Héctor Elizondo
Biography
Héctor Elizondo, born December 22, 1936, in New York City, New York, is an American actor. Early in life he excelled in sports and considered a career in education. His first major theatrical role was portraying “God,” a performance that earned him an Obie Award. Elizondo has appeared in more than eighty films and amassed over one hundred fifty credited roles across film and television. He is known for numerous television appearances, notably his Emmy Award‑winning performance on the series Chicago Hope. He has also been nominated for a Golden Globe. His career spans several decades and includes work as a male actor in both cinema and TV.
Career overview
Héctor Elizondo, born on December 22, 1936, in New York City, New York, is an American actor whose career spans several decades. Before turning to performance, he excelled in sports and at one point contemplated a career in education. His breakthrough onstage came when he portrayed “God” in a theatrical production, a role that earned him an Obie Award and marked his first major professional achievement.
Following his early success in theater, Elizondo transitioned to screen work, appearing in more than eighty films and a substantial number of television series. His extensive body of work includes a variety of supporting and character roles that have contributed to his reputation as a versatile and reliable performer. In television, he is perhaps best known for his Emmy Award‑winning performance on the medical drama Chicago Hope, a role that highlighted his skill in dramatic storytelling.
In addition to his Emmy recognition, Elizondo has been nominated for a Golden Globe, underscoring his continued relevance and respect within the industry. Over the course of his career he has amassed over one hundred fifty credited appearances, reflecting a prolific and enduring presence in both film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Max & Me (2023) as Gunter (voice)
- Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023) as Neven Bell
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021) as Romar Adell (voice)
- Music (2021) as George
- Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It (2021) as Self
- B Positive (2020) as Harry
- The Happy Days of Garry Marshall (2020) as Self
- Green Eggs and Ham (2019) as Dooka (voice)
- The Movies That Made Us (2019) as Self
- Explained (2018) as Narrator (voice)
- The Lego Batman Movie (2017) as Jim Gordon (voice)
- Mother's Day (2016) as Lance Wallace
- The Book of Life (2014) as Carlos Sanchez (voice)
- Go for Sisters (2013) as Jorge Moncal
- The Legend of Korra (2012) as Wan Shi Tong (voice)
- Last Man Standing (2011) as Ed Alzate
- ThunderCats (2011) as Viragor (voice)
- New Year's Eve (2011) as Kominsky
- Knight to D7 (2011) as Grandpa Binks
- Valentine's Day (2010) as Edgar
- New York Street Games (2010) as Self
- Big Sur: Wild California (2010) as Narrator
- Cane (2007) as Pancho Duque
- Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) as Don Leo
- Georgia Rule (2007) as Izzy
- Music Within (2007) as Ben Padrow
- The Celestine Prophecy (2006) as Cardinal Sebastian
- I-See-You.com (2006) as Greg Rishwain
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Carlos Torres
- American Dad! (2005) as Hector Elizondo / Concierge (voice)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) as Wan Shi Tong (voice)
- Mucha Lucha: The Return of El Malefico (2005) as Narrator / Ring Announcer (voice)
- Justice League Unlimited (2004) as Kragger (voice)
- Justice League Unlimited (2004) as Hath-Set (voice)
- The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) as Joe
- Jack & Bobby (2004)
- Raising Helen (2004) as Mickey Massey
- Century City (2004) as Martin Constable
- Justice League: Starcrossed - The Movie (2004) as Kragger (voice)
- Remember the Alamo (2004) as Narrator
- On the Set: The Princess Diaries 2 – Royal Engagement (2004) as Self
- Miracles (2003) as Poppi Calero
- Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003) as Bane (voice)
- Monk (2002) as Neven Bell
- Without a Trace (2002) as Henry Stevens
- What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002) as Dr. Gutierrez (voice)
- Street Time (2002) as Fariz Hammoud
- ¡Mucha Lucha! (2002)
- Zoot Suit Riots (2002) as Narrator (voice)
- Good Day Live (2001) as Self
- The Princess Diaries (2001) as Joe
- Justice League (2001) as Lt. Kragger (voice)
- How High (2001) as Bill the Crew Coach
- Dinner for Five (2001)
- Kate Brasher (2001) as Joe Almeida
- Tortilla Soup (2001) as Martin Naranjo
- The West Wing (1999) as Dalton Millgate
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (1999) as Self
- Runaway Bride (1999) as Fisher
- The Other Sister (1999) as Ernie
- Entropy (1999) as The Chairman
- The Wild Thornberrys (1998) as Bald Eagle (voice)
- Safe House (1998) as Dr. Simon
- Turbulence (1997) as Lt. Aldo Hines
- Borrowed Hearts (1997) as Javier Del Campo
- Early Edition (1996) as Dr. Philip Watters
- Dear God (1996) as Vladek Vidov
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as El Rey Marti (voice)
- Perfect Alibi (1995) as Det. Ryker
- Jonny Quest vs. the Cyber Insects (1995) as Chief Atacama
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Phillip Watters
- Gargoyles (1994) as Zafiro (voice)
- Aladdin (1994)
- Aladdin (1994) as Malcho (voice)
- Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) as Jon Flint
- Getting Even with Dad (1994) as Lt. G. Romayko
- Exit to Eden (1994) as Dr. Martin Halifax
- Backstreet Justice (1994) as Steve Donovan
- Being Human (1994) as Dom Paulo
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) as Fallbrook (voice)
- Picket Fences (1992) as Dr. Phillip Watters
- Mrs. Cage (1992) as Lieutenant Angel
- There Goes the Neighborhood (1992) as Norman Rutledge
- Fish Police (1992) as Calamari (voice)
- Samantha (1992) as Walter
- The Burden of Proof (1992) as Alejandro 'Sandy' Stern
- The Pirates of Dark Water (1991) as Ioz (voice)
- Frankie and Johnny (1991) as Nick
- Necessary Roughness (1991) as Coach Ed Gennero
- Finding the Way Home (1991) as Ruben Lazarado
- Chains of Gold (1991) as Lieutenant Ortega
- Final Approach (1991) as Dr. Dio Gottlieb
- Pretty Woman (1990) as The Hotel Manager
- Taking Care of Business (1990) as Warden Toolman
- Dark Avenger (1990) as Captain David Strauss
- Sparks: The Price of Passion (1990) as Vic Ramos
- Forgotten Prisoners: The Amnesty Files (1990) as Hasan Demir
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Leo Burns (segment "As Ye Sow")
- Leviathan (1989) as C.P. Cobb
- Kojak: Ariana (1989) as Edson Saunders
- Your Mother Wears Combat Boots (1989) as Sergeant Burke
- American Experience (1988) as Narrator (voice)
- Beaches (1988) as Judge (uncredited)
- Addicted to His Love (1988) as Det. Currigan
- Astronomy (1988) as Mr. Fisk
- Overboard (1987) as Garbage Scow Skipper (uncredited)
- Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1987) as Dave Whiteman
- Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Natica Jackson (1987) as Morris King
- Matlock (1986) as Joe Peters
- Courage (1986) as Nick Miraldo
- Nothing in Common (1986) as Charlie Gargas
- The Equalizer (1985) as Ray Quintero
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Meadows
- Night Heat (1985)
- Private Resort (1985) as The Maestro
- Foley Square (1985) as D.A. Jesse Steinberg
- Out of the Darkness (1985) as Father George
- Murder: By Reason of Insanity (1985) as Ben Haggarty
- The Flamingo Kid (1984) as Arthur Willis
- a.k.a. Pablo (1984)
- Reading Rainbow (1983) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Women of San Quentin (1983) as Capt. Mile Reyes
- Casablanca (1983) as Captain Louis Renault
- American Playhouse (1982) as The Doctor
- American Playhouse (1982) as Mr. Fisk (segment 'Astronomy')
- American Playhouse (1982) as Lieutenant Angel
- Young Doctors in Love (1982) as Angelo / Angela Bonafetti
- Honeyboy (1982) as Emilio Ramirez
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- Bret Maverick (1981) as Senor Gomez
- The Fan (1981) as Police Inspector Raphael Andrews
- American Gigolo (1980) as Detective Sunday
- Freebie and the Bean (1980) as Dan 'Bean' Delgado
- Cuba (1979) as Capt. Raphael Ramirez
- The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978)
- The Dain Curse (1978) as Ben Feeney
- Thieves (1977) as Man Below
- Diary of the Dead (1976) as Stan
- Wanted: The Sundance Woman (1976) as Pancho Villa
- Popi (1976) as Abraham Rodriguez
- Baretta (1975)
- Report to the Commissioner (1975) as Captain D'Angelo
- NOVA (1974) as Narrator
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Frank Falcone
- The Rockford Files (1974) as John Micelli
- The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) as Grey
- Kojak (1973) as Detective Nick Ferro
- Kojak (1973) as Carl Dettrow
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- Stand Up and Be Counted (1972) as Lou Kellerman
- Pocket Money (1972) as Juan
- Deadhead Miles (1972) as Duke
- Columbo (1971) as Hassan Salah
- Great Performances (1971) as Morris King
- All in the Family (1971) as Carlos Mendoza
- Valdez Is Coming (1971) as Mexican Rider
- Born to Win (1971) as Vivian
- The Impatient Heart (1971) as Mr. Hernandez
- The Landlord (1970) as Hector
- The Vixens (1969) as Inspector
- The Fat Black Pussycat (1963)
- The Edge of Night (1956)