Erik Estrada to host ‘Divine’ house enchancment present in Wilmington NC
For individuals who grew up on (or had been round for) community tv reveals of the late Nineteen Seventies and early Eighties, Wilmington is about to get a go to from a well-recognized face.
Erik Estrada − who made his identify as a star of NBC cops-and-crime drama “CHiPs,” on which he performed the pleasant, motorcycle-riding California Freeway Patrol Officer Francis “Ponch” Poncherello from 1977 to 1983 − is coming to Port Metropolis to shoot a religious- and community-themed house enchancment present referred to as “Divine Renovations.”
Monty Hobbs, a longtime Wilmington movie employee who is likely one of the present’s producers, stated taking pictures will happen at a number of space places starting Sept. 26 and persevering with into October.
Hobbs stated he met Estrada at a conference in New Jersey seven or eight years in the past, “And we saved in touch.”
He stated Estrada is the right host for the present he and co-producer Valerie Smaldone wish to make as a result of Estrada “desires to do significant work, not simply present biz stuff,” Hobbs stated. “While you consider happiness, you’ll be able to’t deny that smile.”
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Estrada acquired a Golden Globe nomination for his work on “CHiPs,” which had sufficient of a cultural affect that it was later made right into a 2017 film and a 2010s stage musical, each spoofy takes on the TV present’s often-goofy tone.
Earlier than “CHiPs,” Estrada appeared in such ’70s-era TV collection as “Hawaii 5-O,” “Emergency!,” “Mannix,” “Kojak,” “Police Lady,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Baretta” and “The Six Million Greenback Man.” He acquired to reprise his function as Ponch for TV film “CHiPs ’99” and has a really prolonged record of credit that features voiceover work (“King of the Hill,” “Journey Time with Finn and Jake”) and such latest streaming hits at “Cobra Kai.”
“Divine Renovations” is being produced by Heartlight Leisure, which is comprised of Hobbs, Smaldone and Matthieu Chazareix.
Smaldone stated the concept for “Divine Renovations” was born from “The Thursday Night time Membership,” a Christmas film she directed, and that Hobbs produced, for the faith-and-family streaming website Pure Flix. Set to air in November, the film stars singer and actress Gloria Gaynor as one in every of 4 pals who come collectively to assist a younger lady who suffers a devastating loss.
The Thursday Night time Membership – The Thursday Night time Membership – Trailer | IMDb
“The thought is to convey folks collectively as a way to assist different folks,” Smaldone stated. “It is in regards to the energy of kindness.”
Working with Wilmington-area church buildings and nonprofits, Heartlight has recognized a lot of folks whose houses want numerous sorts of renovations. They embrace a 6-year-old boy with particular wants and a younger lady, previously homeless, who’s now a house owner however whose home wants work past what she will afford or do for herself.
Hobbs stated the present might be taking pictures scenes at Life Church, St. James AME Church and Dwelling Water Ministries in Wilmington, along with different places. Neighborhood teams the present is working with embrace the Wilmington Space Rebuilding Ministry, Household Promise of the Decrease Cape Worry and Coastal BUDS (Bringing Up Down Syndrome) of Southeastern NC.
Hobbs stated Heartlight Leisure has acquired sturdy curiosity within the present, and that he expects it to be out on a faith-based community someday in 2023.
Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.
