Ana Ortiz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ana Ortiz
Ortiz in 2014
Born	(1971-01-25) January 25, 1971 (age 54) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Ana Lebenzon
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1995–present
Spouse(s)	Noah Lebenzon ​ (m. 2007)​
Children	2

Ana Ortiz, born on January 25, 1971, is an American actress and singer. From a young age, she loved ballet and singing. She later studied at the University of the Arts. Ana started her acting journey in theater. In the early 2000s, she appeared in TV shows like Kristin and A.U.S.A.. She also had recurring roles in Over There and Boston Legal.

Ana Ortiz became widely known for playing Hilda Suarez in the TV show Ugly Betty. This popular comedy-drama aired from 2006 to 2010. She also acted in movies such as Labor Pains (2009) and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011). In 2008, she starred in the TV movie Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story. From 2013 to 2016, Ana played Marisol Suarez in the TV series Devious Maids. For this role, she won an Imagen Award for Best Actress. In 2020, she began starring in the Hulu series Love, Victor as Isabel Salazar. In 2024, she played Queen Zamara in Monster High 2.

Ana Ortiz's Life and Career

Early Life and Theater Work

Ana Ortiz was born in New York City. Her father, Angel Ortiz, was a city council member in Philadelphia. Her mother, Kathleen Kuhlman, has German and Irish roots. As a child, Ana studied ballet for eight years. She stopped dancing because it became too painful.

After ballet, Ana switched to singing. She went to a special high school for music and art in New York City. Later, she attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Her first professional acting job was in a play called Dangerous Liaisons. She also performed in a European tour of the musical Hair. Ana joined the LAByrinth Theatre Company. She appeared in an Off-Broadway play called In Arabia We'd All Be Kings. This play was directed by famous actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Time Out New York magazine named it one of the top 10 plays of 1999.

Ana Ortiz appeared in several TV shows early in her career. These included NYPD Blue, Everybody Loves Raymond, and ER. Her first regular role was in the comedy series Kristin in 2001. She then starred in another comedy, A.U.S.A., in 2003. She also had recurring roles in the drama Over There and the series Boston Legal.

Becoming Famous with Ugly Betty

Ortiz at The Heart Truth Fashion Show in 2008

In 2006, Ana Ortiz was chosen for the role of Hilda Suarez. Hilda was the main character's sister in the ABC comedy-drama Ugly Betty. Ana had actually tried out for the main role of Betty Suarez. She said she dressed very simply for the audition. She wanted them to remember her for future roles.

While working on Ugly Betty, Ana also acted in movies. She starred in Tortilla Heaven and Labor Pains. She lent her voice to the animated film Batman: Gotham Knight. In 2008, she starred in the TV movie Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story. Ana also made a guest appearance on Army Wives. She played a waitress named Sandi. In 2010, she was in the music video for "Cuando me enamoro" by Enrique Iglesias.

Later Roles: Devious Maids and Beyond

Ortiz at the Alma Awards in 2012

After Ugly Betty finished in 2010, Ana Ortiz was cast in a new TV show pilot called True Blue. It was about San Francisco detectives. However, the show was not picked up to become a full series. The next year, she appeared in the comedy movie Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son. She also starred in another pilot called Outnumbered, which also didn't become a series. She then had a recurring role in the HBO comedy series Hung. Ana also acted in independent films like Sleeping with the Fishes.

In 2012, Ana Ortiz was chosen for a main role in the pilot for Devious Maids. ABC decided not to air the show, but Lifetime network picked it up. The series started on June 23, 2013. It received good reviews from critics. In the show, she played Marisol Duarte, who was actually Professor Marisol Suarez. In 2013, Ana was a special guest star in the TV show Revenge. She played Bizzy Preston. In 2014, she guest-starred in episodes of How to Get Away with Murder and Black-ish.

In 2014, Ana Ortiz was cast in the film Love is All You Need? (2016). This movie was based on a short film from 2011. Devious Maids ended after four seasons in 2016. The next year, Ana starred in another TV pilot that wasn't picked up. She also did voice work for the 2018 movie Ralph Breaks the Internet.

In 2019, Ana Ortiz joined the main cast of the comedy-drama Whiskey Cavalier. She played an FBI profiler named Susan Sampson. In 2020, Ana starred in the popular Hulu series Love, Victor. She played Isabel Salazar, the mother of the main character. Critics praised her performance in this role.

Ana Ortiz's Personal Life

Ana Ortiz married musician Noah Lebenzon on June 7, 2007. Their wedding was in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Their daughter, Paloma, was born on June 25, 2009. Their second child, a son named Rafael, was born on September 24, 2011.

Ana Ortiz is very involved in helping people learn about domestic abuse. She shares her own experiences from when she was in her 20s. She was in a relationship that became physically abusive. Ana has spoken about how her past experiences helped her play certain roles. She hopes to help others who might be going through similar situations.

Ana Ortiz's Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Ana Ortiz para niños