JIMMY SMITS RETURNS TO ABC VIA AN OVERALL TALENT/PRODUCTION DEAL WITH THE NETWORK AND TOUCHSTONE TELEVISION

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits has entered into an overall talent/production deal with the ABC Television Network and Touchstone Television to develop and star in his next television series. As a component of the deal, Smits' El Sendero Productions will also develop and produce programming not requiring his acting services for ABC and Touchstone, with Smits serving as executive producer. The new series in which Smits would star would be slated to premiere after completion of his run on "The West Wing." The deal was announced today by Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Primetime Entertainment, and Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television and executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group.

"Jimmy's a one-of-a-kind star, and we feel fortunate that he's decided to once again be part of the family. I couldn't be more excited to welcome him back to ABC," commented McPherson.

Added Pedowitz: "Jimmy is one of those rare creative talents that every studio wants to work with, so we're thrilled he's chosen Touchstone as the new home for his production company and his next series."

Smits stated: "I'm truly looking forward to working again with ABC and now with Touchstone. Steve and Mark have afforded me a unique opportunity, enabling me to be intimately involved in the creation of my own new series, as well as creating, developing and producing programming as an executive producer for ABC and other ABC/Disney-owned outlets."

From 1994 to 1998 Smits won critical praise, multiple Emmy nominations and a 1995-'96 Best Dramatic Actor Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Detective Bobby Simone on ABC's hit drama series, "NYPD Blue." His other credits include the television series "L.A. Law," for which he won an Emmy Award in the Best Actor in a Drama Series category, and the feature film "Mi Familia."