In an interview with Steve Kmetko on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, Larry Wilcox said that his co-star from “CHiPs,” Erik Estrada, got him fired from the 1977 series, but later became his best friend.
+ Video: “Love Island” Star’s Hair Catches Fire While Attempting to Cook Pasta
During the conversation, Larry Wilcox shared more details about the conflicts he had with Estrada behind the scenes of the police drama.
“You and Erik had great chemistry on screen,” Kmetko commented. “Yes, we really did. We’re actors,” Wilcox said, laughing. The actor said Estrada was the “biggest egomaniac” he had ever worked with.
Larry Wilcox played officer Jon Baker, while Estrada was officer Frank Ponch on the show.
“I endured it because this show wasn’t about you, Larry,” he said. “So get over it or make a decision, find a solution and be resilient, but don’t drown in that toxicity,” he continued.
Wilcox said he got a call from his agent, who told him he had spoken with then NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff, who said he had been let go from “CHiPs.”
“And then they said: ‘Erik ordered you to be fired,’” he stated. Larry Wilcox’s agent said that Tartikoff informed him that Estrada was threatening to sue MGM and NBC. If his demands weren’t met, he would walk away.
+Watch Larry Wilcox’s full interview
After this incident, Wilcox founded Wilcox Productions. He told producer Cy Chermak, who had worked on “CHiPs,” that he wanted to invite Estrada to something, which left Chermak confused.
“One day my mind cleared. I said: ‘Wow, man, are you going to keep holding on to revenge? Does that make you happy? Do you want to drink over it tonight, then again tomorrow, and again, and then get irritated and angry at someone?’ No,” he reflected.
“I’m going to love this guy. I’m going to love him unconditionally. No pretending… So that’s what I did. I just became his best friend,” continued Larry Wilcox, who today attends many fan meetings alongside Estrada.
The series “CHiPs” ended after its 6th season in 1983, but Wilcox and Estrada reunited in commercials and, in 1998, in a reunion TV movie.
Photos: YouTube Still Here Hollywood Podcast w/ Steve Kmetko and Instagram @erikestradaofficial. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
