Ana Ortiz
The sharp-tongued, fiercely loyal sister on 'Ugly Betty' who brought heart and Bronx grit to a glossy fashion world.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American actress and singer·Birthday: January 25·Generation X
Biography
Ana Ortiz carved out a space in television by playing women of formidable strength and warmth. A trained singer and theater performer from New York, she paid her dues with guest spots on shows like 'NYPD Blue' before landing her breakout role. As Hilda Suarez on 'Ugly Betty', Ortiz was the emotional anchor of the series, portraying a single mother navigating life in Queens with a blend of street-smart resilience and unwavering love for her family. The role showcased her ability to deliver both comedic zingers and deeply moving drama. Since then, she has avoided being typecast, taking on roles as varied as a determined federal agent in 'Whiskey Cavalier' and a complex matriarch in the psychological thriller 'The Last Thing He Wanted', demonstrating a range that keeps her career dynamic and compelling.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ana was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ana Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Ana's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received critical acclaim and an ALMA Award for her portrayal of Hilda Suarez on the hit series 'Ugly Betty'.
- Starred as Susan Sampson, a lead role in the ABC drama series 'Devious Maids', for four seasons.
- Played a series regular role as FBI agent Susan Sampson in the action-comedy series 'Whiskey Cavalier'.
- Performed on Broadway in the Lincoln Center production of 'Titanic' early in her career.
Did You Know?
She is a classically trained mezzo-soprano and studied opera at the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan.
She is married to musician Noah Lebenzon, who is the son of film editor Carol Littleton.
She provided the voice for the character of Bonnie in the animated film 'Rio 2'.
She is a strong advocate for lupus awareness, a cause close to her family.
“Hilda was the heart of that house, and she never apologized for it.”
