Erik Estrada is a police officer and an actor from the United States. Estrada is best recognized for his portrayal of California Highway Patrol officer Francis in the television drama series ‘CHiPs.’ The series aired from 1977 until 1983.
Estrada rose to prominence after appearing in Spanish-language telenovelas, reality television shows, and infomercials, as well as as a frequent voice on the Adult Swim comedy ‘Sealab 2021.’
Bio
| Age: | 73 |
| Born: | March 16, 1949 |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Actor |
Early Life and Beginnings of Career
Henry Enrique Estrada was born Erik Estrada in East Harlem, Manhattan, New York, in 1949. Carmen Moreno and Renaldo Estrada, both of Puerto Rican heritage, were his parents.
In 1970, Estrada made his big-screen debut alongside Pat Boone in the film adaption of “The Cross and the Switchblade.”
Two years later, he appeared in the Christian-themed picture “The Ballad of Billie Blue” and co-starred with George C. Scott and Stacy Keach in “The New Centurions” as an LAPD cop.
In 1973, Estrada made his television debut when he appeared in an episode of the fifth season of “Hawaii Five-O” on CBS.
“CHiPs” and the Telenovela Industry
Throughout the 1970s, Estrada continued to appear on popular television programs such as “Emergency!,” “Kojak,” “Mannix,” “Medical Center,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and “Barnaby Jones.” In 1977, he was cast as Frank “Ponch” Poncherello in the lead role of the crime drama series “CHiPs.”
This was his most significant and well-known role. The show, which portrayed the lives of two motorcycle troopers with the California Highway Patrol, aired for six seasons from 1977 and 1983.
In 1979, during the production of a scenario, Estrada was severely injured when he was thrown from his 600-pound motorcycle, suffering broken wrists and multiple rib fractures. People Magazine later that year called Estrada one of the “10 Sexiest Bachelors.”
In 1987, Estrada returned to television by starring in a three-part episode of the NBC police drama “Hunter.”
In the same year, he starred in the telenovela Rosa Salvaje. The actor’s most prominent telenovela role was in “Dos mujeres, un camino” in 1993. Costarring alongside Mexican actors and singers Bibi Gaytán and Laura Leon, Estrada portrayed Tijuana truck driver Johnny.
“Dos Mujeres, un Camino” was scheduled to air 100 episodes but ended up airing over 200, becoming one of the most popular telenovelas in Latin American television history. According to reports, Estrada was paid 1 million pesos for his role.
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Later Television Profession
Following the conclusion of “Dos Mujeres, un Camino,” Estrada began cohosting “American Adventurer,” a syndicated outdoor adventure show that ran until 2004.
He appeared on “Cybill,” “Pauly,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Over the Top,” “Baywatch,” and “Homeboys in Outer Space” throughout the 1990s.
At the end of the decade, he reprised his part as Frank Poncherello in TNT’s made-for-television film sequel “CHiPs ’99” and also provided his voice for “King of the Hill” and “Family Guy.”
Estrada debuted on the CBS daytime serial opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 2001. In addition, he secured a recurring voiced part on Cartoon Network’s adult cartoon series “Sealab 2021.”
During this period, he also appeared on “American Family,” “Drake & Josh,” “Scrubs,” and “According to Jim.” Estrada has additionally worked on infomercials for National Recreational Properties and advertisements for Burger King.
Erik Estrada’s Net Worth
Erik Estrada is a reserve police officer and American actor with a net worth of $4 million. Erik Estrada is best known for playing California Highway Patrol officer Frank Poncherello in the NBC police drama ChiPs.
Later, he participated in a handful of Spanish-language telenovelas, as well as numerous television series, infomercials, and reality TV shows. Estrada has additionally appeared in the films “Hour of the Assassin,” “Caged Fury,” and “The Naked Truth.”
Film Industry
In the 1970s, Estrada acted in a number of films, including “Airport 1975,” “Trackdown,” and the military film “Midway.”
In the 1980s, he played alongside Tony Curtis and Orson Welles in the British comedy “Where is Parsifal? “, the Italian science-fiction thriller “Light Blast,” the action drama “Hour of the Assassin,” and “Alien Seed.”
“A Show of Force,” “Caged Fury,” “Guns,” “Do or Die,” “The Naked Truth,” and “Shattered Dreams” were all released in the 1990s.
Estrada acted in “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder,” “Border Blues,” and “Mother Goose Parade” in the 2000s.
In the 2013 film “Finding Faith,” in which a teenager is kidnapped after meeting someone online, he portrayed Sheriff Brown. Subsequent roles include “Virtuous,” a Christian drama, and “El Americano: The Movie,” a Mexican-American animated family picture.
Activism and Enforcement of the Law
In the year 2000, Estrada became the international face of D.A.R.E., a drug prevention education campaign.
In addition, he has pushed for organizations such as the American Heart Association, the United Way, and the C.H.P. Foundation, which assists the families of California Highway Patrol officers.
He is also a spokesperson for CHP’s car seat installation and inspection program. Due to his acting experience on “CHiPs,” Estrada joined the Muncie, Indiana police force as a reserve officer.
Following this, he spent eight years as an investigator in Bedford County, Virginia, working to prevent cyber crimes against children. In 2016, he again joined the reserve police force, this time in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Personal Life
In 1979, Estrada wed Joyce Miller; the couple split the following year. Next, in 1985, he wed singer and entertainment executive Peggy Lynn Rowe.
They separated in 1990 after having two boys, Anthony Erik and Brandon Michael-Paul. 1997 marked Estrada’s third marriage to film sound technician Nanette Mirkovich. Francesca Natalia, their daughter, was born in 2000.