annual Imagen Awards Announced". imagen.org/. Archived from the original on 24 June 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
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