Whatever Happened To The Cast Of The Princess Diaries?

For Queen Clarisse and the princess-in-training, Joe (Héctor Elizondo) is a steadfast and calming presence — and off-screen Elizondo is a similarly ubiquitous figure in director Garry Marshall’s movies. From 1982’s «Young Doctors in Love» to «Mother’s Day» in 2016, Elizondo had a supporting role in 18 of Marshall’s movies. In an interview with Variety about their 34-year working relationship, Elizondo said, «Garry kept reminding people how lucky we are to be working. He liked hiring the same people, because you don’t have to explain stuff.»

Outside of his appearances in Marshall’s movies, Elizondo carved out a successful voice acting career, voicing Carlos Sanchez in «The Book of Life,» Jim Gordon in «The LEGO Batman Movie,» and characters in TV series like «Elena of Avalor» and «Star Wars: The Bad Batch.» He also appeared alongside Tim Allen and Nancy Travis in the sitcom «Last Man Standing.»

While proud of his Latino heritage, Elizondo is careful about the roles he chooses and refuses ones that play into stereotypes. Speaking to the Washington Post, Elizondo said, «I don’t see what my ancestry has to do with it. I think by putting me in that box, by categorizing me, you’re taking away my options and my opportunity.»