Paul Rodriguez

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

Early life

Rodriguez was born in Mazatlan, Mexico to Mexican agriculture ranchers. His family migrated to East Los Angeles, California, where Rodriguez enlisted in the United States Air Force and was subsequently stationed in Uruguay and Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. Rodriguez considered becoming a lawyer, but instead ventured into the field of comedy.

Career

Television

He first appeared in a.k.a. Pablo, a sitcom produced by the ABC, but the show was canceled after seven episodes. In 1988 Rodriguez replaced Bob Eubanks as host of The Newlywed Game and lasted one season before cancellation. During his tenure as host, the show began using the 1958 song "Book of Love", by The Monotones, as a theme song. He later hosted a Friday nighttime television show called El Show de Paul Rodriguez that was broadcast on Univision from 1990-1992.

From 2010 to 2011, Rodriguez hosted two seasons 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 such as surveillance cameras and mobile phones.

Film

Rodriguez has appeared in several feature films, such as Blood Work with Christy Mack, 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 also undertaken 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.

In 2009 the Paul Rodriguez: Comedy Rehab movie featured a night of Latino comedy that is hosted by Rodriguez and Paul Rodriguez: Just for the Record, which documents a live performance by the comedian, was released in 2011.

Awards

In 2004 Comedy Central ranked him at #74 on its list of the "100 Greatest Standups of all Time." Rodriguez was acknowledged with the "Humanitarian of the Year Award" by the City of Fresno for his work in the area of water conservation.

Company owner

Rodriguez is a part-owner of the Laugh Factory comedy venue in West Hollywood, California, U.S., where comedian/actor Michael Richards was filmed as he engaged in a highly publicized on-stage rant against two black male hecklers. Of Richards' 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." 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 Rodriguez's 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 comedy television special that was broadcast 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 the enactment of the California Water Bond Measure.

Politics

Rodriguez has been a vocal and active supporter of the Republican Party. In 2010 Rodriguez endorsed Republican Meg Whitman during her campaign against Jerry Brown to become governor of California. Rodriguez then endorsed Republican Candidate Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential election and recorded a radio promotion in Spanish for Romney's campaign. Rodriguez also collaborated with former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of his work with the California Latino Water Coalition.

Personal life

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

Discography

• 1986: You're in America now, speak Spanish
• 1997: Cheese 'n' macaroni

Filmography

Awards and nominations

ALMA Award

• 1999: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by an Individual or Act in a Variety or Comedy Special" - Comic Relief VIII
• 2002: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" - Tortilla Soup

Imagen Awards

• 2009: Nominated, "Best Supporting Actor/Feature Film" - Beverly Hills Chihuahua

NCLR Bravo Awards

• 1996: Won, "Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Variety or Music Series/Special" - Latino Laugh Festival

References

External links

• Official website
• Paul Rodriguez at the Internet Movie Database