A legendary actor who has worked with numerous A-listers over the years was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles this week.
The star has 162 acting credits to his name thus far – and has appeared alongside celebrities such as Julie Andrews, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Richard Gere and Tim Allen.
The Emmy winner, 88, has taken on roles in beloved films such as Pretty Woman, American Gigolo and The Princess Diaries franchise.
He has also portrayed characters in hit shows throughout his decades-long career including Chicago Hope and Last Man Standing.
The star began has career in the 1960s and is also known for his close friendship with late director Garry Marshall – who passed away in 2016.
So can you guess who he is?
A legendary actor who has worked with numerous A-listers over the years was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles this week – can you guess who he is?
The star has 162 acting credits to his name thus far – and has appeared alongside celebrities such as Julie Andrews, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Richard Gere and Tim Allen
It’s Hector Elizondo! The actor was seen briefly stepping out and kept it casual in a long-sleeved green shirt and gray sweatpants.
The actor was born in December 1936 in New York City and grew up on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.
He later attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Arts and Performing Arts – and also played multiple sports as a teenager, such as baseball and basketball.
Hector additionally studied dance at the Ballet Arts Company at the venue Carnegie Hall before also taking on roles in plays, including Steambath.
Aside from the stage, Elizondo appeared on the screen by taking on minor parts in projects throughout the 60s to the mid-70s.
He then landed the role of Abraham Rodriguez in the sitcom titled Popi for a total of 11 episodes.
Hector later made appearances in other television shows such as The Rockford Files and The Dain Curse.
In 1980, he landed the role of Detective Joe Sunday in the movie American Gigolo alongside Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton.
Throughout the early 80s, Elizondo also starred in other films such as Young Doctors In Love and The Flamingo Kid.
It’s Hector Elizondo!; He is seen above with Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (1990) where he played hotel manager Barnard “Barney” Thompson
Hector began has career in the 1960s and is also known for his close friendship with late director Garry Marshall – who passed away in 2016
In 1980, he landed the role of Detective Joe Sunday in the movie American Gigolo alongside Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton
For 14 episodes, he portrayed D.A. Jesse Steinberg in the show Foley Square from 1985-1986.
He gained more recognition when he played hotel manager Barney Thompson in Pretty Woman (1990) – which was directed by Garry Marshall. The film also starred Julia Roberts, Richard Gere and Jason Alexander.
Based on his performance, Elizondo notably garnered a Golden Globe nomination the following year.
The romantic comedy was also a box office success, and raked in $463.4 million on a budget of $14 million.
During the 90s, Hector continued to take on parts in both TV and movie projects – such as Beverly Hills Cop III (1994).
That same year, he began to take on a big role in the medical drama series Chicago Hope as Dr. Phillip Waters.
He played the character for a total of 141 episodes – and his performance also earned him an Emmy win for Best Supporting Actor in 1997.
In 2001, Hector starred opposite Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews in the Disney movie The Princess Diaries.
Based on his performance in Pretty Woman (seen above), Elizondo notably garnered a Golden Globe nomination the following year
That same year, he began to take on a big role in the medical drama series Chicago Hope as Dr. Phillip Waters (seen above)
He played the character of security guard Joe – a role he would reprise in the 2004 sequel Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Other projects he has taken on roles in include Monk, Grey’s Anatomy and Last Man Standing – where he played El Alzate from 2011-2021.
His last acting credit was in 2023 when he reprised his role as Monk’s psychiatrist Dr. Neven Bell in the TV movie Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.
Elizondo is also known for appearing in 18 movies directed by Garry Marshall aside from Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries franchise, such as Runaway Bride (1999), Raising Helen (2004), Valentine’s Day (2010) and New Year’s Eve (2011).
During a past interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Hector opened up about their ‘beautiful friendship.’
At one point, the actor had recalled, ‘When I asked him about my character in Pretty Woman, hotel manager Barnard Thompson, he said something brilliant.
‘He said, “Play the guy that you’d like to work for,” and he walked away. That was it. That’s how he directs. If you need coaxing, he’s there to coax you. He gives you a certain kind of confidence. It makes the day easy.’
The star also gushed about how crews ‘loved’ Marshall and explained, ‘If it’s your birthday you’re going to get a birthday cake. And he loves parades. So during a movie, there’s a parade.
In 2001, Hector starred opposite Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews in the Disney movie The Princess Diaries
‘Every department has to compete against the others – there are judges and they give out ribbons. You wear funny hats. That’s Garry Marshall. Someone once said, “Garry doesn’t make a movie; Garry throws a movie.”‘
And while talking to Variety in 2016, Elizondo further discussed having the chance to work with the late filmmaker.
‘Movie stars loved working with him. He made them comfortable. They felt safe. The first act of love is listening. He loved actors.’
He also talked about his time starring on The Princess Diaries and said, ‘Garry loved Annie Hathaway’s smarts and work ethic. If he started at 7, she was there 5 minutes early, ready to roll.
‘Julie Andrews made Anne sit next to her and look at the monitor as they rewound the scenes. She was mentoring her on the set.’
He continued, ‘That’s what terrific people do; they pass the baton. Garry liked people who would be part of the solution, not part of the problem.’
‘Movie stars loved working with him. He made them comfortable. They felt safe. The first act of love is listening. He loved actors,’ Hector said of Marshall (seen above in 2016 in NYC)
In regards to what he is most proud of with his career thus far, Hector previously told the Television Academy Foundation: ‘I didn’t change my name…’
In regards to what he is most proud of with his career thus far, Hector previously told the Television Academy Foundation: ‘I didn’t change my name…’
Elizondo later explained, ‘Also, I was theater-trained. I did repertory theater, I studied. No one ever gave me anything for free.
‘You have to put in the time, the sweat. Nowhere is it written that you’re going to be successful. And I’ve reminded kids to redefine success.’
The actor added, ‘Just put one foot in front of the other. Remind yourself that it’s a lot of hard work and be prepared when you’re called.’
