Michelle Rodriguez

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Michelle Rodriguez
San Antonio, Texas
, U.S.
Occupation
  • Actress
Years active1999–present

Mayte Michelle Rodríguez (born July 12, 1978) is an American actress. She began her career in 2000, playing a troubled boxer in the independent sports drama film

Rain Ocampo in the Resident Evil franchise. She appeared in the crime thriller S.W.A.T. (2003), and later starred in James Cameron's science fiction epic Avatar (2009) and in the action film Battle: Los Angeles
(2011).

After portraying

Trópico de Sangre (2010), Rodriguez headlined the exploitation films Machete (2010) and Machete Kills (2013), and starred in the computer-animated comedy films Turbo (2013) and Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), while her performance in the heist film Widows (2018) was critically praised.[3]

Outside of film, Rodriguez played

Immortal Grand Prix (2005–2006). She reprised her roles in video game spin-offs of Avatar and Fast & Furious, and also appeared in True Crime: Streets of LA (2003), Driver 3 (2004), Halo 2 (2004), and Call of Duty: Black Ops II
(2012).

Early life

Mayte Michelle Rodriguez

Jehovah's Witness (her mother's religion), although she has since abandoned the faith.[12][13] A DNA test of Rodriguez, performed by the television program Finding Your Roots, found that her ancestry is 72.4% European, 21.3% African, and 6.3% Native American.[14]
She also stated on the show that there was some racial conflict between her families, since her Puerto Rican father had a light complexion as opposed to her darker skinned Dominican mother.

Career

Film and television

Rodriguez at the New York Fashion Week in 2006

Having run across an ad for an open casting call and attending her first audition, Rodriguez beat 350 other applicants to win her first role in the low-budget 2000

National Board of Review, Deauville Film Festival,[16] Independent Spirit Awards,[2] Gotham Awards,[1] Las Vegas Film Critics Sierra Awards, and many others. The film itself took home a top prize at the Sundance[17] and won Award of the Youth at the Cannes Film Festival
.

Rodriguez has had notable roles in other successful films, including

G4's show Icons.[22]

Rodriguez in December 2009

In 2007, Rodriguez appeared in the political drama

Trópico de Sangre, an independent film based on the Dominican Republic's historic Mirabal sisters.[26][27]

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

In 2010, Rodriguez appeared in Robert Rodriguez's Machete.[28] In 2011, she appeared with Aaron Eckhart in the science fiction film Battle: Los Angeles. In 2012, she returned to play the good clone and bad clone of Rain Ocampo in Resident Evil: Retribution. In 2013, she reprised her roles as Letty in Fast & Furious 6 and Luz / Shé in the Robert Rodriguez sequel Machete Kills. She also voiced a character in DreamWorks Animation's Turbo.[29]

In 2015, she appeared in Furious 7.[30] In 2016 she starred in The Assignment alongside Sigourney Weaver. In 2017, she lent her voice to Smurfs: The Lost Village. She starred in The Fate of the Furious, which broke records for the largest global box office opening of all-time.[31] In 2018, she starred opposite Viola Davis in Widows from director Steve McQueen, and in 2019 reunited with director James Cameron on the film Alita: Battle Angel.[32][33] Rodriguez started Cheshire Kat Productions, a production company that produced the documentary Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story (2019).[34]

Screenwriting

As of 2013, Rodriguez stated she was working on several projects, including a family adventure film, a drug drama, and a female-oriented period piece.[35]

Personal life

San Diego Comic Con
(2013).

Rodriguez's hobbies include tactical gun training,

DJing.[38]

In early 2000, Rodriguez broke off an engagement to a

Muslim boyfriend, citing opposition to religious requests he made of her.[39][40] In 2001, she reportedly dated her Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel.[41]

In late 2010, Rodriguez trained with Sea Shepherd to join the direct action activism of the marine conservation organization during Operation No Compromise.[42][43][44][45][46][47]

In 2013, Entertainment Weekly quoted her as saying: "I've gone both ways. I do as I please. I am too curious to sit here and not try when I can. Men are intriguing. So are chicks."[3] As she explained to Latina magazine: "I'm getting older. Eventually it's going to wrinkle up and I'm not going to be able to use it. I wanted to be honest about who I am and see what happens."[48] The following year, she said in an interview that she hoped her actions would help others in a similar situation: "Maybe by me opening my big fat mouth like I usually do and stepping up and owning who I am, maybe it might inspire somebody else to do the same."[49] She described herself as bisexual in another interview later that month: "Bi, yeah, I fall under the B-category of LGBT." Regarding the lack of unconventional female roles available in films, she said: "What's wrong with being bi? I mean, we're getting flak everywhere we go."[50]

Legal issues

In March 2002, Rodriguez was arrested for assault after getting into a fight with her roommate. The charges were later dropped after the roommate declined to press the allegations in court.[51]

In November 2003, Rodriguez went to court to face eight

drunken driving; and driving with a suspended license.[53] She went to jail for 48 hours, performed community service at the morgues of two New York hospitals, completed a three-month alcohol program, and was placed on probation for three years.[54]

In 2005, while filming Lost in Hawaii, Rodriguez was pulled over by Honolulu police multiple times for speeding violations, and on December 1 was arrested for DUI.[55][56] In April 2006, she pleaded guilty to one charge of driving under the influence, and chose to pay a US$500 fine (equivalent to $726 in 2022) and spend five days in jail.[53]

Rodriguez cited her high doses of allergy-relieving steroids as one of the reasons for her erratic behavior.[57] Because the incident was a violation of her Los Angeles probation, she was sentenced to 60 days in jail, a 30-day alcohol rehabilitation program, and another 30 days of community service, including work for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.[58] Because of overcrowding, she was released from jail on the same day she entered.[59]

In September 2007, Rodriguez allegedly violated her probation by neither completing her community service nor following an alcohol education program.[60] On October 10, 2007, following a hearing, she was sentenced to 180 days jail time after agreeing to admit to violating her probation. She was expected to spend the full 180-day term in jail but was released 18 days later due to overcrowding.[59] In January 2009, Rodriguez completed her community service.[61]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Girlfight Diana Guzman
2001 The Fast and the Furious Letty Ortiz
3 A.M. Salgado
2002 Resident Evil
Rain Ocampo
Blue Crush Eden
2003 S.W.A.T. Officer Christina "Chris" Sanchez
2004 Control Teresa
2005 BloodRayne Katarin
2006 The Breed Nicki
2007 Battle in Seattle Lou
2008 Gardens of the Night Lucy
Adventures in Voice Acting Herself Documentary
2009 Fast & Furious Letty Ortiz
Los Bandoleros Short film
Avatar Captain Trudy Chacón
2010 Machete Luz / Shé
Trópico de Sangre
Minerva Mirabal
2011 Battle: Los Angeles Technical Sergeant Elana Santos
Fast Five Letty Ortiz Photo
2012 Resident Evil: Retribution Rain Ocampo
2013
InAPPropriate Comedy
Harriet
Fast & Furious 6 Letty Ortiz
Turbo Paz (voice)
Machete Kills Luz / Shé
2015 Furious 7 Letty Ortiz
2016 The Assignment Frank Kitchen / Tomboy
Milton's Secret Ms. Ferguson
2017 Smurfs: The Lost Village Smurf Storm (voice)
The Fate of the Furious Letty Ortiz
2018 Widows Linda
2019 Alita: Battle Angel Gelda Uncredited cameo
2020 She Dies Tomorrow Sky
2021 Crisis Supervisor Garrett
F9 Letty Ortiz
2023 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Holga Kilgore
Fast X Letty Ortiz

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2003 Slavi's Show Herself TV show (1 episode)
2005 Punk'd Herself 1 episode
2005–2006
Immortal Grand Prix
Liz Ricarro[62]
Voice role, anime TV series
2005–2006
2009–2010
Lost Ana Lucia Cortez Guest (season 1)
Main cast (season 2)
Special guest star (seasons 5 & 6)
2011 CollegeHumor Original Jessica Episode: "Sorority Pillow Fight"
Curiosity Herself Episode: "Alien Invasion: Are We Ready?"
2012
Germany's Next Top Model
Herself Episode: "A Dream Comes True: Hollywood is Waiting"
2015 Running Wild with Bear Grylls Herself Episode: "Michelle Rodriguez"
Super Into Herself Episode: "Michelle Rodriguez is Super Into Superbikes"
2021 Getaway Driver Co-Host [63][64]
2023 Barmageddon Herself Episode: "Kelly Clarkson vs. Michelle Rodriguez"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2003 True Crime: Streets of LA Rosie Velasco[65] Voice
2004 Driver 3 Calita Martinez[65]
Halo 2 Marine
2009
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game
Captain Trudy Chacon
2012 Call of Duty: Black Ops II Strike Force Soldier
2020 Fast & Furious Crossroads Letty Ortiz Voice and motion capture

Music videos

Year Title Artist(s) Ref.
2000 "I Can Do Too" Cole featuring Queen Latifah [66]
2001 "Always on Time" Ja Rule and Ashanti
2002 "If I Could Fall in Love" Lenny Kravitz [67]
2015 "Confident" Demi Lovato
2018 "Nice for What"
Drake

Theme park ride

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Fast & Furious: Supercharged Letty

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2001
Chicago Film Critics Association Award
Most Promising Newcomer
Girlfight Nominated
Deauville Film Festival
Best Female Performance
Won
ALMA Award Outstanding Latino Cast in a Feature Film Nominated
Black Reel Award
Best Actress
Nominated
Independent Spirit Award
Best Debut Performance
Won
National Board of Review Award Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actress Won
Gotham Award
Breakthrough Actor
Won
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award Best Actress Nominated
Best Female Newcomer Won
Online Film Critics Society Award
Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated
2002 ALMA Award Best Actress in Film Nominated
Outstanding Actor/Actress in a Made for Television Movie or Miniseries Nominated
2002
MTV Movie Award
Best On-Screen Team (with Kate Bosworth and Sanoe Lake
)
Nominated
Imagen Foundation Award
Best Supporting Actress in a Film
Won
2005
Screen Actors Guild Award
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won
Saturn Award
Best Supporting Actress on Television Nominated
2006
Golden Raspberry Award
Worst Supporting Actress Nominated
2009 ALMA Award Actress in a Film Nominated
2011 ALMA Award Favorite Movie Actress-Drama/Adventure Nominated
2013 Teen Choice Awards Choice Summer Movie Star: Female Nominated
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress: Action Furious 7 Nominated
People's Choice Award
Favorite Action Movie Actress
Nominated
Chinese American Film Festival Golden Angel for Best Leading Actress of the Year Won
2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress: Action The Fate of the Furious Nominated

Notes

References

  1. ^ a b IFP Gotham Independent Film Awards. "Gothan Awards Recipients" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  2. ^ a b ""Girlfight" a Winner". FilmFestivals.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Vilkomerson, Sara (October 1, 2013). "Michelle Rodriguez talks movies, female empowerment, and sex: 'I don't talk about what I do with my vagina'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  4. ^ "Woman". Michelle-Rodriguez.com (official site). Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  5. Rovi via MSN. Archived from the original
    on July 28, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  6. Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
    , May 20, 2012, PBS.
  7. ^ Romero, Angie (April 15, 2009). "Michelle Rodriguez: "I Feel Like I'm Being Born Again"". Latina. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  8. ^ Stated on Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., May 20, 2012, PBS
  9. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  10. ^ Raphael, Amy (April 11, 2009). "Amy Raphael interviews Michelle Rodriguez". The Guardian. UK. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  11. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez Official Biography". Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
  12. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez: in role after role, she has kicked the stereotype of the token female in the teeth, leaving an imprint all her own". September 2003. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2007.
  13. ^ "The Religious Affiliation of Actress Michelle Rodriguez". World Religions. August 11, 2005. Archived from the original on December 23, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ "Adrian Grenier, Michelle Rodriguez, and Linda Chavez (@ the 47:30 mark)". PBS. March 22, 2012. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  15. ^ "A Conversation About "Girlfight"; October 27, 2000". Charlierose.com. October 27, 2000. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. ^ ""Girlfight" a Winner". FilmFestivals.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  17. ^ "'Girlfight,' 'Count on Me' Tie at Sundance". Los Angeles Times. January 30, 2000. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  18. ^ "S.W.A.T." TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  19. ^ "Interview: Michelle Rodriguez in Halo 2". Gamestar. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  20. ^ "The Ghost Cast & Crew List". The Big Cartoon Database. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  21. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (November 15, 2005). "She loves acting tough on 'Lost'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  22. ^ "ICONS: Michelle Rodriguez Episode #6004". G4 Media. June 24, 2006. Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  23. ^ "Battle in Seattle". The Miami Herald. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  24. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (March 26, 2009). "What a Stunt! Can They Do It Again?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  25. ^ ""Universal Shuffles 2009 Schedule"; December 10, 2008". Sfluxe.com. December 10, 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  26. ^ "Tropico de Sangre". Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  27. ^ "La historia de las hermanas Mirabal". El Tiempo (in Spanish). November 24, 2009. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  28. ^ "Get Your Grindhouse Fix With a New Poster from Robert Rodriguez's Machete". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  29. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez Voices 'Turbo' Character For First Animation Gig". HuffingtonPost.com. July 11, 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013.
  30. ^ "'Furious 7' Crosses $1 Billion at Worldwide Box Office". Variety.com. April 17, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018.
  31. ^ "'Fate of the Furious' races to biggest global box office opening ever". CNN.com. April 17, 2017. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017.
  32. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez Joins Robert Rodriguez's 'Alita: Battle Angel'". SlashFilm.com. February 22, 2017.
  33. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez Joins Steve McQueen's Heist Pic 'Widows'". Deadline.com. February 16, 2017. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017.
  34. ^ White, Abbey; White (August 4, 2020). "'Stuntwomen' Trailer: Michelle Rodriguez Narrates Fiery Doc About On- and Offscreen Fights". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  35. ^ "Hollywood actress Michelle Rodriguez reveals upcoming writing projects". gmanetwork.com. May 18, 2013. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017.
  36. ^ "Actress Michelle Rodriguez Lights Up Tactical Course". Tactical-Life.com. October 12, 2016. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017.
  37. ^ "Fast and Furious Star Michelle Rodriguez Goes Skydiving in Dubai". PaperBlog.com. April 2014. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017.
  38. ^ McLaughlin Duane, Rebecca (April 4, 2012). "Michelle Rodriguez lands in UAE as guest DJ at two clubs". The National. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  39. Looper.com
    . Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  40. ^ "Rodriguez Turned Down Muslim Marriage". Cinema.com. June 6, 2008. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010.
  41. ^ Wloszczyna, Susan (August 6, 2002). "Vin Diesel, in high gear". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 5, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  42. ^ "First shots: Michelle Rodriguez joins Sea Shepherd eco-warriors in Southern Australia". news.com.au. November 22, 2010.
  43. ^ "Rodriguez sets sail with Sea Shepherd". The West Australian. November 16, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  44. ^ Actress Michelle Rodriguez training to become Sea Shepherd crew member, retrieved August 31, 2023
  45. ^ @MRodOfficial (November 21, 2010). "Guess there's nothing better to peel you away from Technological hypnosis more than the Open Sea She's Beautiful" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ @MRodOfficial (November 21, 2010). "Echo Warrior in Training" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  47. ^ Hobart, Andrew Darby in (November 23, 2010). "Avatar pilot turns sights in whalers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  48. ^ Rodriguez, Priscilla (November 19, 2013). "Exclusive: Michelle Rodriguez talks 'Turbo' & coming out: I wanted to be honest". Latina. Archived from the original on June 7, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  49. ^ Hernandez, Greg (May 12, 2014). "Michelle Rodriguez chats with GSN at her first LGBTI event since coming out as bisexual". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  50. ^ Ocamb, Karen (May 20, 2014). "Michelle Rodriguez asks 'What's Wrong with Being Bi?'". frontiersla.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  51. ^ Grossberg, Josh (April 8, 2002). ""Girlfight" Star Off the Hook". E!. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  52. ^ Haberman, Lia (November 20, 2003). "Rodriguez: Way 2 Fast 2 Furious". E!. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  53. ^ a b ""Lost" actress chooses jail over service". CBS News. Associated Press. April 26, 2006. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  54. ^ Hall, Sarah (December 14, 2005). "Rodriguez: Fast and Furious Driver". E!. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2007.
  55. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez settles two traffic cases". Today.com. Associated Press. December 14, 2005. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  56. ^ "Two 'Lost' stars charged with drunken driving". Today.com. Associated Press. December 2, 2005. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  57. ^ Finn, Natalie (May 22, 2006). "More Jail Time for Michelle Rodriguez". E!. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2006.
  58. ^ Lee, Ken; Silverman, Stephen M. (May 22, 2006). "Michelle Rodriguez Gets 60 Days in Jail". People. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  59. ^ a b "Michelle Rodriguez out of jail after 18 days". Today. January 10, 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  60. ^ Lee, Ken (October 27, 2007). "Michelle Rodriguez Sentenced to Six Months in Jail". People. Archived from the original on March 19, 2008. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  61. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez Finishes Her Community Service in Stride". Latina. January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013.
  62. ^ "IGPX STAFF & CAST". Production I.G. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  63. ^ "Rodriguez hosts "Getaway Driver" on Discovery". July 18, 2021.
  64. ^ "Michelle Rodriguez to star in 'Fast and Furious'-inspired competition show for Discovery". Entertainment Weekly.
  65. ^ a b "Michelle Rodriguez (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 28, 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  66. ^ "Cole - I Can Do Too". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012.
  67. ^ "Lenny Kravitz - If I could Fall in Love". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016.

External links