Who plays Nell’s father on ABC’s ‘Not Dead Yet’? Tony Plana is back at ABC

ABC’s newest sitcom Not dead yet draws a lot of attention for its star-studded guest cast. The series focuses on an obituary writer named Nell Serrano (played by Jane the maiden alum Gina Rodriguez) who discovers she can see ghosts … which means there’s a new actor in every episode for audiences to look forward to.

However, the living characters are pretty cool too.

The seventh episode of the series, “Not Out of the Game Yet”, includes the introduction of Nell’s father when he comes to visit. Captive audiences and longtime sitcom fans instantly recognized the actor, who is a very familiar face, especially to people who love ABC sitcoms.

So, who continues to play Nell’s father Not dead yet and where are some of the many places you’ve seen him before? Read on to learn more about this acting icon.

Viewers who watched ABC from 2006 to 2010 will know actor Tony Plana from his role as Ignacio Suarez on the network’s award-winning sitcom Ugly Betty. Based on the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la feathe series was a cult hit, running for four seasons and winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Series.

Ignacio was Betty’s (America Ferrera) supportive father, who appeared in all four seasons of the show.

While he had an important role to play in the lives of Betty and her sister Hilda, Ignacio’s own stories were just as moving as those of his children.

The series included stories about Ignacio’s immigration status and quest to become a citizen of the United States, as well as how he found love again after the deaths of his wife and Betty’s mother, Rosa (who had died before the show). Ignacio was an amazing character and now Tony portrays another father figure as Nell’s father Not dead yet.

Apart from his work Ugly Betty, Tony’s career is broad. The Cuban actor/director also appeared in , opposite Gina Rodriguez Jane the maiden Season 1, Episode 4, “Chapter Four” as Father Ortega. While he only had a guest appearance in this one episode, his guest is spot on Not dead yet so much cuter!

He reunited with America Ferrera on television when he played her character, Amy’s father, Ron Sosa on NBC Supermarket.

His films on the big screen include Kevin Costner’s 1991 film JFKportrays Carlos Bringuier, an associate of Lee Harvey Oswald.

Tony has also directed several television episodes after stepping behind the camera Desperate Housewives Season 8, Episode 6, “Witch’s Lament”.

And he recently provided the voice of Kamaljiori on Prime Videos The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 proving that he is a performer of many talents.

However, audiences are more likely to recognize him for guest roles on a number of high-profile television series. Many of his recent roles have been comedy, which is no surprise given his comedic timing and ability to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Also, one of his previous roles was in an episode of one of the most iconic TV comedies of all time: The golden girls! He played the character Alvarez in the 1991 episode The Case of Libertine Belle. Comedy is clearly his forte.

While it’s too early to tell if audiences will see Nell’s dad again, hopefully he’ll make a return as Tony has developed a knack for playing the comedy dad in fresh and entertaining ways. And he’s a familiar face that audiences always look forward to!

Not Dead Yet airs Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC.