
Travels From: NY
Award-winning actor Hector Elizondo has a successful career spanning 40
years that includes film,
television, theater and radio.
In 1997, Elizondo won the prestigious Emmy Award for Outstanding
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
for his portrayal of ‘Dr. Phillip Watters’ on CBS’ “Chicago Hope.”
For six years on the show, Elizondo delivered a heartfelt and poignant
performance that earned him four
Emmy nominations, while creating a character that will be etched in
television history for a long time to
come.
Elizondo recently starred in “Tortilla Soup,” an English-language
film based on Ang Lee’s romantic
comedy, “Eat Drink Man Woman” for Samuel Goldwyn Pictures. Elizondo’s
character is ‘Martin,’ a
Mexican-American master chef who is the father of three grown daughters, all
of whom still live at home.
Using food and elaborate meals as one method of keeping his daughters from
moving out, regardless of
their desires to get married, move to Spain and go to college, ‘Martin’
is the cornerstone of his family.
Directed by Mafia Ripoll and produced by John Bard Manulis, the film
garnered rave reviews.
In addition, Elizondo was also be seen in theaters starring alongside
Julie Andrews and newcomer Anne
Hathaway in the Gary Marshall film, “The Princess Diaries” for
Disney.
Based on the children’s book, Diaries, Hathaway stars as ‘Mia,’ a
Bay Area teen whose social life is turned
upside-down when she discovers she’s the heir to the throne of a kingdom
in Europe called Genovia. Julie
Andrews portrays ‘Queen Clarice’ of Genovia while Elizondo is
‘Joseph,’ the Queen’s head of security and
‘Mia’s’ bodyguard.
“Princess Diaries” also happens to be Elizondo’s thirteenth Garry
Marshall film, among others which
includes “Young Doctors in Love,” “The Flamingo Kid,” “Nothing in
Common” with Tom Hanks and
Jackie Gleason and “Runaway Bride,” which re-teamed Elizondo with
“Pretty Woman’s” Richard Gere and
Julia Roberts. “Pretty Woman” is one of Elizondo’s most renowned
performances, winning him a Movie
Award as well as nominations for both a Golden Globe and an American Comedy
Award.
Elizondo’s other film credits include: “Beverly Hills Cop III,”
“Getting Even With Dad,” “Frankie and
Johnny,” “Final Approach,” “Necessary Roughness,” “Taking Care
of Business,” “American Gigolo,”
“The Fan,” “Leviathan,” “Report to the Commissioner” and “The
Taking of Pelham 1-2-3.”
A native New Yorker, Elizondo first gained recognition on the New York
stage for his portrayal of ‘God’
in “Steambath,” which earned him an Obie Award. High praise followed for
his Broadway roles in Neil
Simon’s “Prisoner of Second Avenue,” “The Great White Hope,”
“Sly Fox,” for which he received a
Drama Desk Award nomination, and the critically acclaimed Broadway revival
of Arthur Miller’s “The
Price,” alongside Eli Wallach at the Roundabout Theatre.
Elizondo’s numerous television appearances began with guest starring
roles on now classic episodes of
“Columbo,” “All in the Family” and “Kojak.” He quickly moved on
to star opposite such leading ladies as
Michelle Pffeifer, Sophia Loren, and Anne Bancroft. Hector received another
Best Supporting Actor
nomination for his riveting performance opposite Ms. Bancroft in the
two-character drama “Mrs. Cage,” for
PBS’s acclaimed series “American Playhouse.”
Hector has also done many voice-overs, most recently in Ken Bum’s
critically acclaimed PBS documentary
series, “The West” and served as the host of the CBS special,
“Mysterious Man of the Shroud.” Elizondo is
especially proud of his involvement in the prestigious LA Theatre Works, a
group of 40 top actors who are
devoting their time and talent to reinstating classic radio drama as a
contemporary art form for National
Public Radio (N.P.R.).
Elizondo recently received the Diversity Award’s prestigious
“Integrity Award” as well as Nosotros’
“Lifetime Achievement Award “ for the quality of roles he has chosen
during his career. Elizondo is often
asked to be a guest speaker and serve as a role model for children. He is an
avid supporter of several
charitable organizations including The Alzheimer’s Association, Amnesty
International, The American
Cancer Society and Pediatric Aids.
Hector is an accomplished musician and singer, performing on the conga,
flute and guitar. He and his wife
Carolee Campbell, an Emmy-Award winning actress, photographer and celebrated
publisher live in
Sherman Oaks, California.