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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).
Héctor Elizondo | |
|---|---|
 Elizondo at the premiere for Earth in 2009 | |
| Born | December 22, 1936 New York City, U.S. |
| Other names | Hector Elizondo |
| Education | Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Spouses | Marie Rivera
(m. 1956; div. 1957)Marie Mandry
(m. 1963; div. 1964)Carolee Campbell (m. 1969) |
| Children | 1 |
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.
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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]
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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.
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]
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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]
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Film
| 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
| 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
| 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
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu | Bane | [18] |
| 2010 | Dora the Explorer: Dora's Big Birthday Adventure | Wishing Wizzle | [18] |
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- 1971: Won, "Distinguished Performances" – Steambath
- 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
- 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
- 1991: Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture" – Pretty Woman
- 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
- 1997: Nominated, "Best Performance By an Actor in a Television Drama Series" – Chicago Hope
- 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]
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