Millions watched him grow up as the fashion-loving Justin Suarez on Ugly Betty. Nearly two decades later, Mark Indelicato has a successful adult acting career, a bold personal style, and a beautiful new chapter in his love life. But the biggest surprise at his wedding was the Hollywood legend standing beside him at the altar.
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For anyone who watched Ugly Betty in the late 2000s, Mark Indelicato was unforgettable.
With his expressive face, quick wit, and love of fashion, he played Justin Suarez, the nephew of America Ferrera’s Betty.
Justin was different from the other boys around him, and he was never afraid to show it.
Now, the former child star is 32, and his life looks very different from the one audiences remember.
On October 10, 2026, Indelicato married his longtime partner, David Watson, in an outdoor ceremony attended by friends and fellow actors.
And the person who pronounced them married was none other than Jean Smart, his Emmy-winning costar from Hacks.
People.com
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1. The Little Boy Who Stole Hearts on Ugly Betty
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Born on July 16, 1994, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mark Indelicato began acting when he was young.
His breakthrough came in 2006, when he joined the cast of Ugly Betty at just 12 years old.
The series followed Betty Suarez, a young woman trying to establish herself in the glamorous and often ruthless world of fashion publishing.
Mark portrayed Justin, the son of Betty’s older sister, Hilda, played by Ana Ortiz.
Justin adored fashion, theater, and pop culture. He was sensitive, funny, and unapologetically himself.
But there was more to the character than comic relief.
As the show progressed, Justin’s journey became an important exploration of identity, acceptance, and family love.
In the final season, the character’s coming-out storyline became one of the series’ most memorable moments.
For young viewers who rarely saw characters like themselves on mainstream television, Justin represented something meaningful.
And Mark was still a teenager when he helped bring that story to the screen.
2. Growing Up While the World Watched
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Being a child actor comes with challenges that audiences rarely see.
For Mark, adolescence unfolded while millions of people were watching him on television.
His character’s personality and storylines also prompted questions about his own identity.
Years later, he reflected on the pressure of becoming a public symbol for LGBTQ+ representation at such a young age.
Although he was proud of Justin’s cultural significance, being associated with a character’s identity did not mean he was obligated to discuss every aspect of his personal life.
In interviews, he has explained that his own coming-out experience was shaped by a supportive family.
His parents accepted him when he came out as gay during high school.
Their response helped him understand that his sexuality was one part of who he was, rather than something that needed to define his entire life.
People.com
3. What Happened After Ugly Betty Ended?
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When Ugly Betty ended in 2010, Mark faced the challenge that confronts many successful child actors: finding an identity beyond the role that made him famous.
Rather than disappearing, he gradually built a career that reflected his changing interests.
He explored acting, fashion, and creative projects while transitioning into adulthood.
In 2016, he appeared in the supernatural horror series Dead of Summer.
But another major television opportunity would eventually introduce him to a completely new audience.
4. His Big Comeback on Hacks
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In 2021, Mark joined the cast of HBO’s acclaimed comedy-drama Hacks.
He played Damien, the loyal assistant to legendary comedian Deborah Vance, portrayed by Jean Smart.
The role was a major departure from his childhood television work.
Instead of playing an adolescent discovering himself, Mark portrayed an adult navigating a demanding career in entertainment.
His comedic timing and chemistry with Smart helped make Damien a memorable supporting character.
The series ran for five seasons, concluding in 2026.
For Mark, Hacks became more than another acting credit. It also brought him into a close-knit creative community that would eventually play an extraordinary role in his personal life.
5. From a Teenage Coming-Out Story to Living Openly as an Adult
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One of the most significant aspects of Mark’s journey has been his willingness to discuss LGBTQ+ representation.
In a May 2022 interview with Out, he reflected on coming out to his parents while in high school.
He described their reaction as supportive and accepting.
He also praised Hacks for portraying LGBTQ+ characters whose sexuality was not always the central source of conflict.
For Mark, that kind of representation reflected an important change in television storytelling.
His own fashion choices have also attracted attention.
From dramatic makeup to unconventional red-carpet outfits, he has embraced an expressive personal style that contrasts with the image many viewers remember from his childhood.
But those choices are only one part of his identity.
His acting career, friendships, and personal milestones tell a much fuller story.
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6. The Wedding Nobody Expected — and the Famous Woman at the Altar
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On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Mark married his partner, David Watson, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony.
The celebration included a familiar face in a particularly important role.
Jean Smart, the actress who played Mark’s boss on Hacks, officiated the wedding.
Videos shared by cast members showed Smart standing before the couple and leading them through their vows.
After both men exchanged their promises, Smart officially pronounced them husband and husband.
The newlyweds kissed as their friends celebrated.
It was a touching moment that brought together Mark’s personal happiness and his professional family.
The ceremony was widely reported by People and other entertainment outlets.
People.com
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7. The Wedding Details That Made the Day Even More Special
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Mark and David wore coordinating black suits with white shirts for their ceremony.
After exchanging vows, they celebrated with a first dance to Paul McCrane’s Is It Okay If I Call You Mine?
The guest list included several Hacks stars, among them Hannah Einbinder, Johnny Sibilly, Meg Stalter, and Poppy Liu.
Series co-creators Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello were also present.
Downs shared a group photograph celebrating the newlyweds and the enduring friendships formed through the show.
The celebration became an unexpected Hacks reunion, just months after the series concluded.
LGBTQ Nation
8. Then and Now: Mark Indelicato’s Transformation in Photos
2006 — The child starHis breakthrough as Justin Suarez on Ugly Betty.
2009 — Growing up on televisionMark during the later years of his first major series.
2021 — A new chapterHis adult television career gained fresh momentum.
2025 — Red-carpet confidenceHis personal style became increasingly expressive.
2026 — A bold new lookA striking appearance that reflects his love of fashion.
October 2026 — Married!Mark and David celebrated their marriage surrounded by loved ones.
9. Why His Journey Means So Much to Fans
For audiences who grew up watching Ugly Betty, Mark’s wedding represents a particularly meaningful milestone.
They first met him as a young actor portraying a boy who loved fashion and gradually learned to embrace his identity.
Today, Mark is an established adult performer who has openly discussed his experiences and built a life beyond the character that made him famous.
His story also reflects how television has changed.
When Ugly Betty premiered in 2006, LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream family-oriented television was still developing.
Two decades later, Mark was appearing in an acclaimed comedy where LGBTQ+ characters could exist without every storyline revolving around their sexuality.
His personal and professional journeys have unfolded alongside that cultural shift.
10. A Happy Ending — and an Exciting New Beginning
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There is something especially moving about watching a former child star reach a major personal milestone.
Mark Indelicato first entered millions of homes as a 12-year-old actor.
Now, at 32, he has a successful television career, a distinctive public identity, and a husband with whom to share the next chapter of his life.
And perhaps the most delightful detail is that the actress who played his demanding television boss became the person who married him in real life.
From Justin Suarez on Ugly Betty to a newlywed celebrating with his Hacks family, Mark Indelicato’s story has come full circle in a way few fans could have imagined.
The child star audiences once knew has grown into an actor whose life is entirely his own.
For more unexpected transformations, catch up on Marla Maples’s life away from the spotlight and see which ’90s heartthrob is turning heads at 63; you can also read Karoline Leavitt’s response to questions about leaving the White House.
