James Roday Rodriguez | |
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Born | James David Rodriguez April 4, 1976 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
Other names | James Roday (professional name 1998–2020) James Roday Rodriguez (changed legal name) |
Alma mater | New York University (BFA) |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1999–present |
Partner | Maggie Lawson (2006–2014) |
James Roday Rodriguez [1] (born James David Rodriguez, April 4, 1976) is an American actor, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for portraying Shawn Spencer, a hyper-observant consultant detective and fake psychic, in USA Network series Psych and the subsequent Psych film series, also writing and producing for Psych. He also starred in A Million Little Things which debuted in 2018, playing Javier "Gary" Mendez. [2]
Rodriguez was born in San Antonio, Texas, as James David Rodriguez. [1] He attended Taft High School in San Antonio. [3] His father, James "Jim" Rodriguez, is of Mexican descent, and his mother, Deborah Collins, is of English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. Rodriguez's father is a retired Air Force master sergeant. [4] [5]
At New York University's Experimental Theatre Wing, Rodriguez studied theatre and earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts. [6]
At the age of 22, he selected the professional name James Roday. In a July 2020 interview, Rodriguez explained the decision was mainly driven by producers and casting directors feeling his appearance clashed with his Latino family name. The characters he read for up until that point were not written with a Latino background in mind. In order to book his first job, he legally changed his middle name, David, to Roday (from an Anton Chekhov play), and omitted Rodriguez from his screen name. In the same interview, he stated regret that he "sold out [his] heritage in about 15 seconds.” In 2020, he announced that going forward he would use his full legal name of James Roday Rodriguez. [7]
Rodriguez started his acting career starring in various theatrical productions, including Three Sisters , A Respectable Wedding , and Severity's Mistress. He took on leading roles in Sexual Perversity in Chicago and Extinction which he produced with his theatre company Red Dog Squadron. For RDS he also directed the play Greedy, and wrote and directed the one-act play Sustenance.
His big screen debut was in the 1999 film Coming Soon alongside Gaby Hoffmann and Bonnie Root.
Other early film credits include the 2003 film Rolling Kansas and the 2005 film adaptation of The Dukes of Hazzard . Behind the scenes, he and writing partners Todd Harthan and James DeMonaco wrote the screenplay for the 2006 film Skinwalkers . The team also worked on an unused script for the film adaptation of the video game Driver.
Rodriguez's television credits include starring roles in 2001's First Years and NBC's Miss Match in 2003.
His big break came on July 7, 2006, with the series premiere of USA Network's original series Psych . Airing following the season premiere of USA's other comedic success, Monk , it was the highest-rated scripted basic cable TV show premiere of 2006. [8] Psych ran for eight seasons until 2014.
In 2017, Rodriguez returned to his most famous role as he starred in and executive produced Psych: The Movie , which he also co-wrote with Psych's series creator Steve Franks. It aired on USA Network in December 2017.
A sequel, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home was officially announced on February 14, 2019. It was filmed in Vancouver in March and April of that year and debuted July 15, 2020 on NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock. [9] [10] Lassie Come Home was the first project that featured his full legal name, James Roday Rodriguez. He once again served as co-writer and executive producer.
Psych 3: This Is Gus was filmed in June 2021 and released on Peacock on November 18, 2021. [11] As of May 2023, a fourth Psych movie is rumored to be in the making. [12]
After Psych the series ended, Rodriguez starred in various pilots and independent films, most notably Pushing Dead by independent filmmaker Tom E. Brown, which accumulated a number of awards at film festivals in the US and elsewhere. [13]
At the same time, Rodriguez began focusing on his work behind the camera as a director, writer and producer. He has since directed episodes for Battle Creek , Rush Hour , Rosewood , Blood Drive and The Resident and developed, wrote, and directed the pilots Shoot The Moon for USA and Quest For Truth for E!.
Rodriguez directed his first feature film, Gravy, in 2015, co-written by him and Todd Harthan. He co-wrote (once again with Todd Harthan) and directed his second film Treehouse as part of Hulu's monthly horror movie anthology Into The Dark, which aired in March 2019.
Rodriguez returned to theater in December 2016, when he starred in the New York production of White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour. [14]
Rodriguez branched out into voice acting in the 2021 animated feature Night of the Animated Dead, an adaptation of George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead . In 2022, Rodriguez directed two episodes of the LeBron James-produced series The Crossover for Disney+, which premiered on April 5, 2023.
In 2023, Rodriguez produced the world premiere of Laurence Davis's play Masters of Puppets for the Legacy Theatre in Branford, Connecticut. The play starred Amanda Detmer, Kurt Fuller, Dana Ashbrook, and The Resident 's Michael Hogan. [15] He also became a member of the theater's board of trustees. [16]
More recently, Rodriguez starred as Gary Mendez on ABC's dramedy A Million Little Things. He co-wrote the series' final episode, "One Big Thing", with series creator DJ Nash.
Rodriguez is the co-artistic director of Red Dog Squadron, a non-profit Los Angeles theater company he co-founded with Brad Raider. [17] [18] In 2012, Rodriguez and, at the time, Black Dahlia artistic director Matt Shakman bought the El Centro Theatre and started a long process of renovations with the intent of reopening it under its original name Circle Theatre. In a newsletter from August 2018, Raider and Rodriguez announced that they had to resell the theatre in early 2018. [19]
Rodriguez dated his Psych co-star Maggie Lawson from 2006 to 2014, coinciding with the series run. [20] [21]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Coming Soon | Chad | |
Ryan Caulfield: Year One | Vic | Series regular | |
2000 | Believe | Bruce Arm / Agent Johnny | Short |
Get Real | Trent Sykes | ||
2001 | First Years | Edgar | Series regular |
2002 | Repli-Kate | Max | Lead |
Providence | Alexander Conrad | ||
Showtime | 'Maxis' Cameraman | ||
Rolling Kansas | Dick Murphy | ||
2003 | Miss Match | Nick Paine | Series regular |
2005 | Don't Come Knocking | Mickey, First Assistant Director | |
The Dukes of Hazzard | Billy Prickett | ||
2006 | Beerfest | German Messenger | |
2006–14 | Psych | Shawn Spencer | Also writer, director, and producer 2009–2014 |
2008 | Fear Itself | Carlos | Episode: "In Sickness and in Health" |
2009 | Gamer | News Co-Host #1 | |
His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th | Himself | Documentary | |
2011 | WWE Tough Enough | Himself | Episode: "I've Been Bamboozled & Flabbergasted" |
Love Bites | Jeff | Episode: "TMI" | |
2012 | WWE Raw Super Show | Himself | Special guest ring announcer |
2013 | Mr. Payback | Malikai | Short |
2015 | Gravy | Marty | Also director and co-writer |
Good Session | Joel | Pilot, lead | |
Christmas Eve | B | a.k.a. Stuck | |
Baby Baby Baby | J.B. | ||
The Nerd Herd | Kip Mitchell | Pilot, lead | |
2016 | Pushing Dead | Dan Schauble | Lead |
2017 | Psych: The Movie | Shawn Spencer | TV film, also co-writer and executive producer |
2018–23 | A Million Little Things | Gary Mendez | Series regular |
2018 | Fortune Rookie [22] | Roday | Recurring |
2019 | Buddy Games | Zane | |
Berserk | Officer Duane | ||
2020 | Psych 2: Lassie Come Home | Shawn Spencer | TV film, also co-writer and executive producer |
2021 | Psych 3: This Is Gus | ||
2023 | Buddy Games: Spring Awakening | Zane |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2009–14 | Psych | 8 episodes, also lead actor and occasional writer |
2014 | Shoot the Moon [23] | Unaired pilot, also writer |
2015 | Gravy | Also actor and co-writer |
Battle Creek | Episode 1x12 | |
Quest for Truth | Unaired pilot, also co-writer | |
2015–16 | Rosewood | 5 episodes |
2016 | Rush Hour | Episode 1x10 |
2017 | Blood Drive | Episodes 1x3 and 1x4 |
2018–2019 | The Resident | Episodes 1x2, 1x12 and 1x13 |
2019 | Treehouse | Also co-writer |
2023 | The Crossover | Episodes 1x2 and 1x3 |
2024 | High Potential | Episode 1x7 [24] |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2002 | The Driver | Unused first draft, co-written with James DeMonaco and Todd Harthan |
2006 | Skinwalkers | Co-written with James DeMonaco and Todd Harthan |
2006–14 | Psych | 16 episodes, co-written with various others |
2014 | Shoot the Moon [23] | Unaired pilot |
2015 | Quest for Truth | Unaired pilot |
Gravy | Co-written with Todd Harthan | |
2017 | Psych: The Movie | Co-written with Steve Franks |
2019 | Treehouse | Co-written with Todd Harthan |
2020 | Psych 2: Lassie Come Home | Co-written with Steve Franks and Andy Berman |
2021 | Psych 3: This Is Gus | Co-written with Steve Franks |
2023 | A Million Little Things | Episode 5x13, co-written with DJ Nash |
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | |||||
Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical | Psych | Nominated | ||
2008 | NCLR ALMA Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Television Series | Nominated | [25] | |
Online Film & Television Association | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
2009 | EWwy Award | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | [26] | |
NCLR ALMA Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
Imagen Awards | Best Actor – Television | Nominated | [27] | ||
Online Film & Television Association | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
2010 | |||||
NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series | Psych (for episode "High Top Fade Out", shared with Saladin K. Patterson) | Nominated | [28] | |
2011 | NCLR ALMA Awards | Favorite TV Actor – Leading Role | Psych | Nominated | |
Imagen Awards | Best Actor – Television | Nominated | [27] | ||
1st Annual Timmys Awards | Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | |||
StageSceneLA's “Best Of 2010–2011 Scenies” | Outstanding Direction of a Comedy-Drama | greedy | Won | [29] | |
2012 | NCLR ALMA Awards | Favorite TV Actor – Leading Role | Psych | Nominated | |
2nd Annual Timmys Awards | Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Won | |||
Imagen Awards | Best Actor – Television | Won | [30] | ||
2016 | POZ Awards | Best Actor or Actress in Film or Television | Pushing Dead | Nominated | [31] |
2017 | FilmOut Festival Award | Best Actor | Won | [32] | |
2023 | HCA TV Awards | Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama Series | A Million Little Things (for episode 5x13 One Big Thing, shared with DJ Nash) | Nominated | [33] |
2023 | Humanitas Prize | Drama Teleplay | A Million Little Things (for episode 5x13 One Big Thing, shared with DJ Nash) | Nominated | [34] |
Maggie Lawson is an American actress who is best known for her role as Detective Juliet "Jules" O'Hara in the TV show Psych. From 2018 to 2019, she held the recurring role of Natalie Flynn on Fox's Lethal Weapon's third and final season.
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and film director. He appeared as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, as Dr. Alan Feinstone in The Dentist, as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych, and as Roger Dorn in the films Major League, Major League II, and Major League: Back to the Minors. He also appeared regularly on The Resident, The Curse, General Hospital, and Cuts, and has had intermittent appearances on The Young and the Restless.
Psych is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks for USA Network. The series stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive eidetic memory allow him to convince people that he solves cases with his psychic abilities. The program also stars Dulé Hill as Shawn's intelligent best friend and reluctant partner Burton "Gus" Guster, as well as Corbin Bernsen as Shawn's father Henry, a former detective with the Santa Barbara Police Department.
"Pilot" is the first episode of the TV series, Psych. It originally aired on USA Network on July 7, 2006.
"Spellingg Bee", also known as "The Spellingg Bee", is the second episode of the first season of the American comedy-drama detective television series Psych. It was written by series creator and co-executive producer Steve Franks, and was directed by co-executive producer and director Mel Damski during November and December 2005. The episode originally aired on USA Network in the United States on July 14, 2006. The installment features guest appearances by Kirsten Nelson, Alexander Calvert, Kyle Pejpar, and Jeremy Loheir, among others. It also features an appearance by sportscaster Bud Collins.
"Who Ya Gonna Call?" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American comedy-drama television series Psych. It was written by co-executive producers Jack Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, and was directed by Michael Lange. The episode originally aired on USA Network in the United States on August 18, 2006. The installment features guest appearances by Kirsten Nelson, Sage Brocklebank, Frank Whaley, and Nico McEown among others. The title refers to the song Ghostbusters, written and performed by Ray Parker Jr.
Steve Franks is an American screenwriter, director and musician based in Orange County, California. He is best known as the creator of the USA Network original series Psych.
The first season of Psych originally aired in the United States on the USA Network television network between July 7, 2006 and March 2, 2007. Produced by Universal Cable Productions and Tagline Television, the series was created by Steve Franks, who served as executive producer with Kelly Kulchak and Chris Henze.
The fourth season of Psych originally aired in the United States on USA Network from August 7, 2009 to March 10, 2010. It consisted of 16 episodes. James Roday, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen and Kirsten Nelson reprised their roles as the main characters. James Roday portrayed Shawn Spencer, a fake psychic detective who periodically consults for the Santa Barbara police department. A DVD of the season was released on July 13, 2010.
The fifth season of Psych, consisting of 16 episodes, premiered on USA Network in the United States on July 14, 2010 and concluded on December 22, 2010. A DVD of the season was released on May 31, 2011. Production officially started in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 28, 2010. James Roday, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen and Kirsten Nelson all reprised their roles as the main characters.
"Woman Seeking Dead Husband: Smokers Okay, No Pets" is the fourth episode of the first season of the American comedy-drama television series Psych. It was written by writer and co-executive producer Steve Franks, and was directed by Jeff Melman, his only work on the show. The episode originally aired on USA Network in the United States on July 28, 2006. The installment features guest appearances by series regulars Kirsten Nelson, Sage Brocklebank, Liam James, and Patricia Idlette among other guests.
"Dual Spires" is the 12th episode of the fifth season of the American comedy-drama television series Psych, and the 75th episode overall. The episode was directed by Matt Shakman and written by Bill Callahan and series star James Roday Rodriguez. It originally aired December 1, 2010.
The sixth season of Psych, consisting of 16 episodes, premiered on the USA Network in the United States on October 12, 2011 and continued to air until April 11, 2012. James Roday, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen and Kirsten Nelson all reprised their roles as the main characters.
Gabriel Isaac Luna is an American actor and producer. He is known for his roles as Robbie Reyes / Ghost Rider on the ABC action superhero series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Bravo on the El Rey Network drama series Matador, Paco Contreras on the ABC crime drama series Wicked City, Rev-9 in the Terminator film Terminator: Dark Fate (2019), and Tommy Miller in the HBO post-apocalyptic drama series The Last of Us. He has also starred in the films Bernie (2011), Balls Out (2014), Freeheld (2015), Gravy (2015), and Transpecos (2016).
Gravy is a 2015 American comedy horror film directed by James Roday in his feature directorial debut and written by Roday and Todd Harthan. It stars Michael Weston, Jimmi Simpson, Sutton Foster, Lily Cole, Gabourey Sidibe, and Sarah Silverman. The film was released in the United States on October 2, 2015, by Scream Factory.
Psych: The Movie is a 2017 American made-for-television comedy film based on the USA Network dramedy series Psych. The film follows the Psych characters three years later in San Francisco, since the series finale in 2014. The movie aired on December 7, 2017, on the USA Network. James Roday, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Kirsten Nelson, and Corbin Bernsen all reprised their roles from the series, with frequently recurring actors Kurt Fuller and Jimmi Simpson also appearing. The film was directed by series creator Steve Franks, who co-wrote the script with Roday. Franks has stated his hope to make five more sequels in what would become the Psych film series.
Psych 2: Lassie Come Home is a 2020 American mystery-comedy film. The film is a stand-alone sequel to the first film from 2017 and the second installment of the Psych film series, based on and serving as a continuation of the USA Network dramedy series of the same name. The movie was released on July 15, 2020 on Peacock. James Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Kirsten Nelson, and Corbin Bernsen all reprised their roles from the series and first film, with frequently recurring actors Kurt Fuller and Jimmi Simpson also appearing. The film was directed by series creator Steve Franks, who co-wrote the script with Roday Rodriguez and Berman.
Psych 3: This Is Gus is a 2021 American mystery-comedy film. A direct sequel to the second film from 2020 and the third installment of the Psych film series, based on the USA Network dramedy series of the same name, the film was released on November 18, 2021 to the streaming service Peacock. James Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Kirsten Nelson, and Corbin Bernsen all reprised their roles from the series and previous two films, with recurring actor Kurt Fuller and previous guest star Curt Smith also appearing. The film was directed by series creator Steve Franks, who co-wrote the script with Roday Rodriguez, and plans to produce three further sequels.
Psych is a series of comedy-drama mystery films, based on and serving as a continuation of the USA Network television series of the same name. Beginning with the 2017 film Psych: The Movie, the series has seen favorable critical reception with the Peacock streaming service ordering all films succeeding the first.