BIO Eric Mabius – Daniel Meade

In the Ugly Betty Tv Show Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius) is the son of magazine publisher Bradford Meade. His father picked him to become editor-in-chief at MODE, the fashion magazine that Bradford founded, after the mysterious death of Daniel’s predecessor, the well-respected Fey Sommers.

Of Irish and Polish descent, Eric Mabius was born on April 22, 1971. He grew up moving almost constantly. Upon graduating from high school he attended the renowned arts school, Sarah Lawrence College. Immersing himself in acting, writing and film theory, college became the jumping-off point for Mabius’ first roles in the theater in smaller Off-Broadway productions. He landed his first film role as the object of Heather Matarazzo’s affection, the teen rock star, in Todd Solondz’s Sundance Grand Prize Winner, Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995).

Mabius has appeared in more than 27 films – seven of which screened at Sundance – and over a dozen television projects. His credits include roles in many genres, ranging from action (Resident Evil (2002) and The Extreme Team (2003)), drama (Cruel Intentions (1999)), comedy (‘Welcome to the Dollhouse’ and Wirey Spindell (2000)), mystery (The Minus Man (1999)), horror (The Crow: Salvation (2000) and Black Circle Boys (1997)), and romance (Splendor (1999) and Dancing at the Harvest Moon (2002) (TV)). Showtime’s groundbreaking series, "The L Word" (2004) and ABC’s "Eyes" (2005) are but a few more in a long line of unique and varied projects he has chosen that have achieved critical and audience acclaim.

BIO Ashley Jensen as Christina

Jensen stars alongside Ricky Gervais in the BBC Two/HBO television programme Extras. For her work on the first series, she received best television comedy actress and newcomer awards at the 2005 British Comedy Awards.

In January 2006 she starred in the short-lived drama series Eleventh Hour, alongside Patrick Stewart. Stewart had also appeared in an episode of Extras, in which he attempted to get Jensen’s character Maggie to appear in his new pet project. Later that year she played Steve Coogan’s agent in Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story.

Jensen has also appeared as Fiona Morris in the BBC1 soap opera EastEnders.
Jensen is engaged to actor Terry Beesley, 48, whom she has been with for six years. Ashley and Terry (who has appeared in Casualty) met in 1999 when they were both on stage in King Lear. The couple recently moved – with their dog, Barney – into a plush flat in Holland Park, West London.

Born in New York City, Ortiz is the daughter of the first Puerto Rican city councilman in Philadelphia and a mother who works in Manhattan with autistic children and runs a soup kitchen.

As a child, Ortiz dreamed of becoming a ballerina, and she studied ballet for eight years, until the pain of dancing en pointes forced her to pursue a different artistic discipline.

Ortiz has guest-starred on the series "NYPD Blue" and "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman," and her feature-film credits include "King of L.A." and "Tortilla Heaven."

Ortiz currently resides in Los Angeles, where she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, softball and water sports in her spare time. Her birthday is January 25.

BIO America Ferrera as The Ugly Betty

America Ferrera secured her place as one of Hollywood’s most vibrant young talents with her starring role in the Patricia Cardoso film, "Real Women Have Curves." Her performance earned her a Sundance Jury Award for Best Actress, an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance, as well as a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance for a Leading Young Actress.

This summer Ferrera will begin production on the bilingual independent film "Towards Darkness." She will also serve as executive producer on the film. Directed by Antonio Negret, the film follows the last 90 minutes in a kidnapped hostage’s life, and the frustration felt by his family, a special ops team and the man in charge of delivering the ransom money, as they all rush to save him. Ferrera plays a young woman who has a complicated relationship with the young hostage. The feature is based on Negret’s short film "Darkness Minus 12," which Ferrera also starred in.

Ferrera recently completed work in a Spanish speaking role in the independent film "Boy, Immigrant." Directed by Patricia Riggen, the story chronicles a nine-year-old Mexican boy’s journey to the United States to find his migrant mother after the grandmother who is taking care of him passes away. The film also stars Mexican actors Kate DelCastillo and Eugenio Derbez.

At the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, Ferrera appeared in the Brian Jun film "Steel City," which premiered in Dramatic Competition. On stage she most recently appeared off-Broadway in "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead," directed by Trip Cullman.

Additional film credits include a starring role in the 2005 hit "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," directed by Ken Kwapis and based on the bestselling novel by Ann Brashares. The film earned her an ALMA Award nomination. She also appeared in Catherine Hardwicke’s "Lords of Dogtown" and the 2005 Sundance Film Festival entry, "How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer," written and directed by Georgina Riedel and co-starring Elizabeth Peña. In recognition of her work, Ferrera received a 2005 Movieline Breakthrough Award.

BIO Alan Dale as Bradford Meade

Alan Dale, best known for his 8 year role as Jim Robinson in the long running Australian TV show "Neighbours", played Caleb in the hit FOX series "The OC" (2003), featured on "Lost" (2004) and has a long list of recurring roles. These include "24" (2001), "Navy:NCIS" (2003), "West Wing, The" (1999), "ER" (1994) and "The X Files". His film credits include After The Sunset (2004), Hollywood Homicide (2003) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). Alan has extensive theatre credits, has hosted his own radio shows and is a successful voice-over artist in both Australia, the UK and the U.S.

In the show Bradford Meade is a famous publishing mogul whose company owns the magazine he helped launched, MODE. He is also the father of Daniel Meade, the womanizing editor-in-chief.