CHiPs Star Larry Wilcox Explains Why a 'Godfather' Legend Couldn't Have Starred

Wilcox discusses the show's distinct style and why Marlon Brando wouldn't have fit in with the classic American crime series.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In a panel at Big Lick Comic Con, CHiPs actor Larry Wilcox spoke about the classic crime procedural series and why it was so different from masterpieces like The Godfather. Wilcox explained that CHiPs was "a show about two buddies, and then a police story, and it also had a personal story" rather than one focused on drama and method acting. He noted that the show's stars were really the motorcycles, and that he and co-star Erik Estrada just had great chemistry. Wilcox also shared that his favorite episode was when he got to do a day of rodeo work, bringing his own horses and equipment.

Why it matters

CHiPs was a beloved crime procedural that provided lightweight action entertainment during a time when the genre was at its peak on television. While not as critically acclaimed as prestige dramas like The Godfather, the series developed a loyal following through its focus on the buddy dynamic between the two lead characters and their police work, rather than high-stakes drama.

The details

CHiPs aired for 139 episodes across six successful years on NBC, and was even nominated for a Golden Globe in 1980 for Estrada's performance. Wilcox explained that the show was "not a show about drama, method acting" but rather "a show about two buddies, and then a police story, and it also had a personal story." He joked that the real stars were the motorcycles, and that he and Estrada just had great chemistry that made the show work.

  • CHiPs aired from 1977 to 1983.
  • The series was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1980.

The players

Larry Wilcox

The actor who played one of the lead roles in the classic crime procedural series CHiPs.

Erik Estrada

Wilcox's co-star who played the rambunctious Ponch on CHiPs, earning a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

Francis Ford Coppola

The acclaimed director of the crime drama masterpiece The Godfather, which was released in the same decade as CHiPs.

Marlon Brando

The legendary actor who starred in The Godfather and whose acting style Wilcox felt would not have fit the tone of CHiPs.

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What they’re saying

“This wasn't a show for Marlon Brando. If you started acting, you'd start screwing it up.”

— Larry Wilcox, Actor (Collider)

“Pretty soon, you learn nuances. Still to this day, I can figure out how to interface with Erik well. It wasn't a show about drama, method acting. It was a show about two buddies, and then a police story, and it also had a personal story, and that was basically it.”

— Larry Wilcox, Actor (Collider)

“I used to joke that the stars were really the motorcycles; Eric and I just got it right.”

— Larry Wilcox, Actor (Collider)

What’s next

Wilcox did not provide any information about definite future newsworthy moments related to CHiPs or the panel discussion.

The takeaway

CHiPs stood out from prestige crime dramas of the era by focusing on the buddy dynamic between the lead characters and their police work, rather than high-stakes drama. This distinct style and tone made the show successful, even if it didn't receive the same critical acclaim as masterpieces like The Godfather.