Movies

Legendary actor who starred alongside Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman looks unrecognizable on rare outing

BBG News

In the heart of LA this week, I found myself lucky enough to cross paths with a renowned actor whose work I’ve admired for years. Known for collaborating with some of Hollywood’s elite, it was quite the surprise encounter!

So far, the actor boasts an impressive repertoire of 162 roles, sharing screen time with renowned stars like Julie Andrews, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Richard Gere, and Tim Allen.

88-year-old Emmy award winner has portrayed characters in popular movies like Pretty Woman, American Gigolo, and The Princess Diaries series.

Throughout his lengthy career, he has also taken on roles in popular TV series such as Chicago Hope and Last Man Standing.

In the 1960s, the star embarked on his acting career and became well-known for his longtime friendship with the late filmmaker Garry Marshall, who sadly passed away in 2016.

So can you guess who he is? 

Here he is, none other than Hector Elizondo! This talented actor made a quick appearance, maintaining a relaxed vibe with a long-sleeved green top and comfortable gray joggers.

The actor hails from New York City, where he was born in December 1936, and spent his childhood years residing on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

In his teenage years, he went on to study at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Arts and Performing Arts, while participating in various sports like baseball and basketball.

Beyond his studies, Hector delved into dance at the Ballet Arts Company situated within Carnegie Hall. Later, he also joined theater productions, with Steambath being one of them.

Outside of acting on the stage, Elizondo made appearances on screen through various small roles in productions spanning the 1960s up until the mid-1970s.

He then landed the role of Abraham Rodriguez in the sitcom titled Popi for a total of 11 episodes. 

Later on, Hector also showed up in other TV series like The Rockford Files and The Dain Curse.

1980 saw him securing the part of Detective Joe Sunday in the film American Gigolo, sharing the screen with Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton.

In 1980, he got cast as Detective Joe Sunday in the movie American Gigolo, acting alongside Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton.

During the early ’80s, Elizondo additionally appeared in movies like “Young Doctors in Love” and “The Flamingo Kid”.

For 14 episodes, he portrayed D.A. Jesse Steinberg in the show Foley Square from 1985-1986. 

Back in 1990, I found myself catapulted into the limelight, all thanks to my unforgettable role as Barney Thompson, the hotel manager, in the timeless classic, Pretty Woman. Garry Marshall, a genius director if ever there was one, was at the helm of this masterpiece. And let me tell you, sharing the screen with stars like Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, and Jason Alexander was nothing short of magical!

Based on his performance, Elizondo notably garnered a Golden Globe nomination the following year. 

The romantic comedy not only charmed audiences but also proved profitable, earning an impressive $463.4 million at the box office against a production cost of just $14 million.

Throughout the ’90s, Hector maintained a busy schedule, appearing in various television and film productions, including Beverly Hills Cop III (released in 1994).

In that very same year, he started playing a significant character in the medical drama series “Chicago Hope,” portraying Dr. Phillip Waters.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’ve had the pleasure of embodying a role across an astounding 141 episodes, which was not only a thrilling journey but also led me to a prestigious Emmy win for Best Supporting Actor in 1997.

2001 saw Hector acting alongside Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews in the Disney film The Princess Diaries.

He portrayed the character of Security Guard Joe, a part he would once again take on in the 2004 sequel, titled “Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

Among the various projects he’s been involved with, you can find him in Monk, Grey’s Anatomy, and Last Man Standing. From 2011 to 2021, he portrayed El Alzate in Last Man Standing.

In 2023, his most recent acting appearance was when he took on the role of Dr. Neven Bell, Monk’s psychiatrist, in the TV film titled “Mr. Monk’s Final Chapter.

Besides “Pretty Woman” and the “The Princess Diaries” series, Elizondo is recognized for starring in 18 films directed by Garry Marshall. These include “Runaway Bride” from 1999, “Raising Helen” in 2004, “Valentine’s Day” in 2010, and “New Year’s Eve” in 2011.

Previously, Hector shared insights on his cherished friendship during an interview with the Television Academy Foundation.

At some point, the actor reminisced about a conversation with Barnard Thompson (the hotel manager from Pretty Woman) regarding his character. He said something particularly insightful to him.

– He instructed, “Choose the person you aspire to work for,” and then he departed. That was all. That’s how he manages. If encouragement is needed, he’s ready to encourage. He instills a particular kind of self-assurance. It simplifies the day.

Or

– He advised, “Pick someone you dream of working for,” and then left. That was his way of guiding. If extra motivation was required, he was prepared to motivate. He imbues a specific form of self-belief. It makes the day less challenging.

The star additionally praised Marshall, mentioning that the crew adored him and elaborated, “On your birthday, you’ll receive a birthday cake. He enjoys parades, so during a film, there will be a parade scene.

In every department, there’s a friendly competition taking place. Judges are present to award prizes, and participants often sport amusing headgear. That’s Garry Marshall, a filmmaker known for his energetic and lively approach, who was once famously quoted as saying, “Garry doesn’t make a movie; Garry puts on a movie.

During a conversation with Variety back in 2016, Elizondo also shared his excitement about collaborating with the esteemed film director who had since passed away.

Actors found it pleasant collaborating with him, as he made them feel at ease and secure. His initial expression of affection was always listening. He truly cherished the art of acting.

He likewise discussed his tenure in The Princess Diaries and expressed, “Garry admired Anne Hathaway’s intelligence and dedication. If Garry arrived at 7, she was already 5 minutes ahead, eager and prepared.

Julie Andrews arranged for Anne to sit beside her and observe the screen while they replayed certain sequences. In essence, she was providing guidance to Anne on the movie set.

He added, ‘Exceptional individuals hand over responsibilities. Gary appreciates those who contribute positively to finding solutions instead of creating problems.’

Regarding what he’s most proud of in his career so far, Hector shared with the Television Academy Foundation: ‘I didn’t alter my surname…’ (or alternatively, ‘He didn’t modify his last name…’)

Later on, let me share a little about myself – I’ve always been dedicated to my craft. I honed my skills through theater training and repertory work. Every step of the way, I earned my chances, never taking anything for granted.

Success doesn’t come without effort and hard work. It’s important to remember that there are no guarantees, but putting in the time and sweat can help increase your chances. And when it comes to defining success, each person should consider their own unique goals and aspirations.

The actor advised, ‘Take it one step at a time. Keep in mind that it requires a lot of effort and stay ready for when your turn comes.’

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2025-06-08 20:19

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