| Erik
Estrada |
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Erik
Estrada’s talents and personality have captured the imagination of
audiences worldwide for two generations as a result of his six year
starring role in the world renowned television series, CHiPs.
Erik is being discovered by a whole new generation and culture who know
him as “Johnny” from the #1 rated international series for Televisa
entitled Dos Mujeres, Un Camino. The series premiered
at #1 and remains at the top of the ratings in the U.S., Mexico and
throughout Latin America. Erik received an ACE award (Latin Press)
for Outstanding Leading Man for his role on the series. Last July he
was honored with an Golden Angel award for Lifetime Achievement in
Television at The First International Television Films Festival in Nice,
France. Erik has emerged as a pop culture icon having been honored
by Berkley University Popular culture Society for his lifetime
achievements in television. |
| Last Year Erik starred in CHiPs
99 for TNT which was the #2 highest rated original Turner Movie
ever. Rick Rosner, the creator of CHiPs, co-wrote and
produced the reunion movie, which brought together all of the cast members
for one great ride. He also appeared in multiple episodes of Popular for the WB with Delta Burke. His recent comedy credits include Arli$$, Beggars and Choosers, Brothers Garcia, For Your Love, Shasta McNasty and an independent film, Up Michigan!!. Erik currently is the co-host with Laura McKenzie of American Adventurer, which is an exciting syndicated travel-adventure series seen throughout the United States and Europe. His success is all the more impressive since he was raised in a section of Manhattan’s Upper East Side known as Spanish Harlem. erik has written his autobiography, which tells his incredible story, Erik Estrada...My Road from Harlem to Hollywood, which was published by William Morrow Books. Erik decided at an early age to become a New York city policeman through the influence of a family friend. However, he enrolled in his high school Drama Club to “get close” to a girl he admired and landed the lead role in a play. He was soon chosen to participate in Mayor John Lindsay’s Community Theater Program, The Heritage Workshop. “We were paid $32 dollars a week, plus lunch, and we were given classes in drama, dance, singing and just about every other area of the performing arts. I stayed with the program for two years, performing in the streets all over the city. It was rough, but it was good training. We even took the shows to Chicago”. His first real acting break came when actor/director Don Murray selected him to star as a streetwise character opposite Pat Boone in The Cross and the Switchblade, a film that is still shown every week at about 500 youth centers across the country because of it’s powerful anti-drug message. Following that film, he was convinced that the role of Sergio, a rookie policeman in The New Centurions with George C. Scott was perfect for him, but the producers did not agree. Undaunted, erik finally landed the part. Important roles soon followed in such films as Airport ‘75, Midway and Trackdown, as well as guest starring in virtually every top dramatic television series. Then CHiPs came, and within a short time, its popularity made Erik an international household name. The now legendary series airs throughout the world to this day. He receives bundles of fan mail from all over the world where audiences love ‘Ponch”. When CHiPs completed its six year run, Erik took the opportunity to return to his acting roots in New York to star in a successful limited engagement in the Off-Broadway production of True West at the famed Cherry Lane Theater. He has numerous feature and TV movie credits and has had the opportunity to work with many legends during his 30-year career. He has guest-starred in episodes of Son of the Beach, Tracey Takes On!!, VIP, Diagnosis: Murder, Martin, Homeboys From Outerspace, Pauly, Unhappily Ever After, High Society, The Cosby Mysteries, Burkes Law, Cybill and The Nanny, which earned the highest rating that CBS had in that time slot in the past two years. Erik has a wild sense of humor and has had the pleasure to appear in three music videos for Bad Religion, The Butthole Surfers, Less Than Jake which his young fans have seen and their response in “very cool!!” He has participated in HBO’s Latino Laugh Festival in San Antonio, Texas for the past two years. With his own mother in the audience, erik appeared in full drag as his mother on the Comedy Central show, Viva Variety. As an icon from another era of programming, Erik has fun entertaining a whole new generation of young people that consider his a cult hero. Community service and outreach programs have enlisted Erik’s participation for the community. He is the national “good-wheel” ambassador to The March of Dimes and has been an active participant in events for Aids Project Los Angeles (APLA) and Project Inform. Because of his love for his children, as well as young people throughout the world, erik has spent countless hours lending his support to charities such as Boy Scouts of America, The Police Athletic League, Big Brothers and Special Olympics, United Way, Amer-I-Can, Make A Wish Foundation and has been named The International “Face of D.A.R.E.” Ambassador, which is a school based educational program that teaches from kindergarten through high school how to avoid becoming involved in drugs, gangs or violence. Off-screen he resides in the Hollywood Hills and prides himself as a home handyman and is constantly doing things around the house. He is the father of two sons, Anthony Erik, Brandon Michael-Paul and has a new daughter, Francesca Natalia with his wife, Nanette. Erik enjoys tennis, golf and daily workouts at the gym. While he works hard, erik is known by his friends as vulnerable, outrageous and to posses a terrific sense of humor that pervades everything he does. Erik’s autobiography is currently available in bookstores. |