Paul Rodriguez (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paul Rodriguez |
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Rodriguez in 1998
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| Born | January 19, 1955 Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Medium | Comedy, film, television |
| Nationality | Mexican-American |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Genres | Observational comedy, insult comedy, physical comedy, satire |
| Subject(s) | Latin American culture, race relations, family, everyday life |
| Children | 3 including Paul Rodriguez |
Paul Rodriguez (born January 19, 1955) is a famous Mexican-American actor and stand-up comedian. He is known for his funny jokes and for acting in many movies and TV shows.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Paul Rodriguez was born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. His family were ranchers. They moved to Compton, California, when he was young. Later, Rodriguez joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in places like Iceland and Duluth, Minnesota. While in the Air Force, he won a talent competition called "Tops in Blue."
Paul Rodriguez's Career in Entertainment
Paul Rodriguez has had a long career in comedy, television, and movies. He started performing stand-up comedy in 1981.
Television Shows and Hosting
Rodriguez first appeared in a TV show called a.k.a. Pablo in 1984. It was a sitcom, but it only lasted for six episodes. In 1988, he was a regular on another sitcom, Trial and Error. This show also ended quickly.
Later that year, he became the host of The Newlywed Game. The show was even renamed The Newlywed Game Starring Paul Rodriguez during his time as host. He also hosted El Show de Paul Rodriguez on Univision from 1990 to 1993. From 2010 to 2011, Rodriguez hosted Mis Videos Locos. This show on MTV Tr3́s featured funny home videos of Latino people.
Movies and Voice Acting
Paul Rodriguez has acted in many feature films. Some of his well-known movies include Blood Work with Clint Eastwood, D.C. Cab, Born in East L.A., Tortilla Soup, Rat Race, and Ali.
He has also lent his voice to animated characters. You might recognize his voice from King of the Hill, Dora the Explorer, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Rodriguez also directed and starred in the movie A Million to Juan. He produced and appeared in the comedy film The Original Latin Kings of Comedy in 2002.
In 2009, he released a stand-up comedy special called Paul Rodriguez: Comedy Rehab. Another special, Paul Rodriguez: Just for the Record, came out in 2011. In 2021, he appeared on the TV show A Million Little Things. He is also expected to be in a movie called The Immortalist.
Awards and Recognition
Paul Rodriguez has received recognition for his comedy and his helpful work. In 2004, Comedy Central listed him as one of the "100 Greatest Standups of all Time." He was ranked at number 74. The City of Fresno also gave him the "Humanitarian of the Year Award." This was for his work in helping save water.
Business Ventures
Rodriguez is a part-owner of the Laugh Factory. This is a famous comedy club in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. He also has an interest in farming. He owns farms in California's Central Valley.
Charity Work and Community Involvement
Paul Rodriguez is known for his charity work. Many of his comedy shows talk about important issues for the Latino community. He has performed in several Comic Relief charity specials. In 1995, he even performed a TV special live from San Quentin State Prison.
He is the chairman of the California Latino Water Coalition. This group works to bring attention to California's water problems. He helped pass the California Water Bond Measure.
Political Views
Rodriguez has openly supported the Republican Party. In 2010, he supported Republican Meg Whitman when she ran for governor of California. He has called himself a "closeted Republican." However, he voted for Barack Obama in 2008. He supported Republican candidate Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election. He even recorded a radio ad in Spanish for Romney's campaign. He also worked with former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This was part of his work with the California Latino Water Coalition. In 2018, Rodriguez said he supports many of the policies of Donald Trump.
Personal Life
Paul Rodriguez's son is also famous. His son, Paul Rodriguez, is a professional skateboarder. He is also known as "P-Rod."
Discography
- 1986: You're in America now, speak Spanish
- 1997: Cheese 'n' macaroni
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Other 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 Lopez | Director |
| Rhythm Thief | Eladio | ||
| 1995 | Rough Magic | Diego | |
| 1998 | Melting Pot | Gustavo Alvarez | |
| 2000 | Price of Glory | Pepe | |
| Mambo Café | Gustavo 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 Midnight | Next Week | ||
| Time Changer | Eddie Martinez | ||
| 2003 | Chasing Papi | Costas Delgado | Uncredited Role |
| Baadasssss! | Jose Garcia | ||
| 2004 | A Cinderella Story | Bobby | |
| 2005 | The World's Fastest Indian | Fernando | |
| 2006 | Cloud 9 | Mr. Wong | |
| Swap Meet | Councilmen Gonzales | ||
| Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen | Cupid | Voice Role Direct-to-Video Release |
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| 2007 | One Long Night | Poncho | |
| 2008 | Vicious Circle | Professor | |
| Beverly Hills Chihuahua | Chico | Voice Role | |
| 2009 | Lonely Street | Det. Romero | |
| Porndogs: The Adventures of Sadie | Bato | Voice Role | |
| The Deported | Ernesto | ||
| 2010 | Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore | Crazy Carlito | |
| 2011 | Without Men | Camacho | |
| 2016 | El Americano: The Movie | El Divino | Voice Role |
| 2017 | Pray for Rain | Francisco Reynoso | |
| 2021 | Clifford the Big Red Dog | Alonso Sanchez | |
| 2023 | Tomorrow's Game | Jorge Robles | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop | Himself | |
| 1983 | Gloria | Jerry | Episode: An Uncredited Woman |
| 1984 | a.k.a. Pablo | Paul Rivera | 6 episodes |
| 1986 | Hardesty House | ||
| Tall Tales & Legends | Julio | Episode: Ponce de Leon | |
| The Golden Girls | Ramone | Episode: Vacation | |
| 1988 | Trial and Error | Tony Rivera | 8 episodes (5 unaired) |
| 1988–1989 | The Newlywed Game | Himself | |
| 1990 | Grand Slam | Pedro Gomez | 8 episodes |
| 1991 | Hi Honey – I'm Dead | Ralph (The Angel) | TV-Movie |
| Great Performances | Satanas | Episode: La Pastorela | |
| 1995 | Live in San Quentin, Paul Rodriguez | Himself | Live TV-Special |
| The Eddie Files | Construction Worker | Episode: 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/Tizoc | Episode: Sleeping Beauty/The Fisherman and his Wife/The Shoemaker and the Elves |
| 1996 | Latino Laugh Festival | Himself | Live 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. | Paulie | 4 episodes |
| 2002 | American Family | Flaco | Episode: Mexican Revolution |
| 2002 | Mucha Lucha | El Potrero | Episode: Pinball Wizard |
| 2003 | The Twilight Zone | Rosas | Episode: Tagged |
| The Proud Family | Limo Driver | Voice Role Episode: Adventures in BeBe-Sitting |
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| Dora the Explorer | Leon, the Circus Lion | Voice Role Episode: Leon, the Circus Lion |
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| 2005 | The Buzz on Maggie | Julio's Father | Voice Role Episode: Lunchlady |
| 2005 | Zatch Bell | Teenager, Various Voices | 1 episode |
| 2010–2012 | Mis Videos Locos | Himself | 40 episodes for MTV Tr3s |
Awards and Nominations
- 1999: Nominated for "Outstanding Performance by an Individual or Act in a Variety or Comedy Special" for Comic Relief VIII
- 2002: Nominated for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" for Tortilla Soup
- 2009: Nominated for "Best Supporting Actor/Feature Film" for Beverly Hills Chihuahua
NCLR Bravo Awards
- 1996: Won "Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Variety or Music Series/Special" for Latino Laugh Festival
