Brea 'was just an extra' on 'Ugly Betty'

Ugly Betty bosses have stated that Michael Brea was 'just an extra' on the hit show.

Last week, Brea was arrested and charged with murder, after his mother was stabbed to death in her apartment. The actor was widely reported as starring in Ugly Betty and Step Up 3D.

Speaking to the New York Post, second assistant director for the ABC show Jim Nickas said: "[Brea] worked two days on the first episode we filmed [for] season four.

"We have 90 background actors the first day and 70 the second day. Some [posing as] restaurant staff, but mostly patrons. So it is pretty lame that the headlines have read, 'Ugly Betty actor Michael Brea'."

Nickas also said that he had "never heard of" Brea until he double-checked the show's casting records.

He added: "He has also been reported as being on Step Up 3D, which is kind of funny because my wife worked on that movie and she didn't remember him either."

The paper reports that there have been growing questions about Brea's acting background since the story of his arrest was reported in a Hollywood trade magazine last week.