Henry Enrique “Erik” Estrada was born on March 16, 1949 in East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, NY. He is an American police officer (deputy sheriff) and actor of a Puerto Rican descent. He is best known for his co-starring lead role in the 1977–1983 United States police television series CHiPs. He is also known for his work in Spanish language telenovelas (soap operas). He has appeared in reality television shows and infomercials. He has a successful career as voiceover artist and is currently working on Cartoon Network’s Sealab 2021. This earned him an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Erik Estrada made his film debut in the 1970 film version of The Cross and the Switchblade in the role of Nicky Cruz together with Pat Boone who played the role of David Wilkerson. He took part in the disaster film Airport 1975. In 1978, he trained in martial arts in preparation for a two part episode in CHiPs. He was voted one of The 10 Sexiest Bachelors in the World by People magazine later in 1979. He appeared in the three-part episode of the police drama Hunter.
In the 90s, Estrada played in a Mexican telenovela. Despite his descent, he doesn’t speak Spanish so the lines were fed to him over an earphone during production. He landed the role of Johnny in Dos mujeres, un camino (Two women, one road) in 1993 where he had to take 30 straight days of Berlitz Spanish lessons before he could begin. The show became the biggest telenovela in Latin-American history and has helped revived his almost non-existent career.
Estrada was the original choice to play the role of Carlos in From Dusk ‘Til Dawn (1996).He was a reserved police officer with Muncie, Indiana police department from 2007-2010. He completed his full training in 2007 as seen on the TV series Armed and Famous (2007).
Erik Estrada was a big star. He ranked fifteenth on the TV Guide’s Network as TV’s 25 Sexiest Men of All Time (2008) and first in the same network as TV’s 25 Sexiest Men in Uniform (2009). He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Estrada was engaged to Beverly Adams. He was married three times. He was divorced to both Joyce Miller (1979-1980) and Peggy Rowe (1985-1990) with two children. His present wife is Nanette Mirkovich and they have one child.
