Erik Estrada Net Worth: How Much Is The CHiPs Star Worth Today?

Erik Estrada is a well-known American actor and former police officer who rose to fame for his role as Frank “Ponch” Poncherello in the hit TV series CHiPs. He also starred in several Spanish-language telenovelas, reality shows, and movies. But how much is Erik Estrada worth today? And what are the sources of his income? Let’s find out.

Early Life and Career

Erik Estrada was born on March 16, 1949, in East Harlem, New York, to Puerto Rican parents. He had a difficult childhood as his parents divorced when he was two years old and he grew up in a violent neighborhood. He initially wanted to become a police officer, but changed his mind after joining the drama club in high school. He studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and landed his first film role in The Cross and the Switchblade in 1970.

Estrada appeared in several TV shows and movies in the 1970s, such as The New Centurions, Airport 1975, Midway, and Hawaii Five-O. However, his breakthrough came in 1977 when he was cast as Ponch, a California Highway Patrol officer, in the NBC series CHiPs. The show was a huge success and made Estrada one of the most popular TV stars of the era. He earned $100,000 per episode and was voted one of “The 10 Sexiest Bachelors in the World” by People magazine.

CHiPs Controversy and Aftermath

Despite his fame and fortune, Estrada faced some challenges during his tenure on CHiPs. In 1979, he suffered a serious accident while filming a stunt scene, which left him with broken ribs and wrists. He also had a salary dispute with NBC in 1981, which led to his temporary replacement by Caitlyn Jenner. Estrada eventually returned to the show after renegotiating his contract, but CHiPs was canceled in 1983 after six seasons.

After CHiPs, Estrada struggled to find steady work in Hollywood. He appeared in some low-budget films and TV shows, such as Hunter, Caged Fury, The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission, and Extralarge. He also ventured into the Spanish-language market and starred in several telenovelas, such as Rosa salvaje, Dos mujeres, un camino, and Destino de mujer. His most successful telenovela was Dos mujeres, un camino, which became one of the highest-rated shows in Latin America.

Reality Shows and Other Ventures

In the 2000s, Estrada reinvented himself as a reality TV star and appeared in various shows, such as The Surreal Life, Armed & Famous, Mira Quien Baila, and Celebrity Wife Swap. He also lent his voice to animated series like Sealab 2021, Maya & Miguel, and Phineas and Ferb. He also became a spokesperson for several products and causes, such as National Geographic’s Animal Jam, D.A.R.E., Safe Surfin’ Foundation, and TruStage Insurance.

In addition to his acting career, Estrada also fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a police officer. He became a reserve officer for the Muncie Police Department in Indiana in 2007 and later joined other law enforcement agencies in Virginia, Idaho, and California. He mainly focuses on protecting children from online predators and educating the public about internet safety.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Erik Estrada has been married three times and has four children. His first marriage was to Joyce Miller in 1979, but they divorced after a year. His second marriage was to Peggy Rowe in 1985, with whom he had two sons: Anthony and Brandon. They divorced in 1990. His third and current marriage is to Nanette Mirkovich since 1997, with whom he has a daughter: Francesca.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Erik Estrada has an estimated net worth of $4 million as of 2023. His main sources of income are his acting roles, endorsements, reality shows, and police work. He also owns several properties in California and Puerto Rico. He lives a comfortable lifestyle with his family and enjoys riding motorcycles with his friends.

Conclusion

Erik Estrada is an American actor who became famous for his role as Ponch on CHiPs. He also starred in many other TV shows and movies, especially telenovelas. He later became a reality TV star and a reserve police officer. He has an estimated net worth of $4 million as of 2023. He is married to Nanette Mirkovich and has four children. He is an active campaigner against drugs and internet crimes. He is one of the most beloved and respected celebrities in the entertainment industry.

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