Hector Elizondo was born in New York City, New York, where he was raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, surrounded by the vibrant energy of the city that never sleeps. He is the son of Carmen Medina Reyes and Martín Echevarría Elizondo, and his ancestry is a rich tapestry of Basque and Puerto Rican heritage. The surname "Elizondo" has a significant meaning in Basque culture, translating to "at the foot of the church".
Before he became a renowned actor, Hector led a life that was as multifaceted as the roles he would later play. He was a conga player with a Latin band, a classical guitarist and singer, a weightlifting coach, a ballet dancer, and even a manager of a bodybuilding gym. In his teenage years, he was scouted by the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates farm teams for his impressive skills on the basketball and baseball courts. However, a knee injury brought an end to his dance career, and he subsequently turned to drama.
Since then, Hector has made a name for himself on Broadway, earning a Drama Desk nomination for his role in Arthur Penn's production of "Sly Fox" alongside George C. Scott. He also won an Obie Award for his portrayal of "God" in "Steambath". Other notable theatre credits include "The Prisoner of Second Avenue", "The Great White Hope", "Dance of Death" with Robert Shaw, and "The Rose Tattoo" opposite Cicely Tyson.
On the small screen, Hector has had a plethora of starring roles, including "Foley Square" (1985),"Medal of Honor Rag" (1982),"Casablanca" (1983),in which he recreated the iconic role of police chief "Capt. Renault", and "Freebie and the Bean" (1974). He has also appeared in numerous guest roles, such as "Kojak" (1973),"Kojak: Ariana" (1989),"A Case of Immunity" (1975),"Baretta" (1975),"All in the Family" (1971),"The Rockford Files" (1974),and "Bret Maverick" (1981).
In addition to his work in television, Hector has also made a significant impact in the world of film. He has appeared in a wide range of movies, including "American Gigolo" (1980),"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" (1974),"Cuba" (1979),"Valdez Is Coming" (1971),and four films directed by Garry Marshall: "Young Doctors in Love" (1982),"The Flamingo Kid" (1984),"Nothing in Common" (1986),and "Overboard" (1987).
Hector has also ventured into the world of stage direction, making his debut with a production of "Villa!" starring Julio Medina. He has also performed in the 50th anniversary production of "War of the Worlds" alongside Jason Robards and appeared in the TV-movie "Addicted to His Love" (1988) alongside Barry Bostwick.
