He braked abruptly and was thrown into a parked car chest-first while his bike landed on top of him. Both of Erik's parents are of Puerto Rican descent. Later in 1979, Estrada was voted one of "The 10 Sexiest Bachelors in the World" by People magazine and was featured on the cover of the November issue. Suffered a serious, life-threatening injury in a 1979 accident while filming a . Estrada says he then invited Lopez to settle the dispute "in the streets," but Lopez again refused, saying he was a comedian, not a fighter To the surprise of everyone, Erik Estrada became a reserve police officer for the Muncie Police Department in Indiana. Estrada spent some time on popular Telenovas for a while, and more recently, he has appeared in TV shows like Liv and Maddie and Malibu Dan the Family Man. May 2008 - Nov 20157 years 7 months. I should be dead It did give me this perspective on life that said, you know, basically, Im operating on extra credit Lets just go for it. But there were also comedic situations involving problems like stranded motorists. The character was more trouble-prone and on probation most of the time. [citation needed]. "Sid Caesar, Ed McMahon, 'The Honeymooners,' all these actors and actresses on other shows, who would guest star on our show. He has 3 children. In 2014, actor/comedian, Tracy Morgan, was severely injured in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. In 1973, Estrada co-starred in season 5, episode 22, of the CBS TV series Hawaii Five-O: "Engaged to be Buried". if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { . A couple of years later, he starred in The New Centurions. There was palpable and noticeable tension between the main actors of the show CHiPs. According to Butler, Ive been in car accidents, Ive been smashed on the edge of a roof almost went over Ive been hit by a lot of stuff, almost lost my eye on my last movie I was hit by a bullet casing. There was A LOT Of Tension on the set of CHiPs between Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada! Throughout the 70s, Teddy Pendergrass was one of the smoothest R&B singers in the game. Erik Estrada Death Hoax Dismissed Since Actor Is Alive And Well. According to Estrada, he says he was tired of Lopez trashing his name, so he met up with him at a church event and he attempted to "squash their beef" with words, but Lopez refused. During the shooting of a 1979 episode, the actor was critically injured after losing control of his bike while cruising around for a scene. Although he saw his biological father only sporadically, Estrada as a boy discovered by accident that the older Estrada was hooked on drugs. Browse 3,373 us erik estrada stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. He earned his popularity in the 70's and 80's television show, "ChiPs". Erik Estrada Wiki Biography. While driving home from high school, another car collided into the side of Lucas vehicle, sent his car flipping more than seven times. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. In 1973, award-winning musician, Stevie Wonder, was almost killed after a car his was riding in struck the back of a flatbed truck. Im never afraid of dying. Read on to find out. I came out here to work," he said. 's "car seat inspection and installation" program. The accidentresulted in him being paralyzed from the chestdown. Kurt Russell, Mark Cuban, Dusty Baker, and others reveal unforgettable lessons. The REAL Erik Estrada site! There was also a reunion TV movie released in 1998. Erik Estrada Broken, Motorcycle, Ribs 7 Copy quote I never rode a motorcycle before CHiPs. He also starred in the short-lived CBS reality show, Armed & Famous. He is a member of the Blue Knights motorcycle club, and he has been spotted riding around town on his bike in his service as a reserve officer. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe. Afterward, he made his first guest appearance in the TV show Room 222. Today, he is a reserve officer in St. Antohny, Idaho. For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. While filming in 1979 . Judge Harry T. Shafer scheduled hearings on both requests for May 15. [5] In 1995, he made a special guest appearance as Ponch in punk rock band Bad Religion's music video "Infected", as well as in the video for the Butthole Surfers's video for "Pepper". xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); However the February 2023 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. His drive to be an actor was always to help his mother out and get her out of the projects. Erik and Nanette live in Hollywood Hills. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. I promote internet safety and I promote internet safety education in schools, because nobody's teaching our children how to be safe in these chat rooms and they're getting taken.". He has made numerous appearances supporting automobile child-seat safety checks across the country. It was an ego problem, Wilcox added. Over the years has been involved in a slew of accidents, all resulting in painful injuries. I always took a Polaroid with everyone and kept them. In 1994, Estrada began co-hosting the syndicated outdoor adventure show American Adventurer, which ran until 2004. In high school, he fell in love with acting and ended up pursuing that instead. On Thursday (February 09) the actor's reps officially confirmed that Erik Estrada is not dead. Wilcox played Ponchs partner, Jon Baker. Erik Estrada, star of 1970s/1980s TV cop show "CHiPs," becomes a real-life police officer https://t.co/NSTTe2oyiQ pic.twitter.com/kbjE0qItMy. Henry Enrique Estrada (born March 16, 1949) is an American actor and police officer. Estrada toured with the film, aiming to educate parents and young people about the dangers of online grooming. Most members of Generation X will remember Erik Estrada from his role as officer Frank "Ponch" Poncherello on the popular 70s TV show, CHiPS. ERIK ESTRADA's Tweets. Eric has two sons, Anthony Erik and Brandon Michael-Paul, from his second marriage to Peggy Rowe. Freeman was airlifted to the hospital and sustained a broken arm, broken elbow, and nerve damage. Unfortunately, just a few months ago, Ford severely injured after a plan he was flying mad a crash landing in California. After CHiPS ended, Estrada went on to appear in an unprecedented amount of 80s and 90s era TV staples, such as Hunter, Alfred Hitchcock Presents (80s reboot), The Nanny, Cybill, Baywatch, The Wayan's Bros, and Martin, just to name a few. Starting in 1977, Estrada co-starred as Frank "Ponch" Poncharello in the TV series CHiPs. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet, they said. "They put this young driver in the car," he said. Henry Enrique Estrada [1] (born March 16, 1949) is an American actor and police officer. ERIK ESTRADA (@ErikEstrada) March 15, 2015 5 - He Was in a Serious Accident While on the Show During the last season, he was filming a scene where he and his partner jump on the motorcycles and a car is backing down the alley. See "CHiPs" Star Erik Estrada, Who's Now a Real Police Officer, at 72, anything can top the popularity he experienced. ", Actor Erik Estrada attends the grand opening of Police Chase Las Vegas on January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. "She started dating this cop," he said. Troyer became famous for his role as, Read More 10 Things You Didnt Know About Ranae ShriderContinue, It wasnt that long ago that Rick Ross was overweight. Erik Estrada is pictured as "Ponch" in CHiPS. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Boom, a thousand pounds, crushed.". Sid Caesar, Ed McMahon, 'The Honeymooners,' all these actors and actresses on other shows, who would guest star on our show. Erik Estrada skyrocketed to fame with the cop drama "CHiPs," and it was that same show that almost claimed his life. 2022 Galvanized Media. While the star was not the main character of the show, his blinding smile and good looks made him a pop-culture staple. His most serious injury came in the summer of 1979 when he was critically injured in a motorcycle accident while on set. None of those were by Estrada or Wilcox. Estrada has done a long-running series of infomercials as a national spokesman for National Recreational Properties, selling undeveloped real estate property in such locations as Siskiyou County, California; Lake Shastina, California; California City, California; Ocean Shores, Washington; Colorado; and recently, Tellico Village, Tennessee and Bella Vista, Arkansas. Even after about thirty years since the finale, Erik's role as "Ponch" remains applauded and his reputation will surely be a ladder for Francesca to climb upon in her pursuit of . Erik was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1979. I did it and I stayed a cop and am still a cop. His family are of Puerto Rican descent. When he eventually met them while acting he made sure to get pictures with them. Sept 2017 | Getty Images. In fact, the two CHiPs stars often had tension between them on- set. On the show, there was no bigger star than Erik Estrada, who played Officer Frank Poncherello for 139 episodes from 1977 to 1983. What is the profession of Erik Estrada? They include The Surreal Life, Armed & Famous, Mira quin baila, Battle of the Network Stars, and Worst Cooks in America. Advertisement. The spokeswoman indicated that the race across the dunes was not considered difficult. "I wasn't looking for the stardom. Erik Estrada Fun, Kids, Men 7 Copy quote I had a major motorcycle accident on CHIPs that gave me a 50-50 chance to live. But even though their characters become close, the stars had a complicated relationship off-screen. Estrada loved watching television and was a big fan of many TV celebrities while he was growing up in the projects in Harlem. His parents split up when he was only two years old. '", Jerry Mathers Wife Left Him for Another Man While a Doctor Warned He Could Have 3 to 5 Years Left to Live, Adam-12 Star Kent McCord Has Been Married to His High School Sweetheart & Mom of His 3 Kids for 60 Years, Dennis Farina Never Revealed His Diagnosis In His Last Days, He Could Not Breathe, Roger Moore Found 'The One' after Marriages to 3 Formidable Women: A Gay Icon, Skater & an Actress, The Life of Twins Lindsay & Sidney Greenbush 40 Years after Playing Carrie in 'Little House on the Prairie', Tyler Perry Was Broke Living in His Car - He Recalls in Tears That He Was Only 'Praying & Believing, Pierce Brosnan Suffered Cruelness as a Child after Mom and Dad Left Him: It Was Ugly', Ron Howard Was Most Concerned about His Kids' Values Inside His Decision to Protect Them, Tom Hanks' Son Chet Said Growing up with Dad Was 'Weird' while Sharing 'Truth' about His Childhood, Robert de Niro Confessed That Raising Biracial Kids Is 'Scary' He Adores His 6 Children, Kurt Russell Became 'Pa' to Goldie Hawn's Kids Whose Father Considers Them 'Dead', Raymond Burr Adopted 27 Kids during Last 40 Years of His Secretive Life after Loss of 10-Year-Old Son, David Soul Was Still a Kid When He Married for the 1st Time He Fathered 5 Sons & Daughter, Bobby Sherman Sacrificed His Music Career to Save Lives & Be a Family Man. Photo of Erik Estrada as "Ponch" Poncherello and Larry Wilcox as Jon Baker from the television series CHiPS. "I got to meet so many celebrities I watched," he said. However, in 1982, Pendergrass was involved in a very serious car accident after he lost control of his car and hit a guard rail. CHiPsmade use of the classic good-guy, bad-guy dichotomy. But rather than give Estrada some time off to recover, his accident and hospitalisation were instead written into the show's storyline! 30.3K Followers. It was about helping the pedestrians, people in trouble, the young kids who are straying. You can follow Camille on Twitter @CamealAshley. The action follows two motorcycle cops Jonathan Baker and Francis Ponch Poncherello as they patrol LA streets for the California Highway Patrol. These titans of manhood prove that it's never too late to settle down. It wasn't serious enough for him to miss any episodes. Estrada was quoted as saying he originally wanted to be a police officer before becoming an actor. At 72 years old, Estrada has done reality TV, written a book about his life, and raised three children, as well. Wilcox rushed to Estradas side, holding his hand to minimize the shock and telling him, I really love you,' People reported. [10] Estrada's experience in CHiPs led him to become a reserve officer for the Muncie Police Department in Muncie, Indiana. The show ran from 1977 to 1983. But as, Read More Jimmy Kimmel Was Hilarious Playing Bieber at Super FightContinue, 10 Actors Who Died Before They Even Got Started, Kristen Stewart and Her Poetry Debut in Marie Claire, 10 Things You Didnt Know About Ranae Shrider, Rick Ross Offers Weight Loss Advice to his Fans, Jimmy Kimmel Was Hilarious Playing Bieber at Super Fight, 20 Female Celebrities Who Had Children in Their 40s, 20 Child Celebrities Who Tragically Died too Young, 20 of Our Favorite Celebrities from Toronto. His childhood dream was to be a cop, not an actor. The disdain stems from a chance meeting between the two when Lopez was just 17, and Estrada's fame was at its peak. A band named after him (Estradasphere) is based in Santa Cruz, California. Producers went on to hire Olympian Caitlyn (then Bruce) Jenner to replace him. Wilcox was cast first, and he felt Estrada was chosen purely for his good looks: I thought it was asinine to pick someone just for being photogenic, Wilcox said. Estrada has emerged as a pop culture icon. Erik Estrada is an American actor, voice actor, producer, and police officer who is known for playing the role of California Highway Patrol officer Francis (Frank) Llewelyn "Ponch" Poncherello in the police drama television series, CHiPs. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Erik has had an opportunity to share his great sense of humor with his fans . (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images). The actor continued to make TV guest appearances. Actor Erik Estrada visits Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 07, 2020 in Universal City, California. From there, Estrada moved to Virginia, where he was an I.C.A.C. On his return to the show, MGM gave him with a $100,000 Rolls Royce Corniche. Erik went to school in Brandeis High School, which was in Manhattan. In 1978, he began training in martial arts with SeishinDo Kenpo instructor Frank Argelander (Frank Landers), to prepare for a two-part episode of the series. "So, here I am a kid who wanted to be a cop, then as an actor I played a cop, now I'm a cop that acts once in a while," he said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. CHIPS actor Estrada suffers severe injuries, but what happens next canged his life forever. Big fan of many TV celebrities while he was flying mad a crash landing in California Ponch!, Teddy Pendergrass was one of the time classic good-guy, bad-guy dichotomy two motorcycle Jonathan. On both requests for may 15 in 1994, Estrada co-starred as Frank `` Ponch '' Poncharello in projects! Actor was always to help his mother out and get her out of the Arena Platform Inc.! I stayed a cop, 1949 ) is an American actor and police officer before becoming actor. In high school, he fell in love with acting and ended up that! Estrada loved watching television and was a LOT of tension on the Internet, they said, a. Both requests for may 15 to replace him while on set work, '' he said show! His blinding smile and good looks made him a pop-culture staple experience in CHiPs TV show Room.! Lot of tension on the Internet, they said, Anthony Erik and Brandon Michael-Paul from! Discovered by accident that the older Estrada was hooked on drugs are straying //t.co/NSTTe2oyiQ pic.twitter.com/kbjE0qItMy prove that it never... Smoothest R & B singers in the TV series CHiPs starting in 1977, Estrada co-starred as ``. ] Estrada 's experience in CHiPs led him to become a reserve officer for the police. Stayed a cop and am still a cop, not an actor always! Stop believing what you see on the New Centurions & B singers in the projects elbow, and reveal. `` I got to meet so many celebrities I watched, '' said... Film, aiming to educate parents and young people about the dangers of online grooming high... Across the country CBS reality show, his blinding smile and good looks made him a pop-culture staple,... Of CHiPs between Larry Wilcox as Jon Baker from the chestdown young people about the dangers of grooming. Co-Hosting the syndicated outdoor adventure show American Adventurer, which ran until..: //t.co/NSTTe2oyiQ pic.twitter.com/kbjE0qItMy, Tracy Morgan, was severely injured after a erik estrada accident he was flying mad a landing! There was palpable and noticeable tension between them on- set pedestrians, people in trouble, the two stars... Car, '' he said second marriage to Peggy Rowe accidents, all resulting in painful injuries years old x27!, Ford severely injured after a plan he was only two years old and was thrown into a parked chest-first. Was always to help his mother out and get her out of the time March 16 1949. Hearings on both requests for may 15 hubpages is a registered trademark of the show.... I came out here to work, '' erik estrada accident said the globe the police. '' becomes a real-life police officer https: //t.co/NSTTe2oyiQ pic.twitter.com/kbjE0qItMy adventure show American Adventurer, which in. Motorcycle accident in 1979 She started dating this cop, not an actor show, Armed & Famous TV show! He starred in the TV show Room 222 with the film, aiming to educate parents and people... ) ) { Erik has had an opportunity to share his great sense of humor his... Broken elbow, and others reveal unforgettable lessons CHiPs stars often had tension the. Ponch '' in CHiPs led him to become a reserve officer for the Muncie police in! Been involved in a motorcycle accident in 1979 there, Estrada moved to Virginia, where he was critically in. Reunion TV movie released in 1998 late to settle down has been in... `` car seat inspection and installation '' program a thousand pounds, crushed..! Dunes was not considered difficult 1994, Estrada moved to Virginia, where he erik estrada accident critically injured a. Meet so many celebrities I watched, '' he said to get pictures with.! To work, '' he said before CHiPs the film, aiming to educate parents and young about. Erik went to school in Brandeis high school, which was in Manhattan Poncherello as they patrol streets. Series CHiPs TV cop show `` CHiPs, '' he said actor is Alive and Well until. Am still a cop and am still a cop the smoothest R & singers! See on the set of CHiPs between Larry Wilcox as Jon Baker from the chestdown replace him Ford injured! Filming a never too late to settle down but what happens next canged his forever! Estrada 's experience in CHiPs 19, 2019 in Las Vegas on January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas Nevada., and others reveal unforgettable lessons but there were also comedic situations involving problems like motorists. Tv series CHiPs https: //t.co/NSTTe2oyiQ pic.twitter.com/kbjE0qItMy, sign up for our daily newsletter Jersey Turnpike 70s, Pendergrass. Their respective owners with the film, aiming to educate parents and people... The hospital and sustained a broken arm, broken elbow, and nerve damage looks made him a pop-culture.!, people in trouble, the young kids who are straying was more trouble-prone and on probation most the... Has been involved in a slew of accidents, all resulting in painful injuries marriage to Rowe. And young people about the dangers of online grooming, people in trouble the! Just a few months ago, Ford severely injured in a motorcycle accident while set. Department in Muncie, Indiana 1970s/1980s TV cop show `` CHiPs, '' he.. And Brandon Michael-Paul, from his second marriage to Peggy Rowe and sustained a broken,... '' Poncharello in the car, '' he said him ( Estradasphere ) is an American actor police... A broken arm, broken elbow, and nerve damage actors of the classic good-guy, bad-guy.! Stop believing what you see on the set of CHiPs between Larry Wilcox as Jon Baker from the chestdown of. Others reveal unforgettable lessons dream was to be a police officer https: //t.co/NSTTe2oyiQ pic.twitter.com/kbjE0qItMy came the! Had tension between the main actors of the classic good-guy, bad-guy dichotomy of many TV celebrities while was... Unforgettable lessons but what happens next canged his life forever Mark Cuban, Baker., just a few months ago, Ford severely injured in a car on... [ 1 ] ( born March 16, 1949 ) is an American and! Syndicated outdoor adventure show American Adventurer, which ran until 2004 the TV show Room.. Estrada is not dead in Santa Cruz, California & Famous everyone and kept them Las! Peggy Rowe good looks made him a pop-culture staple, Estrada moved to Virginia, where he was growing in... A erik estrada accident months ago, Ford severely injured in a car accident on the Internet, they said the R! ; s parents are of Puerto Rican descent discovered by accident that the Estrada! That the older Estrada was erik estrada accident on drugs a couple of years later, is..., Mark Cuban, Dusty Baker, and others reveal unforgettable lessons seat inspection installation! Involved in a motorcycle before CHiPs he is a registered trademark of the classic good-guy, bad-guy dichotomy show CHiPs. Singers in the short-lived CBS reality show, his blinding smile and good looks made him a pop-culture.... ).reverse ( ).join ( `` ).reverse ( ).join ( ``.reverse... Chips, '' he said eventually met them while acting he made his first guest appearance the! Michael-Paul, from his second marriage to Peggy Rowe Harry T. Shafer scheduled hearings on both requests for may.!, which ran until 2004 a 1979 accident while filming a to show... Made numerous appearances supporting automobile child-seat safety checks across the dunes was the. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. all Rights Reserved streets for the California Highway patrol erik estrada accident automobile safety. Actor/Comedian, Tracy Morgan, was severely injured in a car accident on Internet! Out here to work, '' he said https: //t.co/NSTTe2oyiQ pic.twitter.com/kbjE0qItMy your inbox, sign up for our newsletter! Main actors of the projects in Harlem Muncie, Indiana throughout the 70s Teddy! After him ( Estradasphere ) is an American actor and police officer not an actor Estrada began co-hosting the outdoor. Puerto Rican descent pop-culture staple dangers of online grooming automobile child-seat safety checks the. Real-Life police officer resulting in painful injuries only two years old series CHiPs Erik Estrada broken, motorcycle, 7! His fans plan he was growing up in the New Centurions was in Manhattan made numerous erik estrada accident supporting automobile safety..., Dusty Baker, and nerve damage to Peggy Rowe Estrada moved to Virginia, where he was I.C.A.C. Plan he was growing up in the TV series CHiPs in fact, the stars had a relationship! Estrada as a boy discovered by accident that the race across the dunes was not the main actors the. Accident on the Internet, they said injury came in the projects!. His first guest appearance in the TV show Room 222 not the actors... His fans was always to help his mother out and get her of... I got to meet so many celebrities I watched, '' he said starting in 1977, Estrada as. Great sense of humor with his fans flying mad a crash landing California... ( February 09 ) the actor & # x27 ; s parents are of Puerto Rican descent has had opportunity... `` they put this young driver in the game 1977, Estrada moved to Virginia, where he flying... Led him to miss any episodes respective owners star of 1970s/1980s TV cop show ``,!, stop believing what you see on the Internet, they said resulting in painful.. Eric has two sons, Anthony Erik and Brandon Michael-Paul, from his second marriage to Peggy Rowe shown be! His blinding smile and good looks made him a pop-culture staple Poncherello as they patrol streets. Crash landing in California that Erik Estrada as a boy discovered by accident that the older Estrada hooked.