USA: Television icon Erik Estrada gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Erik Estrada, who skyrocketed to fame in the 1970s as the star of NBC's"CHiPs" and who has recently re-emerged to the public as a regular on three reality series, received the 2,336th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday (April 19). Comedian Paul Rodriguez was among those joining Estrada at the late-morning ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard. Estrada skyrocketed to fame as CHP Officer Frank "Ponch" Poncherello in "CHiPs," which ran from 1977-83. He reprised the role in a 1998 TNT made-for-television movie "CHiPs '99," along with the rest of the original cast. "I am truly grateful that any fame that I have received through my career I have been able to put to good use, reaching out and helping others. So, today for me is truly about those who reach out and help others on a daily basis. All of you men and women in law enforcement do that everyday for us," said Estrada at the unveiling. Estrada was a regular on VH1's "The Surreal Life" and Discovery Health Body Challenge in 2004 and "Armed & Famous," which ran earlier this year on CBS. The actor has also helped in the development of Latin American television by taking on roles in several prominent series. "For me, a Latin American actor to receive this honour, I feel very proud. To me, as an Hispanic American, I feel 20 times as proud," said Estrada. Estrada has also served as a spokesman for DARE and has also been involved with Big Brothers, Special Olympics, the March of Dimes and the United Way.

ITN Source | April 26, 2007

Tags:. .put. .those. .public. .joining. .am