Carlos Augusto Ponce, also known as "Carlos Ponce" (September 4, 1972) born in the Santurce district of San Juan, Ponce is an actor, singer, composer and TV personality. He currently stars in the Telemundo serial Dame Chocolate (Give Me Chocolate).

Early years

His parents, Carlos Ponce, Sr. and Esther Freyre, emigrated from Cuba after the Revolution and he was born in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. After his birth, the family moved to Humacao where Ponce was raised. As a child, he would actively participate 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. "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.

In 1986, the Ponce family moved to Miami, Florida and Ponce continued to participate in his school's productions. He was named the best student actor of the southern region of the United States.

In 1990, Ponce participated in the South eastern Theater Conference and competed for the chance to win a scholarship. He won and enrolled in the New World of the Arts Conservatory school of the University of Miami. 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.

Acting career

After the show 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 was very impressed with him. He offered Ponce a role in the soap opera "Guadalupe". Later he also participated in another soap opera for Televisa entitled "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 entertainment publications).

In between productions, Ponce returned to Miami and Univision hired him as the host of a new show to be called "Control". He hosted the show for three years and won an "ACE Award" for his effort. He hosted the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles, along Shandi Finnessey, Nancy O'Dell and Carson Kressley.

In 2003, Ponce joined Entertainment Tonight as a correspondent. He also hosted An Entertainment Tonight Event — Celebrity Weddings Unveiled, a CBS primetime special. Ponce, now no longer with ET, currently stars in the Telemundo serial Dame Chocolate (Give Me Chocolate).

Musical career

In 1998, Emilio Estefan 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.

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