Happy (belated) Birthday, Tony Plana!
Ugly Betty patriarch Tony Plana celebrated a birthday yesterday (I wonder if he and America Ferrera, whose birthday is April 18th, have a mutual celebration each year?).
Plana was born in Havana, Cuba in 1953. In 1963, his family moved to Miami. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and was trained in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, UK. He has been married to actress Ada Maris since 1988 and they have two children.
Plana has been an outspoken advocate/spokesperson for Latinos in the entertainment field.
I will say this, and I’m pretty sure that many of you will not agree: on the show, Plana’s character Ignacio is one of the few whose direction has not only seemed right, but has been fun to watch. The fast food job, his reaction to his overprotective children, the TV cook-off, the relationship with Elena (she’s been missed lately), even the mostly slapstick role Ignacio played in 3.19, The Sex Issue, have been interesting and funny.
OK, the heart attack that came and went in the blink of an eye was silly, but still, I think the writers overall have done a great job with Ignacio.
Anyway, happy birthday, er, belated birthday, Tony!
Image: SplashNewsOnline.com
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS, TONI!!!! Mas vale tarde que nunca. Oh well, belated birthday greetings or not: WE LOVE YOU!!
Definitely and advocate of the latino talent. He is obviously underused in Ugly Betty. But that’s just the role he has been assigned to play. And even if the role doesn’t require much of his powerful acting talents, he still makes Ignacio shine. Papi Suarez is really lovely and positive character. I am glad they are paying more attention to him this season.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, JOSE ANTONIO!!! TE ADORAMOS!!!