America Ferrera is a highly acclaimed American actress, director, and producer. Her exceptional work has earned her prestigious awards such as a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, along with an Academy Award nomination. Her influence extends beyond entertainment, as evidenced by her inclusion in Time's 100 most influential people in 2007 and BBC's 100 Women list in 2023.
April 18, 1984: Birth of America Ferrera
America Ferrera was born on April 18, 1984.
1999: Premiere of "Yo soy Betty, la fea"
The Colombian telenovela "Yo soy Betty, la fea" premiered in 1999.
2001: Conclusion of "Yo soy Betty, la fea"
The Colombian telenovela "Yo soy Betty, la fea" concluded in 2001.
July 2002: Television Debut in "Gotta Kick It Up!"
America Ferrera made her television debut in July 2002 with the Disney Channel film "Gotta Kick It Up!"
2002: Film Debut in "Real Women Have Curves"
America Ferrera made her feature film debut in 2002 with the comedy-drama "Real Women Have Curves," garnering positive reviews for her performance.
December 2005: Off-Broadway Debut in "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead"
In December 2005, America Ferrera made her Off-Broadway debut in the play "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead," directed by Trip Cullman.
2005: Appearance in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"
America Ferrera appeared in the comedy-drama "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" in 2005.
2005: America Ferrera Meets Ryan Piers Williams
America Ferrera first crossed paths with Ryan Piers Williams in 2005 when he cast her in one of his student films at USC.
2005: Release of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"
America Ferrera starred as Carmen in the 2005 film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."
2006: "Ugly Betty" Premieres
"Ugly Betty," the American adaptation of the Colombian telenovela "Yo soy Betty, la fea" (1999-2001), premiered in 2006.
2006: Appearance in Short Film "3:52" and Feature Film "Steel City"
America Ferrera appeared in the short film "3:52," which won the Audience Award at the San Diego Women Film Festival in 2006. That same year, she was also featured in the movie "Steel City."
2006: Breakthrough Role in "Ugly Betty"
America Ferrera's career reached new heights in 2006 when she landed the lead role of Betty Suarez in the ABC comedy-drama series "Ugly Betty."
2007: Award-Winning Performance in "Ugly Betty"
America Ferrera's performance in "Ugly Betty" earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2007, making her the first Latina woman to win the Outstanding Lead Actress Award.
2007: America Ferrera Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2007, Time magazine recognized America Ferrera's impact by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2007: Recognition and Accolades for America Ferrera
In 2007, following her Golden Globe win, Ferrera received congratulations from Hilda L. Solis in the United States House of Representatives, recognizing her contribution to breaking stereotypes and inspiring young Latinas. Time magazine included Ferrera in their 2007 list of the 100 most influential people in the world. She also received the Imagen Foundation's Creative Achievement Award.
2008: Release of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2"
America Ferrera reprised her role as Carmen in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" in 2008.
2008: America Ferrera Supports Hillary Clinton in Presidential Primaries
America Ferrera showed her political activism during the 2008 presidential primaries by joining Chelsea Clinton and Amber Tamblyn in leading the Hillblazers, an organization backing Hillary Clinton's campaign.
June 2010: America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams Get Engaged
Ryan Piers Williams proposed to America Ferrera, and the couple got engaged in June 2010.
2010: Premiere of "The Dry Land" and Release of "How to Train Your Dragon"
"The Dry Land," featuring America Ferrera, premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and was screened at the Dallas International Film Festival, where it received the top prize in the Filmmaker Award for Best Narrative Feature. Ferrera also voiced the character of Astrid in the animated film "How to Train Your Dragon," which was released the same year.
2010: Conclusion of "Ugly Betty"
After a successful run, "Ugly Betty" concluded in 2010.
2010: Death of America Ferrera's Father
America Ferrera's father passed away in Honduras in 2010.
2010: Release of "The Dry Land" and Premiere of "How to Train Your Dragon"
In 2010, America Ferrera starred in the drama "The Dry Land." She also lent her voice to the character of Astrid in the animated film "How to Train Your Dragon," which was released the same year.
2010: Development of "Pedro & Maria" at MTV
The series "Pedro & Maria" had been under development at MTV since 2010, with America Ferrera initially involved as a director on the project.
June 27, 2011: America Ferrera Marries Ryan Piers Williams
America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams were married on June 27, 2011.
November 7, 2011: London Stage Debut in "Chicago"
America Ferrera made her London stage debut on November 7, 2011, playing Roxie Hart in the musical "Chicago" in London's West End.
2012: America Ferrera Attends Democratic National Convention
America Ferrera attended the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2012.
2012: Appearance in "End of Watch"
America Ferrera took on a role in the crime drama "End of Watch" in 2012.
2012: Featured in Documentary "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide"
America Ferrera was featured in the four-hour documentary "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," which premiered on PBS on October 1 and 2, 2012.
April 12, 2013: Limited Release of "It's a Disaster"
The dark comedy "It's a Disaster," starring America Ferrera, David Cross, and Julia Stiles, had a limited commercial release on April 12, 2013.
May 2013: America Ferrera Completes Bachelor's Degree
America Ferrera completed her bachelor's degree in May 2013.
May 17, 2013: Casting in Telenovela "Pedro & Maria"
On May 17, 2013, ABC announced America Ferrera's casting in the limited-run telenovela "Pedro & Maria," a modern-day adaptation of Romeo and Juliet set in Washington, D.C.
March 16, 2015: Joins Cast of "Superstore"
America Ferrera joined the cast of the NBC sitcom "Superstore" on March 16, 2015, portraying Amy, a seasoned floor supervisor at the fictional Cloud 9 superstore.
2015: Start of "Superstore"
America Ferrera began both starring in and co-producing the NBC workplace comedy series "Superstore" in 2015.
2015: America Ferrera Narrates Disney's Candlelight Processional
America Ferrera showcased her vocal talents in 2015 as a guest narrator for Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.
2016: America Ferrera Addresses Delegates at Democratic National Convention
America Ferrera participated in the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where she took the stage as a speaker alongside Lena Dunham to address the convention's delegates.
January 21, 2017: America Ferrera Delivers Opening Speech at Women's March on Washington
America Ferrera was chosen as the opening speaker for the Women's March on Washington, delivering her address on January 21, 2017.
October 2017: America Ferrera Joins #MeToo Movement
America Ferrera joined the #MeToo movement in October 2017, publicly sharing her experience of being sexually harassed at the age of nine, though she did not disclose any specific details about the incident or the harasser.
January 1, 2018: America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams Announce Pregnancy
America Ferrera and her husband, Ryan Piers Williams, announced they were expecting their first child together on January 1, 2018.
January 2018: America Ferrera Becomes Founding Member of Time's Up
In January 2018, America Ferrera became one of the founding members of Time's Up, a legal defense fund established to combat sexual harassment and assault.
May 29, 2018: America Ferrera Gives Birth to Son, Sebastian
America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams welcomed their son, Sebastian, in May 2018, announcing the birth on Instagram on May 29, 2018.
June 30, 2018: America Ferrera Speaks at Families Belong Together Protest
On June 30, 2018, America Ferrera lent her voice to the Families Belong Together protest, delivering a speech at the event.
2018: America Ferrera Publishes Anthology "American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures"
America Ferrera added "published author" to her list of accomplishments in 2018 with the release of her anthology, "American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures," through Gallery Publishing Group.
February 2019: America Ferrera Joins "Gentefied" as Executive Producer and Director
In February 2019, it was revealed that America Ferrera would take on roles as both an executive producer and director for the Netflix comedy-drama series "Gentefied."
April 2019: America Ferrera Delivers TEDTalk "My Identity is a Superpower"
In April 2019, America Ferrera shared her insights in a TEDTalk titled "My Identity is a Superpower."
2019: Conclusion of "How to Train Your Dragon" Franchise
America Ferrera's involvement in the "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise concluded in 2019.
February 21, 2020: "Gentefied" Premieres on Netflix
On February 21, 2020, the Netflix comedy-drama series "Gentefied," which America Ferrera executive produced and directed, premiered.
February 28, 2020: America Ferrera Announces Departure from "Superstore"
NBC announced that America Ferrera would be leaving "Superstore" at the end of the fifth season on February 28, 2020.
May 4, 2020: America Ferrera Gives Birth to Daughter, Lucia
America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams welcomed their daughter, Lucia, on May 4, 2020.
June 27, 2020: America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams Celebrate 15 Years Together
America Ferrera marked her 15th anniversary with Ryan Piers Williams on June 27, 2020.
July 2020: America Ferrera Invests in Los Angeles-Based Women's Soccer Team
As an advocate for women in sports, America Ferrera joined a group of investors in July 2020 to secure a Los Angeles-based franchise in the National Women's Soccer League, which later became Angel City FC.
2020: America Ferrera and Eva Longoria Encourage Latino Voter Participation
Throughout 2020, America Ferrera remained actively involved in encouraging Latino voter participation in the United States, working with organizations like Voto Latino, appearing on news programs, and partnering with Eva Longoria on their digital platform, She Se Puede, to mobilize Latina voters.
February 2021: America Ferrera to Make Feature Film Directorial Debut
News broke in February 2021 that America Ferrera would be making her feature-length directorial debut with "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," an adaptation of Erika L. Sánchez's novel.
March 10, 2021: America Ferrera to Return for "Superstore" Finale
NBC announced on March 10, 2021, that America Ferrera would return for the one-hour series finale of "Superstore."
2021: Departure From and Return for Finale of "Superstore"
In 2021, America Ferrera departed from her role in "Superstore" but returned for the show's one-hour series finale.
2022: Angel City FC Begins Play in NWSL
Angel City FC, the Los Angeles-based women's soccer team America Ferrera invested in, began competing in the National Women's Soccer League in 2022.
2023: America Ferrera Featured in BBC's 100 Women List
America Ferrera's influence continued to be acknowledged in 2023 when she was included in BBC's prestigious 100 Women list.
2023: Academy Award Nomination for "Barbie"
America Ferrera's performance in the fantasy comedy "Barbie" in 2023 earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2023: America Ferrera Stars in "Barbie" and Receives Academy Award Nomination
In 2023, America Ferrera appeared in the movie "Barbie." Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
February 2024: America Ferrera to Star in and Executive Produce Amazon Series About Ana Mendieta
It was announced in February 2024 that America Ferrera would both star in and executive produce an Amazon Prime Video series centered around the life of artist Ana Mendieta.
May 2024: America Ferrera Named IOM Global Goodwill Ambassador
America Ferrera's dedication to humanitarian work was recognized in May 2024 when she was appointed IOM Global Goodwill Ambassador.