Erik Estrada was born on March 16, 1949, in New York City. His father was from Puerto Rico, and his mother was American. Estrada holds American nationality. From a young age, he was known for being polite and disciplined—a contrast to typical youthful behavior. His sense of order initially drew him toward law enforcement and government roles, though he ultimately chose a different path and pursued a career in television and film.
Estrada made his film debut in 1970 with the movie The Cross and the Switchblade, portraying Nicky Cruz. In 1972, he played an LAPD officer in the film The New Centurions. The movie received positive reviews from both critics and audiences, helping to establish his presence in the industry. In 1974, he appeared in Airport 1975 as a flight engineer—a film that achieved commercial success.
Estrada gained widespread fame for his role as Officer Frank Poncherello in the television series CHiPs. In 1979, while filming an episode, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that caused multiple bone fractures. The motorcycle, weighing approximately 270 kg, threw him off during a stunt. Despite the long recovery process, his determination brought him back to acting. Standing at 1.77 meters tall, Erik was voted among the Top Ten Sexiest Bachelors in the World by People magazine that same year.
| Birth Date: | 16 Mar, 1949 |
| Age: | 71 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Television actor Film actor Film producer |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | New York City |
| residence: | Los Angeles |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
