Erik Estrada

Henry Enrique Estrada (born March 16, 1949) is an American actor and police officer. He is known for his co-starring lead role as California Highway Patrol officer Francis (Frank) Llewelyn "Ponch" Poncherello in the police drama television series CHiPs, which ran from 1977 to 1983. He later became known for his work in Spanish-language telenovelas, his appearances in reality television shows and infomercials and as a regular voice on the Adult Swim series Sealab 2021. Early life Estrada was born on March 16, 1949, in East Harlem, Manhattan, New York, the son of Carmen Moreno, a seamstress, and Renildo Estrada. His parents are of Puerto Rican descent. Growing up, he thought about becoming a police officer but turned to acting after joining the drama club at Louis D. Brandeis High School. Career 1970–2000 In 1970, Estrada made his film debut in the role of Nicky Cruz, alongside Pat Boone, in the independent film, The Cross and the Switchblade. In 1972, he appeared in a small role as a police officer in The New Centurions, which was followed by a significant role in a major motion picture, the Jack Smight disaster film, Airport 1975, where he played Julio, the womanizing flight engineer on a Boeing 747. The following year, he again worked with Smight in the successful military historical epic Midway, as a fictional airman Ens. "Chili Bean" Ramos.