The Legendary Hector Elizondo is back for the 7th Season of Last Man Standing

For over 45 years, award-winning actor Hector Elizondo has enjoyed a successful and prolific career in film, television, theater and radio. A native New Yorker, Elizondo first garnered recognition for his portrayal of “God” in “Steambath” on the New York stage, a role that earned him an Obie Award. High-praise continued on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Prisoner of Second Avenue,” “The Great White Hope” and the critically celebrated revival of Arthur Miller’s “The Prince.”

Elizondo received a Drama Desk Award nomination for his performance in Broadway’s original run of the comedy “Sly Fox.” Nominated both for a Golden Globe and an American Comedy Award for his depiction of the hotel manager in the classic comedy “Pretty Woman,” Elizondo’s other film credits include “The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3,” “American Gigolo,” “Young Doctors in Love,” “Nothing in Common,” “The Flamingo Kid,” “Runaway Bride,” “Tortilla Soup,” “The Music Within,” “Love in the Time of Cholera,” “The Princess Diaries” and “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.” In 1997, Elizondo won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of “Dr. Phillip Watters” in “Chicago Hope.” In six years on the show, he earned four Emmy Award nominations, an ALMA Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. He also starred in the two-character drama “American Playhouse: Mrs. Cage,” for which he received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special. His numerous television appearances began with guest starring roles on “Colombo,” “All in the Family,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Kojak” and “The West Wing.” More recent guest appearances include recurring roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Monk.” Elizondo has done many voice-overs, including for Ken Burns’ critically acclaimed documentary, “The West.”

He also served as the host for the network special “Mysterious Man of the Shroud.” He is especially proud of his involvement in the distinguished L.A. Theatre Works, a group of 40 top actors who devote their time and talent to revive classic radio dramas as a respected contemporary art form for National Public Radio (NPR).

Due to his mother’s battle with the Alzheimer’s disease, Elizondo has become a strong voice in Alzheimer’s awareness, and currently acts as the celebrity spokesperson for The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). Through public appearances, he helps to publicize the AFA’s National Memory Screening Day, which strives to inform, educate and screen as many people as it can reach. He has been honored with the Diversity Award’s prestigious Integrity Award, as well as Nosotros’ Lifetime Achievement Award for the roles he has chosen in his career and how these have improved the image of Latinos on screen. Elizondo also is an avid supporter of Amnesty International, American Cancer Society and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He resides in Los Angeles.


Last Man Standing is back with a 7th season. What's new? 
Hector Elizondo: It is the same old same cast except for one person. Same writers, the same crew and producers. We get a great support from the network who are behind us 100 percent. Enthusiastic huge following and great future. It is great to have a live audience watching the show.

You are the owner of Outdoor Man. What do you love about your character and how will he evolve in the new season? 
I am more than an owner. He is in the stage where he will make some changes and he is always falling in love with someone. This part of his life is more meaningful in terms of giving back; more philanthropic. He is the man who doesn't need money - he needs to found meaning. You only find real meaning when you give back. The rest is about being a good human being.

What do you think makes this show so successful and will there be an 8th season? 
We have the right chemistry and people see it. The show is very clear on values. We want to be part of the healing. We like to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. People can sense that. Probably there will be...

You are an avid supporter of Alzheimer Disease because of family battle with it. How has this mental illness impacted your life and what do you do now to make difference in other people’s lives? 
My father died from taking care of my mother. If you can survive, they get better. Not only my mother had it but also four of her sisters. Most of the victims are caretakers. You are not prepared for what is ahead. What I do is I talk about the caretaking. They need help and physical training. Caretaking is very import. We have to support them!

After 54 years working in the entertainment industry, what have you learned about it and yourself that if you could go back and see your younger self you will tell him? 
Pay more attention. I am very grateful to have the chance. I have a feeling of gratitude. You don't learn if you don't lose. Celebration is easy when you are victorious. When you are not victorious you have an opportunity to learn. Learn how we are connected to one another and how we are different. Learn to be prepared. You have to be ready! I am also looking forward to Princess Diaries 3 and Last Man Standing. We will be standing for a long time I hope!

 Last Man Standing premiered on September 28 on FOX.

"Murder in the Woods" with Danny Trejo Sweeps the 2018 FANtastic Horror Film Festival Award Nominations

Luis Iga's award-winning slasher continues to garner acclaim, as the film scores six nominations 

Los Angeles, CA, September 18, 2018 - Luis Iga’s ground-breaking Latinx feature film, "Murder in the Woods," makes its San Diego premiere at the FANtastic Horror Film Festival. The film stars José Julián (“A Better Life”) and features distinguished actor Danny Trejo (“Machete”). The award-winning film directed and produced by Luis Iga and written and produced by Yelyna De Leon has played to packed houses in Los Angeles, Portland, New York, Denver, Chicago, and now San Diego will get its first taste of what critics have called, “a breakthrough,” “smart, funny & very effective horror” film with a “phenomenal storyline” that “delivers on its promise in heaps.” "Murder in the Woods" has a total of six nominations at the prestigious festival.

The nominations are Best Feature Film, Best Actor: Jose Julian, Best Supporting Actor: Kade Wise & Danny Trejo, Best Score and Goriest Film. The film will play on Saturday, October 27 at 5:45pm at the Ultra Star Mission Valley Cinemas-Hazard Center located at 7510 Hazard Center in San Diego, California. Tickets are on sale now here: http://bit.ly/FANtastictixPR “I am truly honored and grateful to receive these nominations. I want to congratulate all the nominees and I want to thank the festival founders JoAnn Thomas, Mike Thomas and everyone involved in the festival for being pioneers in supporting the diversity change that Hollywood needs. Furthermore, this film would not have been possible without our award-winning cast and crew; I want to thank them for their hard work in making this film a reality” said director and producer Luis Iga. “I also want to thank Matt Chassin, the Festival’s Executive Producer for his support and for always being a fan of this film” Iga added. Writer and producer Yelyna De Leon said “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to screen the film for audiences in San Diego at Fantastic Horror Film Festival so they can experience our fun film and see beautiful brown faces up on the big screen in non-stereotypical roles.” The FANtastic Horror Film Festival in San Diego, CA is dedicated to bringing the latest and cutting-edge Indie Horror films to the local community; it is a three-day festival over Halloween and shows 30 plus Indie Horror Short and Feature films. Following the Fest they have an Award Ceremony to celebrate the award nominees and winners. 

“Murder in the Woods” distinguishes itself for being an All “People of Color” cast in non-stereotypical roles. The rest of the ensemble cast includes Jeanette Samano (“Female Fight Squad,” “Isa”), Chelsea Rendon (“Bright,” “Vida”), Catherine Toribio (“Jane the Virgin”), and Jordan Diambrini (“The Outfield”). It also features Soledad St. Hilaire (“Beatriz at Dinner”), Kurt Caceres (“Dexter”) and Rolando Molina (“American Dad!”) “Murder in the Woods" is a production of REZINATE Entertainment, founded by Luis Iga. REZINATE partnered up with Yelyna De Leon to produce this film. Both graduated with an MFA in Film and Television Production from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC) where they met. About REZINATE Entertainment: REZINATE is an entertainment company founded by Luis Iga. The company is involved in the production, financing and distribution of audiovisual projects including Film, Television, Animation, Video Games and Virtual Reality.

REZINATE has a global presence with clients and projects that are developed around the world. www.rezinate.com 
For more information on “Murder In The Woods:”
Website: http://www.murderinthewoodsmovie.com
Trailer: http://bit.ly/FANtasticPRmitw
Facebook: @MITWMovie
Instagram: @murderinthewoods
Twitter: @MITWMovie
Snapchat: @MITWMovie
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6083146

The Predator and Actor Boyd Holbrook - a Challenging Role in the Making

On September 14, a new PREDATOR is coming to town - better and stronger than before. Shane Black directs an extraordinary cast from the script he penned with Fred Dekker. THE PREDATOR is produced by John Davis, who brought the seminal Predator franchise to life. Boyd Holbrook heads the ensemble, which also stars Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Augusto Aguilera, and Sterling K. Brown. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters (“the Loonies”) are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race. 

Boyd Holbrook stars as Quinn McKenna, a retired Special Forces army ranger turned mercenary who is also the head of the “Loonies” team. 

So this movie will be a sequence of the other PREDATOR movies. How has it evolved since the other movies and what new can we expect to see in it? 
BH: I am so excited to be working with such an incredible group of writers and cast. They are “badass.” This time there is a lead actress in the film and is an iconic mascot - no movie like the other PREDATORS. It's a reinvention of it all. It’s cool. I am surprised how funny it is. It is a thriller and action, packed from start to finish, classic with humour. 

What makes this a different alien movie in comparison to the many other alien movies out there - is it the human element we see in the predator? 
BH: There is a human element to it. The “Loonies” are relatable. They are guys that are broken down, from the military, but there is depth to the characters. 

You play a very complexed, multi-layered character who is a soldier and a father at the same time. You battle on the field but also battle with your feelings about your son’s autism. How does your character deal with that and what journey does he have to go through to overcome these battles? 
BH: Quin is dealing with two battles. It's really reflective. Being a soldier and what it leads to, estranged from your wife and child. He is strong masculine, a tough guy but it takes a different kind of toughness with a child with special needs. He is also dealing with the big predator guy. It's a complex ride but it's fun. It's a blast. 

Tell me about the family dynamic in the movie and how important of a role it plays in your character’s success? 
BH: It is really what drew me to the character. The character is a bit more evolved, sophisticated and there is a depth to the character and what he has to go through. I look for in the art in characters, where they start and where they finish. It was a challenging role but I was having a good time. 

Who are “The Loonies” and how does your character identify with them? BH: The term is derived from lunatic. They are all in a group therapy when I meet them. They are all trying to get treatment. It shows you how far the story has come - a bunch of misfits unlikely to save the world but yet together they can do it. What were of the hardest days for you on set and what were some of the best? 
BH: I think being an actor on this level you are like an endurance athlete. You work crazy hours and for very long extensive periods of time. It looks like it's a lot of fun but it is a lot of hard work. It is also one of the most fun experiences. 

Do you do your own stunts? 
BH: I do as much as I can. If somebody breaks something we have to stop production. That’s why I like to go as far as I can but with logic. 

What is your advice to your fans?
BH: Being yourself is sometimes a struggle in life but being you is the best gift that you can give yourself. Never get too comfortable. Always push yourself. Take yourself out of the equation and help others.

Watch the new red band trailer HERE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50_Ala5BKBo

THE PREDATOR arrives in theaters on September 14, 2018!