---
name: "Héctor Elizondo"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/hector-elizondo"
fi1m_id: "hector-elizondo"
imdb_id: "nm0001185"
tmdb_id: 1210
wikidata_id: "Q313433"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 December 1936"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 68
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-05T01:33:43.775980+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Héctor Elizondo

## Identity

Héctor Elizondo

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/hector-elizondo
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** hector-elizondo
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001185
- **TMDB ID:** 1210
- **Wikidata ID:** Q313433
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9ctor_Elizondo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313433, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001185/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1210

Actor. Born 22 December 1936 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 December 1936, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1980–2017
- **Also known as:** Victor Vicuna, Гектор Элизондо, Виктор Викунья, هکتور الیزوندو
- **Frequently works with:** [Richard Gere](https://film.one/person/richard-gere.md), [Garry Marshall](https://film.one/person/garry-marshall.md), [Julia Roberts](https://film.one/person/julia-roberts.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 68, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 64 (1), 1990s 68 (2), 2010s 74 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 65 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 3, Romance 2, Action 1, Animation 1, Crime 1, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,138m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9ctor_Elizondo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313433, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001185/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1210

## Fi1m on Héctor Elizondo

> Héctor Elizondo is the man who knows how the building works. He plays small parts with a stillness other actors mistake for doing nothing, and the cost of being so good at it is that films stopped asking him for anything else.

Watch what Héctor Elizondo does with a sandwich. In *American Gigolo* (1980) his Detective Sunday turns up in Julian's flat, eats, and asks where Julian was, and he never raises his voice or hurries the question. He is rumpled and patient and, in a film that keeps the man at its centre a blank, the best company on screen. Ten years later, in *Pretty Woman* (1990), he is the hotel manager, Barnard Thompson, and he plays him with a kindness that costs nothing and makes the place feel safe. Those two parts are a fair measure of what he does: he arrives in someone else's story, knows where everything is kept, and everyone behaves.

He came out of New York theatre in the 1960s and into film in the early 1970s, and the early work is not all gentle. In *The Taking of Pelham One Two Three* (1974) he is Mr Grey, one of the hijackers. Then Garry Marshall cast him in *Young Doctors in Love* (1982) and kept casting him, 18 films in all, in every film Marshall made. *Pretty Woman* was the one that got him noticed. Television took most of the rest: Dr Phillip Watters, running the hospital in *Chicago Hope* from 1994 to 2000, and Ed Alzate, the family friend in *Last Man Standing* for a decade from 2011.

What he does well is hard to see because it looks like nothing. He does not reach for a line; he waits for it, and he lets the other actor finish. Marshall's advice for Thompson was "Play the guy that you'd like to work for," and that is the whole performance, a man whose authority shows in how little he needs to use it. We will admit the detective got to us more than the manager did. Sunday is the only person in *American Gigolo* who seems to find Julian interesting rather than useful, and when the film went dead for its last forty minutes we caught ourselves waiting for him to knock again.

The cost is plain. After *Pretty Woman* the parts narrowed to the benevolent: *Runaway Bride* (1999), Joe the security chief in *The Princess Diaries* (2001), the doctors and coaches and head porters. He is good in all of them, and the films needed him more than they let on, but the actor who played Mr Grey was not asked back. That is not his doing. Hollywood found a use for him and used it.

If you want to see what the fuss is about, start with the flat and the sandwiches, not the hotel. The hotel is the one everyone remembers. The detective is the one that shows you what he could have been doing all along.

## Biography

Héctor Elizondo is an American character actor. Born in New York City on 22 December 1936, he began his career in theatre and won an Obie Award for his performance in the off-Broadway play *Steambath*.

Elizondo has appeared in more than eighty films. His roles include the hotel manager in *Pretty Woman* (1990), Joe in *The Princess Diaries* (2001) and its 2004 sequel, and supporting parts in several films directed by Garry Marshall. On television he played Dr Phillip Watters in *Chicago Hope* (1994–2000), for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award, and Ed Alzate in *Last Man Standing* (2011–2021).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *The Lego Batman Movie* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Jim Gordon (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-batman-movie.md)
- *Runaway Bride* (1999), Fi1m 58, as Fisher — [page](https://film.one/film/runaway-bride.md)
- *Pretty Woman* (1990), Fi1m 77, as The Hotel Manager — [page](https://film.one/film/pretty-woman.md)
- *American Gigolo* (1980), Fi1m 64, as Detective Sunday — [page](https://film.one/film/american-gigolo.md)

## Complete filmography (146)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie* (2023), as Neven Bell
- *Max & Me* (2023), as Gunter (voice)
- *Star Wars: The Bad Batch* (2021), series, as Romar Adell (voice)
- *Music* (2021), as George
- *B Positive* (2020), series, as Harry
- *Green Eggs and Ham* (2019), series, as Dooka (voice)
- *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *The Lego Batman Movie* (2017), as Jim Gordon (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-batman-movie.md)
- *Mother's Day* (2016), as Lance Wallace
- *The Book of Life* (2014), as Carlos Sanchez (voice)
- *Go for Sisters* (2013), as Jorge Moncal
- *The Legend of Korra* (2012), series, as Wan Shi Tong (voice)
- *New Year's Eve* (2011), as Kominsky
- *Last Man Standing* (2011), series, as Ed Alzate
- *ThunderCats* (2011), series, as Viragor (voice)
- *Knight to D7* (2011), as Grandpa Binks
- *Big Sur: Wild California* (2010), as Narrator
- *Valentine's Day* (2010), as Edgar
- *Love in the Time of Cholera* (2007), as Don Leo
- *Cane* (2007), series, as Pancho Duque
- *Georgia Rule* (2007), as Izzy
- *Music Within* (2007), as Ben Padrow
- *The Celestine Prophecy* (2006), as Cardinal Sebastian
- *I-See-You.com* (2006), as Greg Rishwain
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Carlos Torres — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Avatar: The Last Airbender* (2005), series, as Wan Shi Tong (voice)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Hector Elizondo / Concierge (voice)
- *Mucha Lucha: The Return of El Malefico* (2005), as Narrator / Ring Announcer (voice)
- *Jack & Bobby* (2004), series, Actor
- *The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement* (2004), as Joe
- *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as Kragger (voice), Hath-Set (voice)
- *Justice League: Starcrossed - The Movie* (2004), as Kragger (voice)
- *Raising Helen* (2004), as Mickey Massey
- *Century City* (2004), series, as Martin Constable
- *Remember the Alamo* (2004), as Narrator
- *Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman* (2003), as Bane (voice)
- *Miracles* (2003), series, as Poppi Calero
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Henry Stevens
- *What's New, Scooby-Doo?* (2002), series, as Dr. Gutierrez (voice)
- *¡Mucha Lucha!* (2002), series, Actor
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Neven Bell
- *Street Time* (2002), series, as Fariz Hammoud
- *Zoot Suit Riots* (2002), as Narrator (voice)
- *How High* (2001), as Bill the Crew Coach
- *Justice League* (2001), series, as Lt. Kragger (voice)
- *Tortilla Soup* (2001), as Martin Naranjo
- *The Princess Diaries* (2001), as Joe
- *Kate Brasher* (2001), series, as Joe Almeida
- *Entropy* (1999), as The Chairman
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Dalton Millgate — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Runaway Bride* (1999), as Fisher — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/runaway-bride.md)
- *The Other Sister* (1999), as Ernie
- *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Bald Eagle (voice)
- *Safe House* (1998), as Dr. Simon
- *Borrowed Hearts* (1997), as Javier Del Campo
- *Turbulence* (1997), as Lt. Aldo Hines
- *Dear God* (1996), as Vladek Vidov
- *Early Edition* (1996), series, as Dr. Philip Watters
- *Jonny Quest versus the Cyber Insects* (1995), as Chief Atacama (voice)
- *Perfect Alibi* (1995), as Det. Ryker
- *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as El Rey Marti (voice)
- *Gargoyles* (1994), series, as Zafiro (voice)
- *Exit to Eden* (1994), as Dr. Martin Halifax
- *Backstreet Justice* (1994), as Steve Donovan
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Phillip Watters
- *Getting Even with Dad* (1994), as Lieutenant Romayko
- *Beverly Hills Cop III* (1994), as Jon Flint
- *Being Human* (1994), as Dom Paulo
- *Aladdin* (1994), series, as Malcho (voice)
- *Samantha* (1992), as Walter
- *There Goes the Neighborhood* (1992), as Norman Rutledge
- *Picket Fences* (1992), series, as Dr. Phillip Watters
- *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Fallbrook (voice)
- *Mrs. Cage* (1992), as Lieutenant Angel
- *Fish Police* (1992), series, as Calamari (voice)
- *The Burden of Proof* (1992), series, as Alejandro 'Sandy' Stern
- *Final Approach* (1991), as Dr. Dio Gottlieb
- *Frankie and Johnny* (1991), as Nick
- *Necessary Roughness* (1991), as Coach Ed Gennero
- *Chains of Gold* (1991), as Lieutenant Ortega
- *Finding the Way Home* (1991), as Ruben Lazarado
- *The Pirates of Dark Water* (1991), series, as Ioz (voice)
- *Forgotten Prisoners: The Amnesty Files* (1990), as Hasan Demir
- *Dark Avenger* (1990), as Captain David Strauss
- *Taking Care of Business* (1990), as Warden Toolman
- *Pretty Woman* (1990), as The Hotel Manager — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/pretty-woman.md)
- *Sparks: The Price of Passion* (1990), as Vic Ramos
- *Kojak: Ariana* (1989), as Edson Saunders
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Leo Burns (segment "As Ye Sow")
- *Your Mother Wears Combat Boots* (1989), as Sergeant Burke
- *Leviathan* (1989), as C.P. Cobb
- *Beaches* (1988), as Judge (uncredited)
- *American Experience* (1988), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Addicted to His Love* (1988), as Det. Currigan
- *Astronomy* (1988), as Mr. Fisk
- *Overboard* (1987), as Garbage Scow Skipper (uncredited)
- *Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Natica Jackson* (1987), as Morris King
- *Down and Out in Beverly Hills* (1987), series, as Dave Whiteman
- *Courage* (1986), as Nick Miraldo
- *Nothing in Common* (1986), as Charlie Gargas
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Joe Peters
- *Foley Square* (1985), series, as D.A. Jesse Steinberg
- *Out of the Darkness* (1985), as Father George
- *Murder: By Reason of Insanity* (1985), as Ben Haggarty
- *Amazing Stories* (1985), series, as Meadows
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Ray Quintero
- *Private Resort* (1985), as The Maestro
- *Night Heat* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Flamingo Kid* (1984), as Arthur Willis
- *a.k.a. Pablo* (1984), series, Actor
- *Women of San Quentin* (1983), as Capt. Mile Reyes
- *Casablanca* (1983), series, as Captain Louis Renault
- *Honeyboy* (1982), as Emilio Ramirez
- *Young Doctors in Love* (1982), as Angelo / Angela Bonafetti
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as The Doctor, Mr. Fisk (segment 'Astronomy'), Lieutenant Angel
- *Bret Maverick* (1981), series, as Senor Gomez
- *The Fan* (1981), as Police Inspector Raphael Andrews
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Freebie and the Bean* (1980), series, as Dan 'Bean' Delgado
- *American Gigolo* (1980), as Detective Sunday — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/american-gigolo.md)
- *Cuba* (1979), as Capt. Raphael Ramirez
- *The Eddie Capra Mysteries* (1978), series, Actor
- *The Dain Curse* (1978), series, as Ben Feeney
- *Thieves* (1977), as Man Below
- *Wanted: The Sundance Woman* (1976), as Pancho Villa
- *Popi* (1976), series, as Abraham Rodriguez
- *Diary of the Dead* (1976), as Stan
- *Report to the Commissioner* (1975), as Captain D'Angelo
- *Baretta* (1975), series, Actor
- *The Taking of Pelham One Two Three* (1974), as Grey
- *The Rockford Files* (1974), series, as Frank Falcone, John Micelli — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md)
- *NOVA* (1974), series, as Narrator
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as Detective Nick Ferro, Carl Dettrow — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *Deadhead Miles* (1972), as Duke
- *Stand Up and Be Counted* (1972), as Lou Kellerman
- *Pocket Money* (1972), as Juan
- *Born to Win* (1971), as Vivian
- *The Impatient Heart* (1971), as Mr. Hernandez
- *Columbo* (1971), series, as Hassan Salah — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md)
- *Valdez Is Coming* (1971), as Mexican Rider
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Morris King
- *All in the Family* (1971), series, as Carlos Mendoza — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/all-in-the-family.md)
- *The Landlord* (1970), as Hector
- *The Vixens* (1969), as Inspector
- *The Fat Black Pussycat* (1963), Actor
- *The Edge of Night* (1956), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![(L-R) Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. and Emmy Award-winning actor Hector Elizondo co-hosted the fifth anniversary Voice Awards at Paramount Stud (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/77501/gallery-d064e829b833.jpg) (L-R) Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. and Emmy Award-winning actor Hector Elizondo co-hosted the fifth anniversary Voice Awards at Paramount Stud (2010) — SAMHSA from Rockville, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/2010_Voice_Awards_Co-Hosts_on_Red_Carpet_%285080471561%29.jpg/1280px-2010_Voice_Awards_Co-Hosts_on_Red_Carpet_%285080471561%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Photo of actors Hector Elizondo, Dennis Vasquez, Anthony Perez, and Edith Diaz in 1976.](https://film.one/media/person/77501/gallery-e156f1db4e10.jpg) Photo of actors Hector Elizondo, Dennis Vasquez, Anthony Perez, and Edith Diaz in 1976. — CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Cast_of_CBS%27s_sitcom_%22Popi%22_%281976%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Héctor Elizondo at the premiere for Earth](https://film.one/media/person/77501/gallery-378c6bb1ab27.jpg) Héctor Elizondo at the premiere for Earth — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/H%C3%A9ctorElizondoApr09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actors Héctor Elizondo & Tim Allen & Christoph Sanders On the Set of ABC's “Last Man Standing” 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/77501/gallery-0d310a51f86f.jpg) Actors Héctor Elizondo & Tim Allen & Christoph Sanders On the Set of ABC's “Last Man Standing” 2012. — MingleMediaTVNetwork, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/H%C3%A9ctor_Elizondo%2C_Tim_Allen%2C_Christoph_Sanders.jpg/1280px-H%C3%A9ctor_Elizondo%2C_Tim_Allen%2C_Christoph_Sanders.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Héctor Elizondo](https://film.one/media/person/77501/gallery-9c147eac39e5.jpg) Héctor Elizondo — MingleMediaTVNetwork, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/H%C3%A9ctor_Elizondo_2012.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1997: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Chicago Hope*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/hector-elizondo