Poncie Ponce
| Poncie Ponce | |
|---|---|
Ponce in 1959.
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ponciano Hernandez |
| Also known as | Poncie Ponce |
| Born |
April 10, 1933 Maui, Hawaii |
| Died | July 19, 2013 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation(s) | Live performer Vocalist Actor Musician Stand-Up Comedian Impressionist |
| Instruments |
Ukulele Trumpet Bongos |
| Years active | 1953–2013 |
| Labels |
Warner Bros. Collectibles |
Poncie Ponce (born Ponciano Hernandez; April 10, 1933 – July 19, 2013) was an American actor, musician and stand-up comedian. Born in Maui, Hawaii, he moved to Los Angeles, where from 1959–1963 he played the role of cab driver Kazuo Kim in the Warner Bros. detective series Hawaiian Eye, on the American Broadcasting Company television network. In 1961, Ponce was at the forefront of a growing national interest in martial arts when he opened a karate studio in North Hollywood.
Ponciano Hernandez was born one of seven children in Maui, Hawaii on April 10, 1933 to Maria and Alberto Hernandez. He attended Honokaa High School in Honokaa, Hawaii, and pursued a career as a welder at Hawaii Vocational School. However, he was called to serve his country for two years in the United States Army. Deployed to Germany in 1953, Ponce honed his artistic talents in Munich's clubs. The entertainment bug bit him, and upon return to civilian life, Ponce made the rounds of Hawaii's local talent contests and television and radio stations. Encouraged by Hawaii tourist audiences, Ponce decided to try his luck in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles automobile dealer Bob Yeakel broadcast an 18-hour weekly amateur talent show called Rocket to Stardom from his Wilshire Boulevard showroom. The broadcast was split over two local stations, KHJ-TV Channel 9 and KTTV-TV Channel 11.Ponce made a series of appearances on the local show in the late 1950s and was soon working at Ben Blue'sSanta Monica night club. Warner Bros. honchos William T. Orr and Hugh Benson happened to catch his act at Ben Blue's and thought he might be a good fit for their new production Hawaiian Eye. There was one stipulation to the contract, that he change his name to Poncie Ponce. Jack L. Warner changed his name to Ponce.
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