The Greenville Graffiti Car Show, sponsored by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce that legendary actor Erik Estrada will be the celebrity guest. The car show will be held on Saturday, June 15 in downtown Greenville.
Estrada will sign autographs and pose for pictures between 10am and 2pm on the courthouse lawn at no charge, which is a significant change from past years.
Chamber Executive Director Elaine McNamara said, “We are so excited to have Erik join us for the car show this year. We have been working with Grand Productions on bringing him to town for several months since he was one of our most requested celebrities on Facebook.” She added, “We are thankful for the support of Greenville Tourism and the Greenville City Council to make this happen.”
Estrada has captured the hearts of millions of fans world-wide as a result of his six-year run starring as highway patrol officer Frank Poncherello in the highly successful television series, ChiP’s.
To date, Estrada has appeared in over 140 television shows and movies, and is still active in the industry today. Starting out in television staples such as Hawaii Five-O, Emergency, Mannix and movies including The New Centurions, Airport 1975, Estrada has built an impressive acting resume.
For additional information, visit GreenvilleILChamber.org or the Greenville Graffiti Car Show Facebook page.
ERIK ESTRADA
Erik Estrada’s career has spanned so far over four decades, yet although, he had worked as an actor for years before his first television series, it was for his dynamic portrayal of Officer Francis ‘Frank’ Poncherello affectionately known as “Ponch” in the hit, ‘CHiPs ‘, that he became a household name.
Raised in New York City’s Spanish Harlem, he learned lessons of honor and integrity that Erik has carried with him throughout his life. His incredible journey from the projects in Spanish Harlem to the Hollywood Hills he shares with us in his auto-biography Erik Estrada … My Road from Harlem To Hollywood .
His first real acting break came when actor/director Don Murray selected him to star as a streetwise character opposite Pat Boone in The Cross and the Switchblade, a film that is still shown every week at about 500 youth centers across the country because of it’s powerfulanti-drug message. Following that film, he was convinced that the role of Sergio, a rookie policeman in The New Centurions with George C. Scott was perfect for him, but the producers did not agree. Undaunted Erik finally landed the part.
Erik has been discovered by a whole new generation and culture, who know him as “Johnny”from the #1 international series for Televisa entitled, Dos Mujeres, Un Camino. The series premiered at #1 and remained at the top of the ratings in the U.S., Mexico, and throughout Latin America. Dos Mujeres can also still be seen throughout the world. As a Latino actor,learning to speak fluent Spanish as an adult, and ‘discovering’ his cultural heritage has beenthe biggest gift that Erik received by traveling to Mexico and filming the acclaimed telenovela that spanned over 18 months and became the longest running most successful telenovela inthe history of Televisa.
Estrada has emerged as a pop culture icon. Erik received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which he proudly dedicated to all the women and men in law enforcement. The WB cast Erik as the father of the house for the second season of their hit series, Surreal Life. Erik has had an opportunity to share his great sense of humor with his fans shooting many cameos’ on TV and in film. Berkeley University Popular Culture Society honored him for his lifetime achievements in television and for his contribution to our pop culture.
Erik has had the opportunity to star in many films internationally and guest star in so many one hour dramas that they are too numerous to list over his forty years. Recently he has enjoyed sitcom work on many series including Big Time Rush and Drake & Josh. He has been aregular character on two animated series, Sea/ab 2021 for the Cartoon Network and The Misadventures of Maya and Miguel for PBS. He has numerous national advertisingcampaigns and endorsements in both traditional Anglo markets as well as the Latino media marketplace.
Erik continues to be a great supporter of police officers organizations throughout the world andbecause of this continual interest and commitment he is now also fulfilling one of his childhood dreams and has actually joined the ranks of law enforcement six years ago by becoming a sworn reserve police officer for the Muncie P.D. in the state of Indiana and a sworn deputysheriff in Bedford County in the state of Virginia.
While beginning his work in Virginia, Erik was introduced to the Safe Surfin’ Foundation whose mission is to educate all school age children on the dangers of the internet and the predators sometimes affiliated with it. His concern for the safety of these children as well ashis own eleven year old daughter made him immediately commit to this crusade and in thefuture he hopes to have internet safety & education implemented in all schools for children K – 12.
He has joined SSF where not only is he a national spokesperson but is currently an FederalInvestigative Officer for the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force(ICAC). Erik has been recognized by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Marshall Service for his dedication and service to protecting children from sexual predators on the internet.
Through his continual dedication, Erik has been instrumental in educating people across thecountry on the importance of car seats for all children, the dangers of drugs and most recentlythe very real dilemma facing our children, internet predators.
Erik lends his support to other such commendable charitable causes as CHiPs for Kids, Cops for Tots, the Thalians, March of Dimes, United Way, Susan G. Komen, Aids L.A., Walk to EraseMS and Standup for Skate Parks to name a few.
Off-screen, Erik prides himself as a home handyman who is constantly enhancing thingsaround the Hollywood Hills house that he and his wife, Nanette resides in with their daughter,Francesca. He is also the father of two grown sons, Anthony and Brandon. While he workshard at everything he does, Erik is known by his friends and colleagues as a committedhusband, father and family man and a true professional in his craft.
