Paul Rodriguez (actor)

Last updated

Paul Rodriguez
Paul Rodriguiez 1998.jpg
Rodriguez in 1998
Born (1955-01-19) January 19, 1955 (age 69)
Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
MediumComedy, film, television
NationalityMexican-American
Years active1981–present
Genres Observational comedy, blue comedy, insult comedy, physical comedy, satire
Subject(s) Latin American culture, race relations, family, everyday life, human sexuality
Children Paul Rodriguez, Jr.

Paul Rodriguez (born January 19, 1955 [1] ) is a Mexican-American actor and stand-up comedian.

Contents

Early life

Paul Rodriguez was born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, to Mexican agriculture ranchers. [1] His family migrated to Compton, California, where Rodriguez enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Iceland and in Duluth, Minnesota. Rodriguez was first assigned to Lackland AFB after completing training at Sheppard AFB, both in Texas. A1C Rodriguez worked in a Communications Center as a 29130 and had a Top Secret security clearance. He won Tops in Blue.

Career

Television

Rodriguez first appeared in a.k.a. Pablo , a 1984 sitcom produced by Embassy Television for ABC, but the show was canceled after six episodes. He was regular cast member of the 1988 sitcom Trial and Error , but it was cancelled after only three episodes aired. Later in the same year he replaced Bob Eubanks as host of The Newlywed Game for a season (which was renamed The Newlywed Game Starring Paul Rodriguez and also during his tenure as host, the doo-wop hit "The Book of Love" by The Monotones was used as its theme song). El Show de Paul Rodriguez was on Univision from March 2, 1990, to January 1, 1993. [2]

From 2010 to 2011, Rodriguez hosted two seasons and 40 episodes of the MTV Tr3́s comedy home video series Mis Videos Locos. The reality show features video footage of Latino people from various countries who are filmed by devices like surveillance cameras and mobile phones. [3]

Film

Rodriguez has appeared in several feature films, such as The Whoopee Boys with Michael O'Keefe, Denholm Elliott and Marsha Warfield, Blood Work with Clint Eastwood, D.C. Cab , Born in East L.A. , Tortilla Soup , Rat Race , and Ali , and has also performed voiceover roles for King of the Hill , Dora the Explorer , and Beverly Hills Chihuahua . Rodriguez has worked in other roles in the film industry: he directed and starred in the film A Million to Juan , and he produced and appeared in the 2002 comedy film The Original Latin Kings of Comedy . [4]

In 2009, the stand up Comedy Special Paul Rodriguez: Comedy Rehab, produced and hosted by Rodriguez was released. [5] Paul Rodriguez: Just for the Record, which documents a live performance was released in 2011. [6]

In May 2021, Rodriguez made his debut on A Million Little Things as Gary's Dad. [7] He re-united with Jeff Valdez, creator of the Latino Laugh Festival as host of the second annual HA! Comedy Festival, which will air on HBO Max. [8] According to Deadline Hollywood, he is expected to appear in the dark comedy feature film The Immortalist which was scheduled to be released in November 2021. It also features Franco Nero, Sherilyn Fenn, Aries Spears, and Jeff DuJardin. [9]

Awards

In 2004 Comedy Central ranked him at No. 74 on its list of the "100 Greatest Standups of all Time." [10]

Rodriguez was acknowledged with the "Humanitarian of the Year Award" by the City of Fresno for his work in the area of water conservation. [11]

Company owner

Rodriguez is a part-owner of the Laugh Factory comedy venue in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., where comedian/actor Michael Richards was filmed in a highly publicized on-stage rant against two black male hecklers. [12] When asked about Richards's repeated use of the word "Nigger", Rodriguez said, "Once the word comes out of your mouth and you don't happen to be African American, then you have a whole lot of explaining to do." [13] Rodriguez also has an interest in farming and owns operations in California's Central Valley.

Charity work

Rodriguez is known for his charity work, and many of his comedy specials cover serious issues that are of concern to the Latino community. He has performed for several Comic Relief charity specials and in 1995 he performed a television special live from San Quentin State Prison. He is the chairman of the California Latino Water Coalition, a group that campaigns to draw attention to California's dire water situation and was influential in enacting the California Water Bond Measure. [14]

Politics

Rodriguez has been a vocal and active supporter of the Republican Party. In 2010 he endorsed Republican Meg Whitman during her campaign against Jerry Brown to become governor of California. [15] Rodriguez calls himself a "closeted Republican" but voted for Barack Obama in 2008. [16] He endorsed Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential election and recorded a radio promotion in Spanish for Romney's campaign. [17] He also collaborated with former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of his work with the California Latino Water Coalition. [15] In 2018, Rodriguez announced that he supports many of the policies of Donald Trump. [16]

Personal life

Rodriguez's son Paul Rodriguez Jr. is a professional skateboarder (also known as "P-Rod"). [18] [19]

Discography

Filmography

Paul Rodriguez in 2005 Paul Rodriguez USO.jpg
Paul Rodriguez in 2005
Film
YearFilmRoleOther notes
1983 D.C. Cab Xavier
1986 Quicksilver Hector Rodriguez
The Whoopee Boys Barney Benar
Miracles Juan
1987 Born in East L.A. Javier
1993 Made in America Jose
1994 A Million to Juan Juan LopezDirector
Rhythm ThiefEladio
1995 Rough Magic Diego
1998 Melting Pot Gustavo Alvarez
2000 Price of Glory Pepe
Mambo CaféGustavo Alvarez
G-Men from Hell Winiford 'Weenie Man'
2001 Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles Diego
Tortilla Soup Orlando Castillo
Rat Race Gus the Taxi Driver
The Shipment Jose Garcia
Ali Dr. Ferdie Pacheco
2002 Blood Work Det. Ronaldo Arrango
Back by MidnightNext Week
Time Changer Eddie Martinez
2003 Chasing Papi Costas DelgadoUncredited Role
Baadasssss! Jose Garcia
2004 A Cinderella Story Bobby
2005 The World's Fastest Indian Fernando
2006Cloud 9Mr. Wong
Swap MeetCouncilmen Gonzales
Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen Cupid Voice Role
Direct-to-Video Release
2007One Long NightPoncho
2008 Vicious Circle Professor
Beverly Hills Chihuahua ChicoVoice Role
2009 Lonely Street Det. Romero
Porndogs: The Adventures of SadieBatoVoice Role
The DeportedErnesto
2010 Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Crazy Carlito
2011 Without Men Camacho
2016 El Americano: The Movie [20] El DivinoVoice Role
2017 Pray for Rain Francisco Reynoso
2021 Clifford the Big Red Dog Alonso Sanchez [21]
2023Tomorrow's GameJorge Robles
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1980 Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop Himself
1983 Gloria JerryEpisode: An Uncredited Woman
1984 a.k.a. Pablo Paul Rivera6 episodes
1986Hardesty House
Tall Tales & Legends JulioEpisode: Ponce de Leon
The Golden Girls Ramone Episode: Vacation
1988 Trial and Error Tony Rivera8 episodes (5 unaired)
1988–1989 The Newlywed Game Himself
1990 Grand Slam Pedro Gomez8 episodes
1991 Hi Honey – I'm Dead Ralph (The Angel)TV-Movie
Great Performances SatanasEpisode: La Pastorela
1995Live in San Quentin, Paul RodriguezHimselfLive TV-Special
The Eddie FilesConstruction WorkerEpisode: Geometry – Invasion of the Polygons
Touched by an Angel Ben Rivera Episode: Trust
1995–1997 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Jesse the jester/Gilbert/TizocEpisode: Sleeping Beauty/The Fisherman and his Wife/The Shoemaker and the Elves
1996Latino Laugh FestivalHimselfLive TV-Special
1998 King of the Hill Jacinto Episode: Three Days of the Kahndo
2000 Ready to Run T.J.Voice Role
TV-Movie
2000–2001 Resurrection Blvd. Paulie4 episodes
2002American FamilyFlacoEpisode: Mexican Revolution
2002 Mucha Lucha El PotreroEpisode: Pinball Wizard
2003 The Twilight Zone Rosas Episode: Tagged
The Proud Family Limo DriverVoice Role
Episode: Adventures in BeBe-Sitting
Dora the Explorer Leon, the Circus LionVoice Role
Episode: Leon, the Circus Lion
2005 The Buzz on Maggie Julio's FatherVoice Role
Episode: Lunchlady
2005 Zatch Bell Teenager, Various Voices1 episode
2010–2012Mis Videos LocosHimself40 episodes for MTV Tr3s

Awards and nominations

ALMA Award

Imagen Awards

NCLR Bravo Awards

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References

  1. 1 2 "Paul Rodriguez Biography (1955–)". Film Reference. Advameg, Inc. 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  2. "Paul Rodriguez: A King of Latin Comedy | LatinHeat Entertainment". January 22, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  3. Mas, Tr3s: MTV, Musica y. "Comedian Paul Rodriguez Returns to Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas With Second Season of 'Mis Videos Locos'". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ABC7. "Comedian Paul Rodriguez | ABC7 Los Angeles | abc7.com". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved October 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. "Paul Rodriguez & Friends: Comedy Rehab". TVGuide.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  6. "COMEDIAN PAUL RODRIGUEZ "JUST FOR THE RECORD" | Hispanic Lifestyle" . Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  7. "A Million Little Things First Look: See Paul Rodriguez Debut as Gary's Dad". www.yahoo.com. April 28, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  8. Aguirre, Priscilla (September 7, 2021). "More than 40 comedians bring biggest Latinx comedy festival to San Antonio". mySA. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  9. N'Duka, Amanda (December 20, 2019). "Rachel True, Sean Gunn Join 'Agnes'; Sherilyn Fenn, Franco Nero Topline 'Immortalist'; Cameron Douglas, Elisabeth Röhm In 'The Runner'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  10. Comedy Central Presents: 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  11. Steven Bloom (September 2, 2010). "Paul Rodriguez – The original Latin King of Comedy at Tommy T's this weekend!". Sacramento Press. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  12. Lynn Elber (November 20, 2006). "Michael Richards, aka Kramer, spews racial slurs during stand-up". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  13. "Richards Racial Tirade Draws Castigation" San Francisco Chronicle. news as retrieved December 18, 2006 Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  14. "About". Paul Rodriguez. 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  15. 1 2 Torey Van Oot (September 27, 2010). "Paul Rodriguez endorses Meg For all these reasons Rodriguez is widely considered a sellout in the Latino community. Whitman". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  16. 1 2 Haas, Mariah (November 6, 2018). "Comedian Paul Rodriguez says he 'agrees with a lot of things' Trump has 'done'". Fox News.
  17. Adriana Maestas (October 19, 2012). "Comedian Paul Rodriguez Cuts An Ad For Romney". Politic365. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  18. Stephen Cox (April 11, 2013). "Paul Rodriguez Interrogated". The Berrics. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  19. Giovanni Reda (April 11, 2012). "WEDNESDAYS WITH REDA Day With P-Rod Part 2". The Berrics. Archived from the original (Video upload) on June 18, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  20. "Cast/Characters". El Americano The Movie. Olmos. 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  21. "How comedian Paul Rodriguez regained his mojo — and his faith | Angelus News". August 7, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2020.