Spotlight on Ana Ortiz

Seemingly coming out of nowhere in the early 2000’s, Ana Ortiz was soon outshining her bigger name co-stars, Kristin Chenoweth (“Pushing Daisies”) and Jon Tenny (“The Closer”) in the television series “Kristin.” It was quickly apparent that the theatrically trained starlet was bound and determined to make a name for herself in television, particularly after her initial attempts to make an entrance only landed a few nameless roles in shows such as “Condition Red” and “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.” So when the opportunity arose to demonstrate her comedic chops and screen presence, Ana rose to the occasion. While the role on “Kristin” was short-lived because the series lasted only 11 episodes, Ana was off and running, and quickly moved on to a series of guest appearances on shows like “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Greetings from Tucson,” “NYPD Blue” “Strong Medicine,” “ER,” “A.U.S.A.,” “North Shore,” “Blind Justice,” and “Freddie.” Along the way she also took the time to appear in the films “Mr. St. Nick” with Kelsey Grammer and “Carolina” with Julia Stiles and Shirley MacLaine.

Finally after four years of persistence, Ana’s unique ability to bring a light comedic touch to dramatic roles landed her a seven episode arc on the Iraq war drama “Over There” alongside Sprague Grayden (known for her roles in cult favorites “John Doe” and “Jericho”) and Luke MacFarlane (who now plays Scotty on “Brothers & Sisters”). Once her story arc concluded, Ana quickly snagged a plum guest appearance role as a tenacious ADA on the David E. Kelley legal drama, “Boston Legal.”

But these were but stepping stones to the role of a lifetime as immediately afterwards Ana landed the role of Hilda Suarez, Betty’s sister in the ABC fashion sensation “Ugly Betty.” Playing a young mother struggling to provide for her precocious son, Ana’s natural grace and razor-sharp delivery of side-splitting one-liners was captivating. She managed to bring warmth and poignancy to a role that could have easily been a caricature. Instead she brought to life a character that many young women could identify with and even aspire to.

Astoundingly, during “Ugly Betty’s” four year run, Ana also found the time to work on a few film projects as well, such as “Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story” with A. Martinez and “Labor Pains” with Lindsay Lohan. Clearly, Ana is not one to sit still and moves with apparent effortless ease between comedy and drama.

It has been a privilege to watch Ana blossom into the captivating actress she is today and we can only hope to see her in other such unique and inspiring roles in the future.

“Ugly Betty” airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. on ABC.

Related article:

http://nicegirlstv.com/2010/03/03/spotlight-on-ana-ortiz/

Reflections on the 2009 Emmy Nominations (part 3)

“Maneater” -

 Despite sounding like it is a story about a serial killer, this little gem of a mini-series focused on the beautiful and terrifically comedic talents of Sarah Chalke in the role of Clarrisa Alpert, an aging socialite determined to marry the man of her dreams. After setting summertime rating records for Lifetime, it was a wonderful surprise to find it on the Emmy nomination list for Outstanding Makeup for a Mini-Series.

 “The Mentalist” -

 Taking the TV landscape by storm, the show to catch this last season was CBS’ bonefide hit “The Mentalist.” As richly deserved and earned, Simon Baker scored a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Patrick Jane, the reformed psychic aiding the government in tracking down nefarious criminals.

 “Nip/Tuck” -

Another show gracefully bowing out, “Nip/Tuck” still manages to capture our attention with its realistic horrors of plastic surgery. It is thus no surprise that it received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series. It is hard to imagine if any other show will truly capture the simultaneous beauty and horror of the lengths people will go to stay young forever.

 “Pushing Daisies” -  

In a heart-breaking cancellation, one could have thought this show was long gone, dead and buried. But life springs eternal for shows of such beauty, grace and sheer magnificent genius. So “Pushing Daisies” may be gone, but it is not forgotten. It also celebrates its swan song with 5 Emmy nominations for:

(1) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Kristin Chenoweth)

(2) Outstanding Costumes for a Series (for the episode “Bzzzzzzzz!”)

(3) Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series (for the episode “Dim Sum, Lose Sum”)

(4) Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series (for the episode “Dim Sum, Lose Sum”)

(5) Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (for the episode “Dim Sum, Lose Sum”)

There will perhaps never be another show which embodied such pure poignancy and romanticism.

“Saving Grace” -

Receiving her 3rd consecutive nomination for her extraordinary portrayal of Grace Hanadarko in the series “Saving Grace,” Holly Hunter is a force to be reckoned with. This may just be her year to bring home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

“Smallville” -

Receiving its 3rd nomination for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series for the episode “Bloodline,” this popular dramatization of the origins of Superman has proven that after 8 successful seasons, it is a show that not only has stamina, but it is also a show striving for the stars creatively.

“Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles” -

Another victim of a surprise cancellation last season, it was a wonderful surprise to find it nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series for the episode “Mr. Ferguson Is Ill Today.”

“24″ -

Coming off of its critically acclaimed 7th season and just about to start its 8th season, “24″ is a breathless ride of exhilaration. It is therefore no surprise that it received 6 Emmy nominations and 5 more for its stand-alone special, “24: Redemption.” The nominations for “24″ are as follows:

(1) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Cherry Jones)

(2) Outstanding Stunt Coordination (for episode “5:00 – 6:00 p.m.”)

(3) Outstanding Sound Mixing (for episode “10:00 – 11:00 p.m.”)

(4) Outstanding Music Composition (for episode “7:00 – 8:00 a.m.”)

(5) Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series

(6) Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series (for episode “10:00 – 11:00 p.m.)

Then the nominations for “24: Redemption” are:

(1) Outstanding Lead Actor in a Mini-Series (Kiefer Sutherland)

(2) Outstanding Music Composition for a Mini-Series

(3) Outstanding Picture Editing for a Special

(4) Outstanding Sound Editing for a Mini-Series

(5) Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Mini-Series

From its first season, “24″ never shirked from portraying the harsh horrors of both international and domestic terrorism. But it also strove to deliver some kickass fine television entertainment.

“True Blood” -

In what should be just a campy, slightly trashy guilty-pleasure, “True Blood” has risen above its roots and become a sensational television show with a stellar cast and riveting storylines. It is the break-out hit of 2009 and each award nomination is richly deserved. It received 3 Emmy nominations for:

(1) Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series

(2) Outstanding Main Title Design

(3) Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series (for the episode “Burning House of Love”)

While outrageous vampire stories may not be your thing, this decadent delicacy is worth checking out. Just make sure your blood pressure can take the risqué nudity beforehand.

“Ugly Betty” -

Receiving her 3rd nomination for her portrayal as the vacillating villain Wilhelmina Slater, Vanessa Williams scored a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Book-ending her nomination, the series also received a nomination for Outstanding Costumes for a Series — all of which were probably worn by Ms. Williams who always looked like the trend-setting fashion plate she gloriously portrayed.

 While there are surely other shows which deserve recognition for both their Emmy nominations, these are the shows that spoke to me and which I wish to honor here for their achievements. These are the shows with which I laughed and cried and shared this past year. It was an extraordinary year and I am grateful to have been allowed to share in it. May we be similarly blessed in this upcoming season!