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America Ferrera Biography

Birth Name:America Georgine Ferrera

Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Soundtrack, Director

Fast Facts

  • Won a Golden Globe, SAG and Emmy award for her portrayal on "Ugly Betty"
  • Born to immigrants from Honduras, her mother always stressed the importance of higher education and initially did not support her daughter's aspirations to be an actor
  • Quote: "It's so reassuring to have a woman heroine who triumphs with more than just what she has on the outside․․․who has more to offer the world than just a pretty picture․"
  • After starring in sleeper indie hit "Real Women Have Curves", she found even more fame after landing a starring role as the titular character on ABC's "Ugly Betty" in 2006
  • Turned to the director's chair with limited series "Pedro & Maria" in 2013 for ABC, a modern day take on Romeo & Juliet after initially pitching the project to MTV in 2010
  • Made her West End stage debut in London in 2011 with the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago
  • Named valedictorian of her class at El Camino High School in Los Angeles with a GPA of 4․3 and would later attend the University of Southern California thanks in part to a presidential scholarship
  • Finally graduated from the University of Southern California in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in international relations after leaving several years prior to work on "Ugly Betty"

Awards

  • 2002Special Jury Prize-Dramatic: winner
  • 2003Independent Spirit Award-Best Debut Performance: nominated
  • 2003OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Female: nominated
  • 2003Young Artist Award-Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress: nominated
  • 2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Hissy Fit: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Breakout Performance - Female: nominated
  • 2006ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Imagen Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2006Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2007ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress - Television Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie: winner
  • 2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2007Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
  • 2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actress: winner
  • 2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2007Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2007Imagen Award-Best Actress - Television: winner
  • 2007OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2007Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress: Comedy: nominated
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Breakout: winner
  • 2007TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: nominated
  • 2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2008Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2008Imagen Award-Best Actress- Television: nominated
  • 2008INOCA TV-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2008Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress: Comedy: nominated
  • 2009ALMA Award-Actress in Television - Comedy: nominated
  • 2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2009Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2009Imagen Award-Best Actress/Television: winner
  • 2009Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actress: nominated
  • 2009OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2009Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress: Comedy: nominated
  • 2010Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2010Imagen Award-Best Actress - Television: winner
  • 2010Imagen Award-Best Actress - Film: nominated
  • 2010Imagen Award-Best Actress - Film: nominated
  • 2011EDA Female Focus Award-Best Animated Female: winner
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014ALMA Award-Special Achievement in Film: winner
  • 2014Imagen Award-Best Actress/Supporting Actress - Feature Film: winner
  • 2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2016Imagen Award-Best Actress - Television: nominated
  • 2017Gracie-Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2017Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy TV Series: nominated
  • 2018Imagen Award-Best Actress - Television: nominated
  • 2018Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress: Comedy: nominated
  • 2019Imagen Award-Best Actress - Television: nominated
  • 2019People's Choice Award-Favorite Animated Movie Star: nominated
  • 2019Voice Arts Award-Outstanding Animation Cast - Motion Picture - Best Voiceover: winner
  • 2021Imagen Award-Best Actress - Television (Comedy): nominated
  • 2022Imagen Award-Best Director - Television: nominated
  • 2023Groundbreaker Award-: winner
  • 2023GWNYFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023MMCG Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023OAFFC Award-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 2024Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2024Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2024EDA Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2024Astra Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Windie-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2024Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2024Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actress - Feature Film: winner
  • 2024Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actress: nominated
  • 2024LEJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024People's Choice Award-The Movie Performance of the Year: winner
  • 2024PCA Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2024Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2024UFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Female: nominated
  • 2025Trailblazer Award-Latino Cinema & Television: winner