Héctor Elizondo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Héctor Elizondo
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Elizondo at the premiere for Earth in 2009
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| Born | December 22, 1936 New York City, U.S.
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| Other names | Hector Elizondo |
| Education | Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1963–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Marie Rivera
(m. 1956; div. 1957)Marie Mandry
(m. 1963; div. 1964)Carolee Campbell
(m. 1969) |
| Children | 1 |
Héctor Elizondo (born December 22, 1936) is an American actor known for his memorable roles in movies and television. You might recognize him as Joe, the friendly security chief in The Princess Diaries, or as Ed Alzate in the TV show Last Man Standing. He also played the kind hotel manager, Barney Thompson, in the famous movie Pretty Woman.
Throughout his long career, which started in 1963, Elizondo has appeared in over 80 films and many TV shows. He is a character actor, which means he is skilled at playing a wide variety of different and interesting roles. For his work, he has won several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and an Obie Award.
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Early Life and Education
Héctor Elizondo was born in New York City. His parents, Carmen and Martín, were from Puerto Rico and had Spanish roots. They moved to New York hoping for a better life. Elizondo grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
As a boy, he was talented in both music and sports. At age 10, he sang in a boys' choir. He went to the famous High School of the Performing Arts, where he focused on his creative talents. He was also a great baseball player and was even scouted by professional teams like the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1954, Elizondo started at the City College of New York, planning to become a history teacher. However, he became a father during his first year and left college to work and support his family.
Acting Career
Starting on Stage
In the early 1960s, Elizondo decided to pursue acting. He studied dance and acting in New York City. In 1965, he got his first role in an off-Broadway play, which is a type of professional theater show that is smaller than a big Broadway production.
His big break in theater came with the play Steambath. For his performance, he won an Obie Award, a special honor for people working in Off-Broadway theater. This success helped launch his career in film and television.
Movie and TV Roles
In 1974, Elizondo played a hijacker named Mr. Grey in the thriller movie The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. A year later, he starred in the TV series Popi, one of the first American shows to feature a mainly Latino cast.
During the 1980s, he began working with director Garry Marshall. They became good friends and worked on 18 movies together. One of their most famous films was Pretty Woman (1990). Even though Elizondo was only on screen for about 10 minutes, his role as the hotel manager earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He also appeared in other Marshall films like Runaway Bride and The Princess Diaries.
Famous Television Work
Elizondo is well known for his role as Dr. Phillip Watters in the medical drama Chicago Hope, which ran from 1994 to 2000. He was one of only two actors to stay with the show for its entire run. His performance won him a Primetime Emmy Award.
From 2011 to 2021, he played Ed Alzate, the boss and friend of Tim Allen's character, in the popular comedy series Last Man Standing. He also took over the role of Dr. Neven Bell, Adrian Monk's psychiatrist, in the series Monk in 2008.
Voice Acting
Elizondo has also lent his voice to many animated projects. He was the voice of the villain Bane in the movie Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. He also voiced Commissioner James Gordon in The Lego Batman Movie and Carlos Sanchez in The Book of Life. In the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, he voiced the wise and ancient spirit Wan Shi Tong.
Personal Life
Elizondo has been married to actress Carolee Campbell since 1969. He has one son from his first marriage. He and his wife live in Sherman Oaks, California.
Elizondo is proud of his Latino heritage. He has said that he chooses his roles carefully and avoids parts that are stereotypical or disrespectful. He also supports children's reading and has participated in book festivals to encourage young people to read.
Selected Filmography
Here are some of Héctor Elizondo's most well-known roles in movies and television.
Film
- The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) - as Mr. Grey
- The Flamingo Kid (1984) - as Arthur Willis
- Nothing in Common (1986) - as Charlie Gargas
- Beaches (1988) - as a Judge
- Leviathan (1989) - as G.P. Cobb
- Pretty Woman (1990) - as Barnard Thompson
- Necessary Roughness (1991) - as Coach Ed Gennero
- Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) - as Jon Flint
- Runaway Bride (1999) - as Fisher
- The Princess Diaries (2001) - as Joe
- Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003) - as Bane (voice)
- The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) - as Joe
- Georgia Rule (2007) - as Izzy
- Valentine's Day (2010) - as Edgar
- The Book of Life (2014) - as Carlos Sanchez (voice)
- The Lego Batman Movie (2017) - as Commissioner James Gordon (voice)
- Music (2021) - as George
Television
- Kojak (1973, 1976) - as Det. Nick Ferro / Carl Dettrow
- Columbo (1975) - as Hassan Salah
- Popi (1976) - as Abraham Rodriguez
- Hill Street Blues (1984) - as Inspector Joe Keenan
- The Pirates of Dark Water (1991–1993) - as Ioz (voice)
- Chicago Hope (1994–2000) - as Dr. Phillip Watters
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2006) - as Wan Shi Tong (voice)
- Grey's Anatomy (2007–2013) - as Carlos Torres
- Monk (2008–2009) - as Dr. Neven Bell
- Last Man Standing (2011–2021) - as Ed Alzate
- The Legend of Korra (2013) - as Wan Shi Tong (voice)
- Elena of Avalor (2016–2018) - as Fiero (voice)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2023) - as Romar Adell (voice)
- Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023) - as Dr. Neven Bell
Awards and Nominations
Héctor Elizondo has been recognized many times for his acting talent.
- OBIE Award
1971: Won for his performance in the play Steambath.
1997: Won, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" for Chicago Hope. He was also nominated four other times for his work in Mrs. Cage and Chicago Hope.
1991: Nominated, "Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" for Pretty Woman.
- ALMA Awards (Awards for Latino performers)
1998: Won, "Outstanding Actor in a Made-for-Television Movie" for Borrowed Hearts. 2000: Won, "Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series" for Chicago Hope.
He was nominated three times with the cast of Chicago Hope for "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series".
See also
In Spanish: Héctor Elizondo para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
