‘Ugly Betty’ Star Eric Mabius Arrested, Mugshot Shows Visible Injury
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on February 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM EST
Eric Mabius, best known for his role as Daniel Meade on "Ugly Betty," was arrested in Florida on battery charges.
The veteran television actor was taken into custody early Thursday morning.
Eric Mabius was booked into the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center just before 6 AM.
‘Ugly Betty’ Star Eric Mabius Arrested In Florida On Battery Charges
According to TMZ, records show that Mabius is facing two misdemeanor charges: battery and resisting an officer without violence. In his mugshot, Mabius appears stone-faced, and notably, he seems to have a cut near his right eye, raising questions about the circumstances leading to his arrest.
Mabius rose to fame in the mid-to-late 1990s, appearing in a string of popular TV shows, including "Chicago Hope," "Party of Five," and "Get Real."
His breakout role came in 2006 when he starred as Daniel Meade, the charismatic but troubled editor-in-chief of Mode magazine in ABC’s award-winning dramedy "Ugly Betty." He starred in 85 episodes alongside America Ferrera, whose character, Betty Suarez, worked under Meade in the competitive fashion world.
Beyond "Ugly Betty," Mabius has had a long and diverse career, with roles in "The L Word" (as Tim Haspel), "The O.C.," "Signed," "Sealed," "Delivered," "Blue Bloods," "Franklin & Bash," "Chicago Fire," and "Outcasts." His work in both television and film has made him a recognizable face in Hollywood.
His Hallmark Success And Family Life
Since then, Mabius has become the leading star of Hallmark’s "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" franchise, which began as a TV series in 2013 and later expanded into 13 movies. In July, he spoke to PEOPLE about his deep appreciation for the project, sharing how proud he was to be part of the beloved series.
"We have such a fervent fan base. Each time we come back together to do another movie, there seems to be so much more behind it, in a lot of good ways," Mabius said just days before the premiere of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters."
He also reflected on how both the show and the cast have evolved over the years. "There's a lot of heaviness, but also so much delight in being together. I think we're in such a unique place with the show and having 11 years to evolve as human beings, getting the characters doing the same.”
Outside of Hollywood, Mabius is a devoted family man. He has been married to his wife, Ivy Sherman, since 2006, and the couple shares two sons: Maxfield, 18, and Rylan, 16.
Mabius Reflects On ‘Ugly Betty’ Cast’s Continued Success
Even years after the show’s 2010 finale, Mabius continues to celebrate the accomplishments of his former "Ugly Better" castmates.
“I had so much fun working with everyone,” he said. “I don't have a bad word to say about any single one of them.”
Although the cast doesn’t get together as often as they once did, he still follows their careers closely. He even helped introduce Ana Ortiz (Hilda Suarez) and Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina Slater) to his manager, who still represents them today.
“I mean, that's how much I love my costars,” Mabius said, adding that seeing their continued success “feels like hearing about your siblings doing really well in the world, and it's a really great feeling.”
"That kind of love for something you've created is something to strive for in life," he said. "It meant a lot to see the 'Ugly Betty' team put something into the world that made a difference and continues to make a difference in people's lives, especially for those struggling with their own identity and where they fit in the world. We showed them it’s OK to feel like a fish out of water.”
Where Is The Cast Of 'Ugly Better' Now?
Since "Ugly Betty," Ferrera earned her first Oscar nomination for "Barbie" in 2023, while Judith Light (Claire Meade) won her first Emmy for "Poker Face" that same year. Meanwhile, Becki Newton (Amanda Tanen) shines in "The Lincoln Lawyer," and Michael Urie (Marc St. James) continues his success on Broadway.
Mabius also loves that a new generation is discovering the show, saying, “[There’s] a whole new generation [of] parents who are my age introducing their kids to [it] and having a whole other type of experience watching the show together. It's really neat.”
What’s Next For Mabius?
Despite his ongoing success in television, Mabius’ recent arrest casts uncertainty over his future projects.
Details surrounding the incident and the charges remain unclear, and as of now, there has been no public statement from the actor or his representatives.
