Here is the biography:
At the age of three, Hechter moved to New York from Puerto Rico with his mother and two sisters. This marked the beginning of his life in a vibrant environment that was rich in music and movies. His mother, a former singer on Puerto Rican radio, often hosted musicians at their home, exposing Hechter to a wide range of musical talents. His grandmother, on the other hand, was a huge fan of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies, which had a profound influence on Hechter until he discovered Elvis Presley. Hechter tried his best to imitate "The King" during his youth, although he admits that he didn't quite get it right.
As Hechter grew older, his family moved to West Harlem, where he struggled to fit in with his peers. Many of his friends got involved with the wrong crowd, but Hechter refused to follow suit. Instead, he surrounded himself with a group of singers who shared his passion for music. To stay away from the gangs, Hechter spent countless hours at the local movie theaters, dreaming of one day escaping the harsh realities of Harlem.
Despite feeling uncomfortable with his Latino heritage, Hechter found solace in watching Latino movies featuring stars such as Arturo de Cordoba, Jorge Negrete, and Miguel Aceves Mejía. These actors became his heroes and had a profound impact on his future career.
As Hechter's confidence grew, he decided to audition for the High School of Performing Arts. Perhaps a bit overconfident, he chose a monologue from Macbeth for his audition piece, having never seen a Shakespearean performance on stage. After the audition, he was asked who his favorite performer was, and he replied "Elvis Presley." To his surprise, he was accepted into the prestigious school.
At the High School of Performing Arts, Hechter felt a sense of belonging among his peers, who shared his passion for the performing arts. He was fortunate to be classmates with the talented Ben Vereen and developed interests in classical music and Calypso music. He also had the opportunity to perform outside of school, including a stint at "Ye Olde Triple Inn" where Freddie Prinze was performing comedy.
Just three months after graduating from high school, Hechter started performing on Broadway. He was encouraged to study opera and, although he struggled to pay for his singing lessons, he was still motivated by his mentor to continue pursuing his passion. He eventually paid off every penny he owed and continued to hone his craft.
Hechter's movie career soon took off, and he landed many roles, including the memorable part of drug king "Rico" in Crocodile Dundee II. His powerful performance earned him many more offers, and he continued to thrive in the entertainment industry.
Eventually, Hechter returned to Broadway, where he had the opportunity to join an old friend, Raul Julia, in the production of "Man of La Mancha." He still continues to perform live, both on Broadway and in his own cabaret show, which has been running since 2000.
Throughout his career, Hechter has been grateful for the opportunity to stretch himself as an actor and singer. He feels particularly fortunate to have risen above his humble beginnings and to be able to do what he loves – perform in front of an audience, whether on stage or screen.
