Bradford Meade (Ugly Betty)

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Bradford Meade
First appearance	I Am Not Going To Sell Herbalux
Last appearance	TBA
Statistics
Gender	Male
Age	late 50s (est.)
Occupation	Publisher
Title	President/CEO
Spouse	Claire Meade (wife)
Children	Daniel Meade (son) Alex Meade (son; Deceased)
Portrayed by	Alan Dale
Created by	Silvio Horta

Bradford Meade is a fictional character in the American dramedy series Ugly Betty. He is played by Alan Dale.

[edit] Background

Bradford Meade is a famous publishing mogul whose company owns the magazine he helped launched, MODE. He is also the father of Daniel Meade, the womanizing editor-in-chief.

Bradford also was responsible for making major changes at the magazine after the mysterious death of chief editor Fey Sommers, including handing over the day-to-day operations to the inexperienced Daniel. He was also responsible for getting Betty Suarez hired as Daniel's personal assistant because he belives Betty is the only woman in New York City that Daniel will never ever sleep with.

Bradford's decision to put Daniel in charge and to make Betty his assistant are reasons alone for assistant editor Wilhelmina Slater -- who wanted the editor-in-chief job -- to plot against them in an effort to manipulate Bradford into reconsidering her for the top job.

However, Bradford is also skeptical about Fey's death. He had tampered with the steering wheel in her car and she later died in a car accident. After noticing Fey's casket was closed at her funeral, he hired a private detective, Steve, to find out any information that could implicate him and whether she faked her death. Prior to her death, Bradford and Fey had an affair and later he broke into her apartment and retrieved a photo of them together. After the funeral, he burned the photo to hide it from Daniel and Bradford's estranged wife.

Bradford has shown signs of being more sinister after learning that Fey is still alive and that Steve was actually working for her. In turn, he hired a henchman, Mr. Green, to "clean up messes" starting with Mr. Green burying Steve in Fey's empty tomb. Bradford plans to step up his scheme to bring Fey out into the open by any means, dead or alive.

[edit] Connections

Betty Suarez - Assistant editor; He was responsible for getting Betty the job so she can keep Daniel from hiring attractive women that he'll sleep with. Her knowledge has helped Daniel succeed in their roles at MODE, which also pleased Bradford.
Fey Sommers - Former Editor-In-Chief; He had a 20-year affair with her and is under suspicion because he tampered with the steering on her car at the time of her death. He believes that she is alive, thus prompting him to resort to sinister measures to expose her hoax.
Wilhelmina Slater - Creative Editor at MODE; After being passed over for the role as the editor-in-chief, she has secretly sought revenge by teaming up with the mystery woman to drive a wedge between him and Daniel, as well as using manipulation tatics to convince him that she is the right person for the job.
Daniel Meade - His son Editor-In-Chief at MODE; Despite handing the job to him, Daniel is not so sure that he can live up to the challenge, but has gained his trust even though the two have shown signs of a rift in their relationship, which is being fueled by Wilhelmina.
Claire Meade - Bradford's wife; Has been in and out of rehab due to her drinking problem, which was brought on by Bradford's affair with Fey. Athough they are estranged, the two are still married.
Sofia Reyes - Author and Editor-In-Chief of sister publication MYW; Bradford hired her to help launch a new magazine and was the one who gave the newly created position.
Steve - Private detective; Was hired by Bradford to investigate Fey's death, only to discover that he was working for Fey.
Mr. Green - Bradford's henchman; Loyal to Bradford, his job is to "Clean up messes," starting with disposing of Steve in the cemetary.