Freddie Prinze was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is the father of the actor Freddie Prinze Jr, and was the star of 1970s NBC-TV sitcom Chico and the Man.
Early Life (Childhood)Born Frederick Karl Pruetzel in New York City and raised in a mixed neighborhood in Washington Heights, New York City. As a small child, he was enrolled in ballet classes to deal with a weight problem.
Interesting FactsHe made his first television appearance on one of the last episodes of Jack Paar Tonite. In December 1973 his biggest break came with an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Personal LifePrinze married Kathy Elaine Cochran in October 1975, with whom he had one son, Freddie Prinze Jr. On November 1976, he was arrested for DUI; a few weeks later his wife filed for divorce because she believed that his escalating drug dependence was endangering their infant son.
NETWORTH And ACHIEVEMENTPrinze received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame a few decades after his death in 2004.
RumorPrinze suffered from depression, which deepened in the weeks following his divorce. On the night of January 28, 1977, after talking on the telephone with his estranged wife, Prinze received a visit from his business manager. Prinze put a gun to his head and shot himself with the manager looking on.
