Salma Hayek sits pretty with ABC deal

By Tatiana Siegel and Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - On the heels of the success of ABC's "Ugly Betty," executive producer Salma Hayek has signed an overall deal with the studio behind the freshman comedy-drama.

Under the two-year pact with ABC Studios, Hayek and producing partner Jose Tamez will develop new series projects for the studio through their company, Ventanarosa Prods.

"Ugly Betty," which is based on the blockbuster Colombian telenovela "Betty La Fea," has been a passion project for Hayek, who was a famous telenovela star in her native Mexico before moving to Hollywood in the early 1990s, and Tamez, a former telenovela producer. Hayek was instrumental in casting America Ferrera to play the lead and also had a recurring role on the show this past season.

The two are executive producing the series with creator Silvio Horta, Ben Silverman, James Hayman and Marco Pennette.

The deal with ABC Studios marks the first overall TV pact for Hayek and Tamez, who have been ramping up their producing efforts.

Last month, the duo launched a film company, Ventanazul, in partnership with MGM to develop, produce and acquire mainstream films that either draw on Latin themes or feature Latin talent.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter