Erik Estrada made a rare red carpet appearance with his family on Friday, May 17, at the Fairmont Hotel in Los Angeles. The 75-year-old actor attended the annual Race to Erase MS Gala with his wife of 27 years, Nanette Mirkovic, and their 25-year-old daughter Francesca Natalia.
Estrada wore a clean-cut black suit paired with a white shirt and ivory tie. Nanette, 65, stood close beside him in a polished evening look. Their daughter Francesca turned heads in a low-cut black lace gown, walking between her parents as cameras flashed. The family hasn’t been spotted publicly together in years, making the outing a noticeable return to the spotlight.
What is Erik Estrada doing now?
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Though he is best known for his work in television, Estrada now splits his time between acting and law enforcement. In 2016, he joined the police reserve force in St. Anthony, Idaho, and focused on child safety and internet crimes. This was after years of advocacy for children’s online protection.
He hasn’t left acting behind completely. He recently appeared in the Hallmark Channel’s Picture Perfect Mysteries and starred in the home renovation reality series Divine Renovation. Estrada also does voice acting, lending his voice to the animated series Sealab 2021. He runs a production company as well, keeping his work behind the scenes active.
Erik Estrada’s Hollywood journey
Estrada first became famous in the late 1970s with the hit show CHiPs, where he played Officer Frank “Ponch” Poncherello. The show aired from 1977 to 1983 and gave Estrada his breakout role. His charm and confidence on-screen helped the series become a hit. By 1979, he was listed as one of People Magazine’s 10 Sexiest Bachelors.
Following CHiPs, he moved into Spanish-language telenovelas and kept a steady career with guest appearances on American TV shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Scrubs, The Nanny, and Lizzie McGuire. He also competed on reality shows and worked with law enforcement departments to promote safety campaigns.