Hector Elizondo

Four-time Emmy nominee Hector Elizondo received the prestigious Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1997 for his portrayal of Dr. Phillip Watters on CBS' Chicago Hope. He feels, "Watters is a multifaceted person and we are peeling the onion one layer at a time to reveal his inner-most feelings, as well as demons."

"I have little in common with Dr. Watters in real life,” Elizondo jokes. “However, we both love basketball, boxing and playing the guitar."

Elizondo is one of those rare actors who continues to move back and forth freely between starring roles on Broadway, television and feature films. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of a hotel manager in the mega feature hit Pretty Woman.

Hector's film credits include: Tortilla Soup, Princess Diaries, Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, Beverly Hills Cop III, Getting Even With Dad, Frankie and Johnny, Final Approach, Necessary Roughness, Taking Care of Business, The Flamingo Kid, Nothing in Common, Young Doctors in Love, American Gigolo, The Fan, Leviathan, Report to the Commissioner and The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3, among others. Pretty Woman is one of his most renowned performances, winning him a Movie Award as well as nominations for both a Golden Globe and an American Comedy Award.

In addition to his big screen success, Elizondo starred in the critically-acclaimed Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Price, alongside Eli Wallach at the Roundabout Theatre.

Hector'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 numerous television projects opposite such leading ladies as Michelle Pffeifer, Sophia Loren, and Candace Bergen. He played the starring role in the ABC miniseries of Scott Turow's Burden of Proof. Hector received another Best Supporting Actor nomination for his riveting performance opposite Anne Bancroft in the two-character drama Mrs. Cage, for PBS's acclaimed series American Playhouse. He can be seen this spring in the CBS drama Century City.

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, and Sly Fox, for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination.

Hector 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.). Hector co-hosted the Environmental Media A wards with the poet Laureate Maya Angelou, with the keynote speaker being Mikhail Gorbachev.

Hector 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. Hector has done many voice-overs and narrations including Ken Bum's critically acclaimed PBS documentary series The West, as well as NOVA, The American Experience, and served as the host of the CBS special Mysterious Man of the Shroud.

Hector is often asked to be a guest speaker and serve as a role model for children. He is an avid supporter of The Alzheimer's Association, Amnesty International, The Creative Coalition, Pediatric Aids, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of East Los Angeles.

Hector is an accomplished musician and singer, performing on the conga and guitar.