INTERVIEW BACK ONLINE! Recently, we posted an image of Erik Estrada and fans wondered where’s the interview? Take a look back as the former “CHiPs” star and the lovely Charisma Carpenter (“Buffy” and “Angel”) teamed up for a then-hilarious promotional campaign for Butterfinger.
Video Content: Charisma Carpenter and Erik Estrada (2010)
Interviewed by then-host Rafael Siegel, Erik Estrada discussed how the landscape has changed for Latino actors and how he got his “CHiPs'” character (Ponch) a new identity, while Charisma Carpenter told us how she handles rejection as an actor. In addition, the two stars talked about their roles in the Butterfinger campaign / web series: “Butterfinger Defense League (BFDL),” which also co-starred Lou Ferrigno (TV’s “The Incredible Hulk”).
Mini-Biographies:
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Charisma Carpenter is best known as Cordelia Chase in the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and its spin-off “Angel.” She was a regular in “Malibu Shores” and “The Lying Game” and had recurring roles in “Big Shots” and “Greek.” Carpenter has guest-starred in a number of series, including “Legend of the Seeker,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Veronica Mars,” “Baywatch,” and “Back to You.” Recently, she was seen on TV in “Scream Queens,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Lucifer,” and “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” as well as films “Bound” and the “The Expendables” features.
Born in East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, Erik Estrada is best known for his iconic role as Francis “Ponch” Poncherello on the TV series, “CHiPs.” He appeared in soap operas “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Dos mujeres, un camino.” Estrada has been featured in informercials and reality shows, such as “The Surreal Life,” “Discovery Health Body Challenge,” and “Armed & Famous.” He was a regular voice actor in “Sealab 2021.” Some of his recent film roles are “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” “Virtuous,” “Cool Cat Saves The Kids,” “El Americano: The Movie,” and the reimagined “CHiPs” movie, while on TV the actor was seen in guest roles on “Second Generation Wayans,” “The Neighbors,” “Liv and Maddie,” and “Still The KIng.”
Interview Credits:
Recorded: April 21, 2010
Host / Producer: Rafael Siegel
Editor: Richard R. Lee
Special Thanks To: Butterfinger and Walter Newkirk