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Héctor Elizondo

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For the Mexican sport shooter, see Héctor Elizondo (sport shooter).
Héctor Elizondo
Elizondo at the premiere for Earth in 2009
Born (1936-12-22) December 22, 1936 (age 87)
New York City, U.S.
Other namesHector Elizondo
EducationFiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • television director
Years active1963–present
Spouses
Marie Rivera
​
​
(m. 1956; div. 1957)​
Marie Mandry
​
​
(m. 1963; div. 1964)​
Carolee Campbell
​
(m. 1969)​
Children1

Héctor Elizondo (born December 22, 1936) is an American character actor. He is known for playing Phillip Watters in the television series Chicago Hope (1994–2000) and Ed Alzate in the television series Last Man Standing (2011–2021). His film roles include The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), American Gigolo (1980), Leviathan (1989), Pretty Woman (1990), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), Runaway Bride (1999), The Princess Diaries (2001), and Valentine's Day (2010).

Elizondo has received an Obie Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two ALMA Awards, and had been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Satellite Award, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Early life

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Elizondo was born in New York, the son of Carmen Medina Reyes and Martín Echevarría Elizondo, an accountant and notary public.[1][2] His parents were Puerto Ricans of Spanish descent who moved from Puerto Rico to New York City with the hope of finding a better life.[3][4] He grew up on the Upper West Side.[5]

At a young age, he demonstrated a talent for sports and music. He sang for the Frank Murray Boys' Choir when he was 10 years old. Upon graduating from junior high school in 1950, he enrolled in the High School of the Performing Arts. He also attended another public high school, where he excelled in basketball and baseball. His baseball skills were good enough for him to be scouted by both the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates.[6] In 1954, Elizondo enrolled in City College of New York, intending to become a history teacher. However, during his freshman year, he became a father and dropped out of college, going to work full-time to support his family. Later, he divorced and gained full custody of his son, Rodd.[6]

Career

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From 1962 to 1963, Elizondo studied dance at the Ballet Arts Company at Carnegie Hall. During 1962–63, he also studied acting under Mario Stiletti at Stella Adler Theatre Studio when it was located in the Dryden East Hotel on East 39th St. In 1965, he landed a part in the off-Broadway show Kill the One-Eyed Man.[7]

In 1968, he got a part in the play The Great White Hope.[8] His first major success came when he played "God" in the guise of a Puerto Rican steam room attendant in Steambath, for his performance in which he won an Obie Award. He often plays the role of the lead character’s friend or sympathizer.

In 1974, Elizondo played an ex-mafioso-turned-subway hijacker, "Mr. Grey," in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.[9]

He starred as a Puerto Rican widower on the CBS television series Popi (1975–1976).[10] The short-lived series, which ran for 11 episodes, was one of the first American network television series to feature a Latino theme and cast.[10] In 1975, he portrayed the murderer in an episode of Columbo, "A Case of Immunity". He was a member of the cast of the 1985–86 CBS situation comedy Foley Square, starring Margaret Colin.[9]

In the 1980s, Elizondo befriended Garry Marshall, who was impressed with his talent. Their first film together was Young Doctors in Love, in which Elizondo displays his guitar-playing talent. His role in Pretty Woman lasted only 10 minutes, but led to a Golden Globe nomination. In 1999, he co-starred in Runaway Bride as Fisher, the husband of the male protagonist's ex. Elizondo has participated in more than 80 films (18 of which have been Marshall's). He appeared in every film that Marshall directed, including a brief appearance as a Portuguese fisherman in Overboard.

Actress Teri Garr and Héctor Elizondo on the set of Perfect Alibi (1995) with director Kevin Meyer.

In 2001, he was featured in the short-lived television drama Kate Brasher and portrayed security head Joe in the film The Princess Diaries, a role he reprised in the 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.[9] As a voice-actor, he played Bane in Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman.[9] He may be best known to television audiences as Dr. Phillip Watters on the CBS television series Chicago Hope created by well-known television creator David E. Kelley. He has won both an Emmy and ALMA award and was nominated for a Satellite Award and several SAG Awards for playing this role. He is one of only two people to remain on the show for its entire run, the other being Adam Arkin.[9]

In 2008, Elizondo joined the cast of the USA Network series Monk as Dr. Neven Bell,[11] Adrian Monk's new psychiatrist, following the sudden death of Stanley Kamel, the actor who played Monk's original psychiatrist.[12] In 2023, he reprised his role in Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie after some convincing from Tony Shalhoub.[13]

From 2011 to 2021, Elizondo played Ed Alzate on the Fox (formerly ABC) comedy Last Man Standing, starring Tim Allen and Nancy Travis.[9]

In 2023, Elizondo guest voiced a character, Romar Adell, a local of Serenno who went into hiding after the Empire bombarded the planet, on Star Wars: The Bad Batch.[14]

Personal life

[edit]

Elizondo has been married three times. He became a father at the age of 19 with his first wife. His son Rodd was born on September 5, 1956, and died February 24, 2017 at the age of 60. Since 1969, he has been married to Carolee Campbell, an Emmy Award-winning actress who played nurse Carolee Simpson on The Doctors. They live in Sherman Oaks, California.[6]

In April 2013, Elizondo participated in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, held at the University of Southern California, promoting children's reading.[15][16] Proud of his Latino heritage, Elizondo has said he does not accept roles that he feels are stereotypical or demeaning in any way.[17]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1963 The Fat Black Pussycat
1969 The Vixens Inspector
1970 The Landlord Hector
1971 Valdez Is Coming Mexican Rider
Born to Win Vivian
1972 Deadhead Miles Bad Character
Pocket Money Juan
Stand Up and Be Counted Lou Kellerman
1974 The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Mr. Grey
1975 Report to the Commissioner Captain D'Angelo
1976 Diary of the Dead Stan
1977 Thieves Man Below
1979 Cuba Capt. Raphael Ramirez
1980 American Gigolo Det. Sunday
1981 The Fan Police Insp. Raphael Andrews
1982 Young Doctors in Love Angelo/Angela Bonafetti
1984 The Flamingo Kid Arthur Willis
1985 Private Resort The Maestro
1986 Nothing in Common Charlie Gargas
1987 Overboard Garbage Scow Skipper Uncredited
1988 Astronomy Short film
Beaches Judge Uncredited
1989 Leviathan G.P. Cobb
1990 Pretty Woman Barnard Thompson
Taking Care of Business Warden Frank Toolman
1991 Final Approach Dr. Dio Gottlieb
Necessary Roughness Coach Ed Gennero
Frankie and Johnny Nick
1992 There Goes the Neighborhood Norman Rutledge
Samantha Walter
1993 Being Human Dom Paulo
1994 Backstreet Justice Steve Donovan
Beverly Hills Cop III Jon Flint
Getting Even with Dad Lt. Romayko
Exit to Eden Dr. Martin Helifax
1995 Perfect Alibi Det. Ryker
1996 Dear God Vladek Vidov
1997 Turbulence Lt. Aldo Hines
1999 The Other Sister Ernie
Entropy The Chairman
Runaway Bride Fisher
2001 Tortilla Soup Martin Naranjo
The Princess Diaries Joe
How High Bill the Crew Coach
2003 Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman Bane Voice, direct-to-video[18]
2004 Raising Helen Mickey Massey Uncredited
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Joe
¡Mucha Lucha!: The Return of El Maléfico Ring Announcer Voice[18]
2006 I-See-You.Com Greg Rishwain
The Celestine Prophecy Cardinal Sebastian
2007 Music Within Ben Padrow
Georgia Rule Izzy
Love in the Time of Cholera Don Leo
2010 Valentine's Day Edgar
New York Street Games Himself/narrator Documentary
2011 New Year's Eve Lester Kominsky
2014 The Book of Life Carlos Sanchez Voice[18]
2016 Mother's Day Lance Wallace
2017 The Lego Batman Movie Commissioner James Gordon Voice[18]
2021 Music George
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It Himself Documentary

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1967 The Edge of Night Dimitri Unknown episodes
1969; 1970 The Doctors Waiter; John Colley 2 episodes in March; 3 episodes in September
1969 The Jackie Gleason Show Episode: "The Honeymooners: Mexican Hat Trick"
1971 The Impatient Heart Mr. Hernandez Television film
1972 All in the Family Carlos Mendoza Episode: "The Elevator Story"
1973, 1976 Kojak Det. Nick Ferro, Carl Dettrow 2 episodes
1974 Maude Cop Episode: "Speed Trap"
1975 Baretta Jerry Damon Episode: "The Fire Man"
Columbo: A Case of Immunity Hassan Salah Television film
1975, 1978 The Rockford Files John Micelli, Frank Falcone 2 episodes
1976 Popi Abraham Rodriguez 11 episodes
Wanted: The Sundance Woman Pancho Villa Television film
1978 The Dain Curse Ben Feeney
The Eddie Capra Mysteries Strickland Episode: "Dying Declaration"
1980 Freebie and the Bean Det. Sgt. Dan "Bean" Delgado 7 episodes
1982 Medal of Honor Rag Television film
Bret Maverick Mr. Gomez Episode: "The Hidalgo Thing"
Honeyboy Emilio Ramirez Television film
1983 Feel the Heat Monkey Moreno Unknown episodes
Casablanca Capt. Louis Renault 5 episodes
Women of San Quentin Capt. Mike Reyes Television film
1984 a.k.a. Pablo Jose Sanchez/Shapiro 6 episodes
Hill Street Blues Insp. Joe Keenan Episode: "Ewe and Me, Babe"
1985 Murder: My Reason of Insanity Ben Haggarty Television film
Out of the Darkness Father George
1985–1986 Foley Square Jesse Steinberg 14 episodes
1986 Courage Nick Miraldo Television film
Amazing Stories Meadows Episode: "Life on Death Row"
Matlock Det. Joe Peters Episode: "The Cop"
1987 Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Natica Jackson Morris King Television film
Night Heat Detective Hector Gurvin Episode: "The Kid"
Down and Out in Beverly Hills Dave Whiteman 13 episodes
1988 Addicted to His Love Det. Currigan Television film
1989 Kojak: Ariana Edson Saunders
The Equalizer Ray Quintero Episode: "Past Imperfect"
Your Mother Wears Combat Boots Sergeant Burke Television film
1990 Sparks: The Price of Passion Vic Ramos
Dark Avenger Capt. David Strauss Television pilot
Forgotten Prisoners: The Amnesty Files Hasan Demir Television film
1991 Chains of Gold Lt. Ortega
Finding the Way Home Ruben
1991–93 The Pirates of Dark Water Ioz Voice, season 1 only
1992 The Burden of Proof Alejandro "Sandy" Stern Miniseries
Fish Police Don Calamari Voice, episode: "Beauty's Only Fin Deep"
Mrs. Cage Lt. Angel Television film
1993 Jonny's Golden Quest Atacama Voice, television film
Tales from the Crypt Leo Burn Episode: "As Ye Sow"
Animaniacs Stradivarius Voice, episode: "The Cat and the Fiddle"[18]
The Addams Family Ian Thundermane Voice, episode: "Double O Honeymoon"
1994 Picket Fences Dr. Phillip Watters Episode: "Rebels with Causes"
1994–95 Aladdin Malcho Voice, 2 episodes
1994–2000 Chicago Hope Dr. Phillip Watters Main role; 141 episodes
1995 Batman: The Animated Series Sheldon Fallbrook Voice, episode: "The Terrible Trio"[18]
Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects Attacama Voice, television film[18]
1996 Gargoyles Zafiro Voice, episode: "The Green"[18]
1997 Murphy Brown Himself Episode: "Blind Date"
Borrowed Hearts Javier Del Campo Television film
1998 Mikhail Baryshnikov's Stories from My Childhood Voice Episode: "Ivan and His Magic Pony"
Early Edition Dr. Phillip Watters Episode: "Mum's the Word"
Safe House Dr. Simon Television film
2001 Kate Brasher Joe Almeida 6 episodes
2001–04 American Experience Narrator 2 episodes
2002 Fidel Eddie Chibas Miniseries
The West Wing Dr. Dalton Millgate Episode: "Dead Irish Writers"
Street Time Fariz Hammoud 3 episodes
What's New, Scooby-Doo? Dr. Guitirrez Voice, episode: "3-D Struction"
¡Mucha Lucha! El Fundador Voice, episode: "Our Founder"
2003 The Dating Experiment Narrator Unknown episodes
Without a Trace Father Henry Stevens Episode: "Revelations"
Miracles Father "Poppi" Calero 4 episodes
2004 Century City Martin Constable 9 episodes
Jack & Bobby Gerald Cruz Episode: "Chess Lessons"
Justice League Lt. Kragger Voice, episode: "Starcrossed"[18]
The Wild Thornberrys Bald Eagle Voice, episode: "Eliza Unplugged"[18]
2004–06 Justice League Unlimited Lt. Kragger, Hath-Set Voice, 2 episodes[18]
2006 Avatar: The Last Airbender Wan Shi Tong Voice, episode: "The Library"[18]
10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America Narrator 10 episodes
2007 Cane Pancho Duque Main role; 13 episodes
El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera Justice Jaguar Voice, episode: "The Grave Escape"[18]
2007–13 Grey's Anatomy Carlos Torres 5 episodes
2008–09 Monk Dr. Neven Bell 14 episodes
2010 Dora the Explorer Wishing Wizzle Voice, episode: "Dora's Big Birthday Adventure"[18]
Go, Diego, Go! King Vicuna Voice, episode: "Diego Rescues Prince Vicuna"
2011 American Dad! Himself Voice, episode: "Fartbreak Hotel"
ThunderCats Viragor Voice, episode: "The Forest of Magi Oar"[18]
2011–21 Last Man Standing Ed Alzate Main role
2013 The Legend of Korra Wan Shi Tong Voice, episode: "A New Spiritual Age"[18]
2015 Cristela Ed Alzate Episode: "Last Goose Standing"
Jake and the Never Land Pirates Captain Colossus Voice, episode: "The Legion of Pirate Villains!"
2016–18 Elena of Avalor Fiero Voice, 6 episodes[18]
2017–20 Mickey and the Roadster Racers Grandpa Beagle Voice, 5 episodes
2021 Explained Narrator 1 episode
2021–22 B Positive Harry Milton Recurring role; 14 episodes
2022 Green Eggs and Ham Dooka Voice, 6 episodes
2023 Star Wars: The Bad Batch Romar Adell Voice, episode: "Ruins of War"[18]
Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie Dr. Neven Bell TV movie

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1968 The Great White Hope El Jefe / Deputy Alvin Theatre, Broadway [19]
1971 The Prisoner of Second Avenue Mel Edison (replacement) Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway [20]
1974 Dance of Death Kurt Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway [21]
1976 Sly Fox Simon Able Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway [22]
1992 The Price Victor Franz Criterion Center Stage Right, Broadway [23]

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref.
2003 Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Bane [18]
2010 Dora the Explorer: Dora's Big Birthday Adventure Wishing Wizzle [18]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

OBIE Award

  • 1971: Won, "Distinguished Performances" – Steambath

ALMA Awards

  • 1998: Nominated, "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Television Series in a Crossover Role" – Chicago Hope
  • 1998: Nominated, "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Television Series in a Crossover Role" – Turbulence
  • 1998: Won, "Outstanding Actor in a Made-for-Television Movie or Mini-Series" – Borrowed Hearts
  • 1999: Nominated, "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Television Series in a Crossover Role" – Chicago Hope
  • 2000: Nominated, "Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film" – Runaway Bride
  • 2000: Won, "Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope
  • 2002: Nominated, "Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture" – Tortilla Soup

Emmy Awards

  • 1992: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special" – Mrs. Cage
  • 1995: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope
  • 1996: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope
  • 1997: Won, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope
  • 1998: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope

Golden Globe Awards

  • 1991: Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture" – Pretty Woman

Imagen Foundation Awards

  • 2005: Nominated, "Best Supporting Actor in a Film" – The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

NCLR Bravo Awards

  • 1996: Nominated, "Outstanding Television Series Actor in a Crossover Role" – Chicago Hope

Satellite Awards

  • 1997: Nominated, "Best Performance By an Actor in a Television Drama Series" – Chicago Hope

SAG Awards

  • 1995: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope
  • 1997: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope
  • 1998: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series" – Chicago Hope

Temecula Valley International Film Festival

  • 2006: Won, "Lifetime Achievement Award"[24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Wagner, Debbie (August 7, 2008). "Mr. Elizondo and the obsessive-compulsive detective". Popentertainment.com. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  2. ^ Laezman, Rick (April 1, 2002). "Anger ain't the way to go". Latino Leaders. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  3. ^ "Hector Elizondo: Getting to the Heart of Matters". LA Times. May 19, 1997. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Style Live: Movies & Videos". The Washington Post. July 30, 1999.
  5. ^ "A Local Kid Makes It to Broadway But Never Forgets His Roots". Upper West Side Rag. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Elizondo profile Archived 2007-01-25 at the Wayback Machine, FortuneCity.com; accessed 2016-03-19.
  7. ^ ​Héctor Elizondo​ at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
  8. ^ "The Great White Hope". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Hector Elizondo at IMDb
  10. ^ a b "Actress Edith Diaz dies at 70; Credits include 'Sister Act' films and CBS' 'Popi' sitcom". The Hollywood Reporter. 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
  11. ^ Keller, Richard (2008-07-08). "Tony Shalhoub and Hector Elizondo talk about season seven of Monk". Tvsquad.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  12. ^ "Monk TV Series News -Emmy Award-Winner Hector Elizondo To Appear In Monk" (Press release). USA Network. 2008-04-30. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  13. ^ Knolle, Sharon (2023-12-08). "Mr. Monk's Last Case: Tony Shalhoub Talked Hector Elizondo Out of Retirement". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  14. ^ "Romar Adell Voice". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  15. ^ Carrion, Andrea (2013-04-19). "Héctor Elizondo, un apasionado de la lectura". Hoy Los Angeles (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  16. ^ "Authors and Performers". LA Times Festival of Books. Archived from the original on 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  17. ^ Profile, washingtonpost.com; accessed 2016-03-19.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Hector Elizondo (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 10, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  19. ^ "The Great White Hope (Broadway, 1968)". Playbill. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  20. ^ "The Prisoner of Second Avenue (Broadway, 1971)". Playbill. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  21. ^ "Dance of Death (Broadway, 1974)". Playbill. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  22. ^ "Sly Fox (Broadway, 1976)". Playbill. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  23. ^ "The Price (Broadway, 1992)". Playbill. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  24. ^ "Hector Elizondo: Getting to the Heart of Matters". Los Angeles Times. May 19, 1997.
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