From a young age, Ponce exhibited a passion for the performing arts. He participated in school plays and frequently staged performances for his family at home. At the age of six, he appeared in his first television commercial. He was an active member of the drama club at his high school in Humacao. In 1986, the family relocated to Miami, Florida, where he continued to participate in theater productions and went on to win the “Best Student Actor” award in the southern United States.

Acting Beginnings and Early Television Work

In 1990, Carlos Ponce earned a scholarship through the Southeastern Theatre Conference and enrolled at the New World School of the Arts conservatory. His professional career began when he joined Spanish-language television network Univision, where he hosted the talk show “Hablando.” This opportunity marked his initial exposure to a wider audience and led him to leave college to pursue acting full-time.

While visiting a friend in Mexico, Ponce was offered a role in the soap opera “Guadalupe,” produced by the Mexican network Televisa. He gained further recognition with his leading role in the telenovela “Sentimientos Ajenos.” His performance earned him the “Revelation Actor of 1997” award from the Mexican publication Eres Magazine. He was also named “Best Actor” by the well-known entertainment magazine TVyNovelas.

Television Hosting and Continued Success in Media

Following his success in Mexican television, Ponce returned to Miami and rejoined Univision, this time as a host for a popular entertainment program, which he led for nearly three years. For his work on the show, he received an ACE Award, honoring excellence in Spanish-language television.

His transition to American television included appearances in English-language series such as “7th Heaven” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” He also made guest appearances on talk shows including “Donny & Marie” and “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee,” expanding his visibility among English-speaking audiences.