Michelle Rodriguez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michelle Rodriguez
Rodriguez in 2018
Born	Mayte Michelle Rodríguez (1978-07-12) July 12, 1978 (age 47) San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1999–present

Mayte Michelle Rodríguez (born July 12, 1978) is a well-known American actress. She started her acting journey in 2000. Her first big role was in the movie Girlfight, where she played a young boxer. This role helped her win awards for being a great new actress.

Michelle Rodriguez is famous for playing tough and strong characters in many action movies. She is widely recognized as Letty Ortiz in the popular Fast & Furious movie series. She also played Rain Ocampo in the exciting Resident Evil films. Some of her other notable movies include S.W.A.T. (2003), the amazing science fiction film Avatar (2009), and the action-packed Battle: Los Angeles (2011).

She has also starred in movies like Machete (2010) and Machete Kills (2013). Michelle Rodriguez has lent her voice to animated movies such as Turbo (2013) and Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017). Her performance in the movie Widows (2018) was also highly praised.

Outside of movies, Michelle Rodriguez played Ana Lucia Cortez in the TV show Lost. She also voiced Liz Ricarro in the English version of the anime Immortal Grand Prix. She has even appeared in video games related to her movies and other popular games like Halo 2.

Early Life and Background

Michelle Rodriguez was born on July 12, 1978, in San Antonio, Texas. Her mother is from the Dominican Republic, and her father was from Puerto Rico. Her father also served in the U.S. Army.

When Michelle was eight years old, she moved to the Dominican Republic with her mother. She lived there until she was 11. After that, she moved to Puerto Rico and stayed there until she was 17. Finally, she settled in Jersey City, New Jersey. She completed her high school education later. Michelle decided to become an actress, and also hoped to write and direct movies. She has many siblings and half-siblings.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting in Film and Television

Michelle Rodriguez at New York Fashion Week in 2006

Michelle Rodriguez found an advertisement for an open casting call. She went to her first audition and was chosen for her very first role. She beat out 350 other people for the main part in the 2000 independent film Girlfight. In the movie, she played Diana Guzman, a strong teenager who learns to box.

Her performance in Girlfight earned her many awards. These included honors from the National Board of Review and the Independent Spirit Awards. The movie itself also won top awards at the Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.

Michelle Rodriguez quickly became known for her roles in other successful films. She played Letty in The Fast and the Furious (2001). She also starred as Rain Ocampo in Resident Evil (2002). She appeared in movies like Blue Crush and S.W.A.T..

In 2004, Michelle Rodriguez used her voice for the video game Halo 2. She played a Marine character in the game. She also voiced Liz Ricarro in the Cartoon Network animated series Immortal Grand Prix. From 2005 to 2006, she played a tough police officer named Ana Lucia Cortez on the TV show Lost. She returned for special appearances in later seasons of the show.

Michelle Rodriguez in December 2009

In 2007, Michelle Rodriguez appeared in the drama Battle in Seattle. In 2009, she returned to the Fast & Furious series as Letty. Later that year, she starred in James Cameron's huge science fiction movie Avatar. Avatar became one of the highest-grossing films ever. It is Michelle Rodriguez's most successful movie to date. In 2009, she also starred in Trópico de Sangre. This independent film was based on the true story of the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic.

From left to right, Michelle Rodriguez, Jonathan Liebesman and Aaron Eckhart at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2010, Michelle Rodriguez appeared in Machete. In 2011, she starred with Aaron Eckhart in the science fiction movie Battle: Los Angeles. In 2012, she played Rain Ocampo again in Resident Evil: Retribution. In 2013, she returned as Letty in Fast & Furious 6. She also voiced a character named Paz in DreamWorks Animation's Turbo.

In 2015, she appeared in Furious 7. In 2016, she starred in The Assignment. In 2017, she voiced Smurf Storm in Smurfs: The Lost Village. She also starred in The Fate of the Furious, which broke records for its opening weekend worldwide. In 2018, she starred alongside Viola Davis in Widows. In 2019, she worked with director James Cameron again on the film Alita: Battle Angel. Michelle Rodriguez also started her own production company called Cheshire Kat Productions. This company produced a documentary called Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story (2019).

Writing for the Screen

As of 2013, Michelle Rodriguez mentioned she was working on several writing projects. These included an adventure film for families and a historical movie focused on female characters.

Hobbies and Interests

Michelle Rodriguez at San Diego Comic-Con in 2013

Michelle Rodriguez enjoys various hobbies. These include tactical gun training, skydiving, and DJing. She also trained with Sea Shepherd in 2010. This organization works to protect marine life.

Filmography

Awards and Recognitions

Michelle Rodriguez has received many awards and nominations throughout her career for her acting.

See also

In Spanish: Michelle Rodriguez para niños