Fan mail address
Erik Estrada
3768 Eureka Dr
Studio City, CA 91604-3104
USA
Address information
(Home Address)
3768 Eureka Dr
Studio City, CA 91604-3104
USA
Erik Estrada is an American actor, best known for his role as Officer Frank Poncherello on the hit 1970s television series CHiPs, which aired from 1977 to 1983. Born on March 16, 1949, in New York City, Estrada was raised in the Bronx and later moved to California, where he pursued acting.
Estrada’s early interest in acting was sparked during his youth, and he began taking acting classes in his late teens. Before breaking into television and film, he worked a variety of odd jobs, including being a bodyguard. He initially appeared in smaller roles on television, gaining some attention with his guest appearances on popular shows in the 1970s, including The Rookies and Emergency!
Estrada’s breakthrough role came in 1977 when he was cast as Officer Frank “Ponch” Poncherello in CHiPs, a popular police procedural drama that followed the lives of two California Highway Patrol officers. His character, a smooth-talking and charming cop, became an icon of the era. CHiPs enjoyed success, running for six seasons, and making Estrada a household name. The show was known for its action-packed sequences, including high-speed chases, as well as its light-hearted, buddy-cop dynamic between Estrada and co-star Larry Wilcox (Officer Jon Baker). The show cemented Estrada’s place in pop culture and remains a beloved classic.
After CHiPs ended, Estrada continued his acting career, though he found it difficult to match the fame of his role on the show. He appeared in several films, including The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington (1977), The Cross and the Switchblade (1970), and The Texas Rangers (2001). He also starred in various TV movies and guest-starred on numerous TV series, such as The Fall Guy, The Brady Bunch Hour, and The New Adam-12.