Carlos Armando Ponce Freyre Jr.[note 1] (born September 4, 1972) is a Puerto Rican actor, musician, model, and television personality. Ponce began his acting career by participating in Spanish language soap operas for Televisa and Telemundo. Ponce continued to expand his acting career by participating in various American television series. He did not limit himself solely to a career in television. Ponce, who is also a singer, is also active in the American movie industry as a character actor. In film, he played Salvadore in Couples Retreat, Matthew Wright in Spy and Rodrigo in Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. In television, he played Felix Gonzalez in Cristela, Max Duran in Hollywood Heights, as well as voicing Santiago Santos in Maya & Miguel.
Carlos Ponce | |
|---|---|
 Ponce in 2019 | |
| Born | Carlos Armando Ponce Freyre Jr. September 4, 1972 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouses | Verónica Rubio
(m. 1996; div. 2010)Karina Banda (m. 2018) |
| Partner | Ximena Duque (2010–2016) |
| Children | 4 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument |
|
Early life
editPonce was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. His parents, Carlos Ponce Sr. and Esther Freyre, emigrated from Cuba after the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro. After his birth, the family moved to Humacao, where Ponce was raised. As a child, he actively participated in his school's plays and at home he would often put on a show for the family where he would sing the latest tunes. He has a brother name Francisco Ponce who is Vice President of Telemundo Reality Casting. "Carlitos", as he is known in Puerto Rico, started to appear in television commercials at the age of six. He attended high school in Humacao and was a member of the school's drama club.[1][2]
In 1986, the Ponce family moved to Miami, Florida, and Ponce continued to participate in his school's productions at South Miami Senior High. He was named the best student actor of the southern region of the United States.[3]
In 1990, Ponce participated in the Southeastern Theatre Conference and competed for the chance to win a scholarship. He won and enrolled in the New World School of the Arts conservatory. However, the Spanish-language television station Univision offered Ponce the opportunity to host a show called Hablando (Talking). This was his first serious television debut and after his debut he gave up his university studies.[1][2][3]
Career
editActing
editAfter Hablando came to its end, Ponce went to Mexico to visit a friend. While there he visited the Televisa television station. The talent director of the station met Ponce and offered Ponce his first role in a soap opera: Guadalupe, starring Adela Noriega and Eduardo Yáñez. He participated in another soap opera for Televisa, Sentimientos Ajenos, in which he played the main character. Ponce also sang the theme song for the production. He received the "Actor Revelation of 1997 Award" by Eres magazine and named "Best Actor" by TV y Novelas magazine (both are Mexican publications).[1][2][3]
In between productions, Ponce returned to Miami and Univision hired him as the host of a new show, Control. He hosted the show for three years and won an "ACE Award".[1][2][3]
In 2003, Ponce joined Entertainment Tonight as a correspondent. He also hosted An Entertainment Tonight Event — Celebrity Weddings Unveiled, a CBS primetime special. Ponce hosted the 2006 Miss Universe pageant in Los Angeles, with Shandi Finnessey, Nancy O'Dell and Carson Kressley. In 2007, he starred in the Telemundo NBC Universal telenovela Dame Chocolate (Give Me Chocolate) alongside Génesis Rodríguez and Karla Monroig. Ponce also starred in Perro Amor in 2010 on the same network. In 2012, Ponce began hosting the hit Puerto Rican singing competition for kids on Wapa Television called Idol Kids Puerto Rico.[1][2][3] In 2013, Ponce appeared on Telemundo's Santa Diabla as Humberto Cano.
American film industry
editIn 1998, he made his debut in American television with his participation in the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210 and 7th Heaven where he played the husband of Jessica Biel's character Mary Camden. He also made guest appearances in Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and in Donny & Marie.[1][2][3]
In 2003, Ponce played himself in the movie Chasing Papi alongside fellow Latinos: Puerto Ricans Roselyn Sánchez, Lisa Vidal, Walter Mercado, Colombian actress Sofía Vergara, and Latin pop singer Jaci Velásquez. After this experience, he went to New Zealand to film Meet Me in Miami.[1][2][3]
In 2005, Ponce briefly appeared in the movie Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.
In 2006, Ponce participated in the controversial recording of the Spanish-language version of the Star-Spangled Banner, called "Nuestro Himno", alongside Wyclef Jean, Gloria Trevi, and Olga Tañón.[1][2][3] He hosted the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles, along with Nancy O'Dell and Carson Kressley. He also appeared in the movie Just My Luck, with Lindsay Lohan, Chris Pine, and McFly.
In 2008, Ponce starred as a celebrity judge alongside actress and singer María Conchita Alonso on VH1's reality series ¡Viva Hollywood!, which featured twelve Latino actors competing for the title of "America's Numero Uno Telenovela Star".
In 2009, Ponce starred in the second season of Lipstick Jungle, where he played a character named Rodrigo.[4] He later stated that he accepted the role because it could "benefit" his career.[4] Also that year, he appeared in Couples Retreat as a yoga instructor.
From 2014 to 2015, Ponce co-starred in the ABC comedy Cristela as Felix, the male lead on the show.
In 2020, Carlos appeared in Julie and the Phantoms as the titular character's father, Ray Molina.
Music
edit| External audio | |
|---|---|
 You may listen to Carlos Ponce's "Rezo" here | |
| and to his "Escuchame" here |
In 1998, Emilio Estefan Jr. and Kike Santander signed Ponce to a record contract. His first album was entitled Carlos Ponce, and included three of his own compositions. The album reached the #1 spot in the Latin Billboards for nine weeks in the Hispanic community of the United States. It also reached the #1 spot in Central America and South America. He was awarded a Double Platinum Award for the sales which his album generated.[5][6][7]
On the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks Carlos Ponce reached the number-one spot three times with "Rezo" (I Pray), "Decir Adiós" (Say Good-Bye) and "Escúchame" (Listen to Me).[8]
In 1999, Ponce recorded his second studio album, Todo lo que Soy (Everything that I Am). The World Athletic Games held in Seville, Spain, adopted the song "Amelia" from Ponce's second album as its official theme. That same year, he was contracted by the Walt Disney Studios to sing "Bella Notte" for the animated film Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure. He also appeared in ABC's drama series Once and Again.
After the tragedy of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Ponce joined a group of 100 Latin American singers, who united to pay tribute to the victims by recording "Último Adiós" ("Last Good-Bye"). The proceeds of the recording were donated to families of the victims. That same year Ponce participated in the Televisa production Sin Pecado Concebido, along with Mexican actress Angélica Rivera. In 2002, he recorded his third studio album, Ponce; later that year he signed a contract with Telemundo to host a reality show called Protagonista de la Musica, which became one of the most popular Hispanic programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.[1][2][3]
Personal life
editPonce married his high school sweetheart, photographer Verónica Rubio, the sister of current U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.[citation needed] They resided in Miami, Florida, with their four children: Giancarlo (born 1999), Sebastián (born 2001), and twins Savannah and Sienna (born 2002). In 2010, the couple divorced.[9]
From 2010 to 2016, he was in a relationship with Colombian actress Ximena Duque.[10]
In 2018, he began a relationship with Mexican television host Karina Banda. They married in December 2020.[11]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure | End Title Song | Voice only |
| 2005 | Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo | Rodrigo | |
| 2005 | Meet Me in Miami | Luis | |
| 2005 | Complete Guide to Guys | Steve | |
| 2006 | Just My Luck | Antonio | |
| 2009 | Couples Retreat | Salvadore | |
| 2011 | Rio | Marcel | Voice only |
| 2013 | Free Birds | Narrator / Alejandro | Voice only |
| 2014 | The Pirate Fairy | Bonito | Voice only |
| 2015 | Spy | Matthew Wright | |
| 2016 | Ice Age: Collision Course | Fall Guy (Walter White) | Voice only |
| 2023 | Murder Mystery 2 | The pilot |
| Year | Title | Roles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1994 | Guadalupe | Willie | |
| 1996–1997 | Sentimientos ajenos | Renato Aramendia | Main role; 98 episodes |
| 1998 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Tom Savin | Episode: "Confession" |
| 1998–2006 | 7th Heaven | Carlos Rivera | 12 episodes |
| 2000 | Milagros | Himself | Episode 19 |
| 2001 | Once and Again | Giancarlo | Episode: "The Other End of the Telescope" |
| 2001 | Sin pecado concebido | Adrián Martorel Ibáñez | Main role; 90 episodes |
| 2003 | Karen Sisco | Will | Episode: "The One That Got Away" |
| 2003 | Ángel de la guarda, mi dulce compañía | Gustavo Almansa | Main role; 122 episodes |
| 2004 | Eve | Joe | Episode: "Above Average Joe" |
| 2006 | Stranded | Chief Inspector Raddimus | Television film |
| 2006 | Vanished | Cured corna | Television film |
| 2006 | Break-in | Inspector Raddimus | Television film |
| 2007 | Dame chocolate | Bruce Remington | Main role; 149 episodes |
| 2008 | Lipstick Jungle | Rodrigo Vega | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | Perro amor | Antonio "El Perro" Brando | Main role; 129 episodes |
| 2011–2012 | Dos hogares | Santiago Ballesteros Ortiz / Jesús | Main role; 145 episodes |
| 2012 | Hollywood Heights | Max Duran | Series regular; 29 episodes |
| 2013 | Arranque de pasión | Chceco Fernández | Main role; 6 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Santa Diabla | Humberto Cano | Main role; 136 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Cristela | Felix | Main role; 22 episodes |
| 2016 | Telenovela | Diego | Episode: "The Rivals" |
| 2016 | Devious Maids | Benjamin Pacheco | 6 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Silvana sin lana | Manuel Gallardo | Main role; 120 episodes |
| 2017 | La Fan | Luis Alberto Fontán | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Major Crimes | Emilio Diaz | 5 episodes |
| 2018-2020 | The Boss Baby: Back in Business | Board Baby Emiliano | Episode: "As the Diaper Changes" Episode: "Bossa Nova" |
| 2019 | Playing with Fire | Jorge Jaramillo | Main role; 10 episodes |
| 2020 | La Doña | León Contreras | Main role |
| 2020 | Julie and the Phantoms | Ray Molina | Recurring role; 7 episodes |
| 2021 | La suerte de Loli | Armando | Main cast |
| 2021 | Luis Miguel: The Series | Adult Miguel Alemán | Season 3 |
| 2021–present | Los Lopeggs[12] | Yema | Main voice role; Spanish-language |
| 2021 | Por amor o por dinero[13] | Himself | Host |
| 2022–2023 | Amores que engañan | Jorge Ricardo |
Episode: "Vientre en alquiler" Episode: "Durmiendo con un extraño"[14] |
| 2023 | Enamorándonos: la isla[15] | Himself | Host |
Audiobooks
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Harry Potter | All roles | Spanish only |
Discography
edit- 2012: Me Llevas
- 2010: Perro Amor
- 2005: Celebrando 15 Años Con
- 2003: La Historia
- 2002: Ponce
- 1999: Todo lo Que Soy
- 1998: Carlos Ponce
Soundtrack
edit- 2011: "Rendirme En Tu Amor" feat. Anahí (telenovela Dos Hogares)
- 2013: "Santa Diabla" feat. Aaron Diaz (telenovela Santa Diabla)
Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart chronology
edit| Year | Single | Peak[8] |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Rezo" | 1 |
| 1998 | "Decir Adiós" | 1 |
| 1999 | "Recuerdo" | 31 |
| 1999 | "Te Vas" | 10 |
| 1999 | "Escúchame" | 1 |
| 1999 | "Busco una Mujer" | 26 |
| 2000 | "La Razón de mi Ser" | 18 |
| 2002 | "Mujer con Pantalones" | 15 |
Awards
editIn 1999, Ponce received many awards, including:
See also
edit
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "WME" (PDF). www.wma.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Star Pulse". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "PONCE, Carlos (Carlos Ponce), photo, biography". persona.rin.ru.
- ^ a b Amary Santiago Torres (2008-07-18). "Despierta pasiones en "Lipstick Jungle"" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. Archived from the original on December 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- ^ "WME" (PDF). www.wma.com.
- ^ "Star Pulse". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
- ^ "PONCE, Carlos (Carlos Ponce), photo, biography". persona.rin.ru.
- ^ a b Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music – Billboard.com
- ^ "Carlos Ponce: I Make Four Different Breakfasts!". Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
- ^ "Ximena Duque, Carlos Ponce Break Up: Colombian Actress Reveals Reason Couple Called It Quits After 6 Years". 5 February 2016.
- ^ "Secret wedding! Karina Banda and Carlos Ponce sealed their love in an intimate ceremony". HOLA! USA. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ "Puerto Rican actor Carlos Ponce lends voice to animated sitcom 'Los Lopeggs'". La Presna Latina Media. Mendelson and Associates, LLC. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
- ^ Flores, Lorena (15 November 2021). "Carlos Ponce regresa a la conducción con 'Por Amor o Por Dinero'". dallasnews.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Danna García enfrentó un drama en 'Amores que engañan'". El Tiempo (in Spanish). 2 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ Fridmann, Mandy (3 April 2023). "'Enamorándonos, La Isla': Adelanto exclusivo del reality de Karina Banda y Carlos Ponce". El Diario Nueva York (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 June 2023.