Erik Estrada

Erik Estrada captured the hearts of millions of fans world-wide as a result of his six year run starring as highway patrol officer Frank Poncherello in the highly successful television series, CHiP's.  Also appearing in numerous other television and motion picture roles, the role he most prefers and enjoys is that of a role model to millions of children throughout the world.

Erik's first real acting break came when actor/director Don Murray selected him to star as a streetwise character opposite Pat Boone in the true story, The Cross and the Switchblade.  The movie is still shown every week at about 500 youth centers across the country because of its powerful anti-drug and life-changing 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 borrowed some relentless persistence he finally landed the part. Important roles soon followed in such classic films as Airport '75 (starring Charlton Heston and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.), Midway (starring Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, and Robert Wagner), and Trackdown, as well as guest starring in virtually every top dramatic television series like Hawaii Five-O, Baretta, and The Six Million Dollar Man.

Then came one of the biggest hit shows of the late 70's early 80's, CHiP's, and within a short time its popularity made Erik an international household name and the "King of Hunkdom".

During a seasonal CHiP's hiatus he starred and produced the NBC Movie of the week Honey Boy for his own production company, the story was a ratings knockout and was about boxing, ambition, betrayal, and forbidden love. Estrada played a young fighter who gets discovered by beautiful Morgan Fairchild. And it isn't long before Erik's romantically involved with her. (Once again audiences loved Erik and the movie won critical acclaim). The movie was noted for some of the best fight scenes ever on the screen done by Ron Stein, who did the boxing sequences in Rocky III and Raging Bull. When CHiP's 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.

Erik also appeared in Armed & Famous, a reality series that turned celebrities into crime fighters, following five brave stars through the Police Academy and onto patrol in Muncie, Indiana.