Erik Estrada. A name that sparks so many fond memories of tight pants, a shit-eating grin, and a good time for television. This charming hunk of man is mostly famous for his career-defining role as Officer Frank Poncherello, aka Ponch, in the hit primetime TV serisCHiPs, the acronym for California Highway Patrol. Ponch rode a motorcycle along with his pal and fellow officer John, and the two fought crime from 1977 to 1983, for over 138 episodes. He was a hot pin-up poster boy with his built frame, tons of dark, wavy hair, and a smile that could blind from miles away. Sigh. He also earned himself a Golden Globe nomination for CHiPs (he got beat by Ed Asner). The star’s career didn’t end with the series, though, and he’s accumulated more than 170 credits on his acting resume. He’s taken turns in soap operas like The Bold and The Beautiful in 2001, and has done tons of wink-wink, nudge-nudge appearances in TV shows that range from Lizzie McGuire to My Name Is Earl, from The King of Queens to Drake & Josh, and from Scrubs to Liv and Maddie. On the movie scene, he’s made well over 60 flicks, including one called Do or Die (1991), where he plays Richard Estevez and is shirtless and hot in a pool-based sex scene, and proves his dexterity by untying a bikini top, proves his strength while lifting a naked lady, and proves his patience while getting whipped in the face with wet hair. And proves he still works out. A lot. With his dark hair heavily peppered with white and gray, he’s still sparking fond memories. Those police officer motorcyle pants should have their own fan page.
