Rodd Elizondo was the only son of American actor Héctor Elizondo, whose career spans film, television and theater. Unlike his famous father, Rodd largely lived outside the entertainment spotlight. Public records show that he briefly appeared on television as a child before pursuing a career in early childhood education.
Rodd was born in 1956 and died in 2017 at the age of 60. His life was closely connected to the circumstances that shaped Héctor Elizondo’s early adulthood, as the actor became a father at 19 and later took primary responsibility for raising his son.
| Biography Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rodd Paul Elizondo |
| Known For | Héctor Elizondo’s son |
| Profession | Preschool teacher; former child actor |
| Date of Birth | September 5, 1956 |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Father | Héctor Elizondo |
| Mother | Marie Rivera |
| Acting Credit | The Doctors (1970, 1 episode) |
| Spouse | Maralyn H. Kimmel |
| Marriage | October 11, 1987 – February 24, 2017 |
| Child | Juliet Elizondo |
| Career Location | San Francisco, California |
| Date of Death | February 24, 2017 |
| Age at Death | 60 |
| Cause of Death | Not reliably documented |
| Net Worth | Not reliably documented |
Early Life and Background
Rodd Paul Elizondo was born on September 5, 1956, in the United States, according to IMDb. He was the son of Héctor Elizondo and Marie Rivera.
His birth came when Héctor was only 19. According to a 1997 Los Angeles Times profile, becoming a father changed the actor’s plans. Héctor left City College of New York and went to work to support his young son. After his first marriage ended, he and members of his family helped raise Rodd.
The experience had a lasting effect on Héctor’s outlook. In the Los Angeles Times interview, he explained that his decisions from that point forward had to take his son into account.
Education and Childhood
Detailed information about Rodd’s own schooling is not widely documented in authoritative sources. However, the public record provides some insight into his childhood.
Héctor’s early career developed while he was also responsible for raising Rodd. His father worked various jobs before establishing himself as an actor, and Rodd was raised with assistance from his grandparents and aunt during his early years.
Rather than pursuing the same entertainment career as his father, Rodd eventually developed a professional life away from Hollywood.
Brief Acting Career
Rodd had a small connection to the entertainment business during childhood.
IMDb credits him as Teddy in a 1970 episode of the daytime television drama The Doctors. The appearance is his principal documented acting credit.
There is no reliable evidence that Rodd subsequently developed a substantial professional acting career. His brief television appearance is therefore best understood as an early experience rather than the beginning of a long-term career in entertainment.
Career as a Preschool Teacher
By the 1990s, Rodd had established a career outside the entertainment industry.
A 1997 Los Angeles Times profile of Héctor Elizondo identified Rodd as a preschool teacher in San Francisco. The article also noted that he was the father of a young daughter, Juliet.
His work with young children stands in contrast to his father’s highly visible career in Hollywood. While Héctor became known for films such as Pretty Woman and television series including Chicago Hope, Rodd maintained a considerably quieter professional life.
Family and Personal Life
Rodd married Maralyn H. Kimmel on October 11, 1987, according to IMDb’s biographical records. The couple had one child, a daughter named Juliet Elizondo. Their marriage lasted until Rodd’s death in 2017.
Rodd was also the only child of Héctor Elizondo. His father later married actress Carolee Campbell, who became Rodd’s stepmother.
Because Rodd lived mostly outside the public eye, details about his private family life are limited. Information that cannot be independently verified has been left out.
Relationship With Héctor Elizondo
Rodd’s relationship with his father was an important part of Héctor Elizondo’s personal story.
Héctor became a father before he had established his acting career, and his responsibilities toward Rodd influenced major decisions in his early adulthood. The actor told the Los Angeles Times that raising his son became a central consideration in the choices he made.
By the time of the 1997 profile, Rodd was an adult with his own career and family. Héctor proudly discussed his granddaughter Juliet during the interview, offering a glimpse into the continuing connection between the generations of the Elizondo family.
Death
Rodd Elizondo died on February 24, 2017, according to IMDb. He was 60 years old, having not yet reached his 61st birthday.
A reliable public source does not establish his cause of death. Consequently, claims about a specific illness or circumstance surrounding his death should not be presented as fact.
Legacy
Rodd Elizondo’s public story is unusual because his significance is primarily connected to his family rather than celebrity.
His life had a notable influence on his father during Héctor Elizondo’s formative years. Becoming a parent at 19 forced Héctor to take on adult responsibilities early, and his commitment to Rodd remained an important part of the actor’s personal history.
Rodd himself followed a quieter path. Apart from a childhood television appearance, he worked as a preschool teacher in San Francisco and raised a family away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Net Worth
There is no reliable public estimate of Rodd Elizondo’s net worth. Because he maintained a private life and worked outside the entertainment industry for much of his career, online financial estimates cannot be considered sufficiently reliable.
Interesting Facts About Rodd Elizondo
- Rodd Elizondo was born on September 5, 1956.
- He was Héctor Elizondo’s only child.
- His father became a parent at age 19.
- Rodd had a credited appearance as Teddy in The Doctors.
- He later worked as a preschool teacher in San Francisco.
- Rodd was married to Maralyn H. Kimmel from 1987 until his death.
- He and Kimmel had a daughter named Juliet.
- Rodd died on February 24, 2017, at age 60.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Rodd Elizondo?
Rodd Elizondo was the son of actor Héctor Elizondo. He briefly appeared as a child actor and later worked as a preschool teacher in San Francisco.
When was Rodd Elizondo born?
Rodd Elizondo was born on September 5, 1956, according to IMDb.
Who was Rodd Elizondo’s father?
His father was Héctor Elizondo, the American actor known for numerous film and television roles, including Pretty Woman, Chicago Hope and Last Man Standing.
Was Rodd Elizondo an actor?
Yes, but only briefly. IMDb credits him with playing Teddy in an episode of The Doctors. There is no reliable evidence of a substantial acting career afterward.
What did Rodd Elizondo do for a living?
A 1997 Los Angeles Times profile identified Rodd as a preschool teacher in San Francisco.
Was Rodd Elizondo married?
Yes. IMDb records that he married Maralyn H. Kimmel on October 11, 1987. They remained married until his death in 2017 and had one daughter, Juliet.
When did Rodd Elizondo die?
Rodd Elizondo died on February 24, 2017, at the age of 60. A reliable public source does not establish his cause of death.
Conclusion
Rodd Elizondo lived much of his life away from the public attention that followed his father, Héctor Elizondo. Although he had a brief childhood television appearance, his documented adult career was in early childhood education rather than acting.
His story remains an important part of Héctor Elizondo’s biography, particularly because becoming Rodd’s father at a young age shaped the actor’s early responsibilities and outlook. Rodd died in 2017, leaving behind his wife, daughter and a family history that began long before his father’s Hollywood fame.
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