Michelle Rodriguez was born on July 12, 1978, in San Antonio, Texas. Her mother, Carmen Milady Rodriguez, is of Puerto Rican descent, while her father, Rafael Rodriguez, is of Dominican Republic descent. She has an older sister named Rebecca. Rodriguez was raised Catholic. She dropped out of high school, but later earned her GED.
Rodriguez began her acting career in 2000 with the independent film “Girlfight.” She won several awards for her role in the film, including the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize for Best Debut Performance.
In 2001, Rodriguez starred in the action film “The Fast and the Furious.” She has reprised her role as Letty Ortiz in five of the franchise’s subsequent films.
Some of Rodriguez’s other notable films include “Resident Evil” (2002), “S.W.A.T.” (2003), “Avatar” (2009), and “Machete” (2010).
In addition to her work in film, Rodriguez has also appeared on television. She had a recurring role on the ABC series “Lost” from 2005 to 2010.
Ghostbusters 2020 I can’t wait to see this, seems to pay respect to the ghostbusters origin story, looks sick✨🤗😎🤟🏽 https://t.co/ZWy3LmMLy6
Rodriguez is an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights. In 2013, she came out as bisexual during an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
As of 2021, Michelle Rodriguez’s net worth is estimated to be $30 million.
General Info
Full Name
Michelle Rodriguez
Net Worth
$30 million
Date Of Birth
July 12, 1978
Height
1.65 m
Profession
Screenwriter, Actor, Disc jockey
Nationality
American
Family
Parents
Carmen Milady Pared, Rafael Rodriguez
Siblings
Omar Rodriguez, Raul Rodriguez
Accomplishments
Awards
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance, ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress - Supporting Role, Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor
Nominations
MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo, Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Action/Adventure, Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Chemistry, Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer Movie Star: Female, Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Breakout Star, People's Choice Award for Favorite Action Mov...
Movies
Furious 7, The Assignment, Avatar, Girlfight, Fast & Furious 6, The Fate of the Furious, The Fast and the Furious, Machete Kills, Blue Crush, Fast & Furious, World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles, Resident Evil: Retribution, Machete, Resident Evil, S.W.A.T., The Breed, Milton's Secret, BloodRayne, Turb...
[on the longtime speculation about her sexuality, in a 2013 issue of Entertainment Weekly] I don't talk about what I do with my vagina, and they're all intrigued. I've never walked the carpet with anyone, so they wonder: What does she do with her vagina? Plus, I play a butchy girl all the time, so they assume I'm a lesbo... Eh, they're not too far off. I've gone both ways. I do as I please. I am too fucking curious to sit here and not try when I can. Men are intriguing. So are chicks.
2
Basically, right now Hollywood is a giant factory of remakes because everyone is pussying out and they don't want to try anything new because they're scared, I guess. The money situation in the States isn't so keen right now. Our dollar is shitty, so I can understand why the studios are doing the guaranteed hit-off movies. I'm banking on that and I'm proud to be part of franchises that want me back.
3
You can keep knocking me down forever, I'll keep getting up and trying.
4
[on why she always plays the "tough girl"]: Well, could you really imagine me playing the girlfriend that needs rescuing? Or the girlfriend?
5
No matter what, people are so narrow minded that it won't ever be Michelle Rodriguez the actress, it will always be Michelle Rodriguez the Latin actress. And it's just something that I have to live with, because of the fact that people need labels to understand things. I can't even get into this ignorance that I'm dealing with. So I just ignore it, you know? Ignore the ignorance.
6
I don't think it's narcissistic at all to love yourself and believe in yourself. I think some people are really scared to do that. I have to. If I don't, I would not succeed in what I do.
7
My favorite part of my body is my brain. I think no matter what my body looks like, I won't be satisfied unless I know how to use it.
8
I don't want people thinking of me sexually. I don't want people to be like, "She's hot-looking," you know? I want them to listen to me for what I am saying. And I think the best way to do that is to sniff my armpits, and like, sit and burp every now and then. It just completely throws people off. I had a couple of offers to do some hot scenes in the shower with some guy and to make it real hot and sexy. The next thing you know, I'd be the next J.Lo or something. But that's easy. I want [success] the hard way.
9
I think empathy is a beautiful thing. I think that's the power of film though. We have one of the most powerful, one of the greatest communicative tools known to man. It's a form of communication and it's gonna reach you in a way of growth - most of the time.
When interviewed to join the cast of Lost (2004) as a tough LAPD police officer, she insisted that she would only sign on for one year because she is a "nomadic spirit". The producers came up with a storyline and sold the idea of the short contract to the network.
7
She was the original choice for the title role in Æon Flux (2005), which went to Charlize Theron.
8
It was announced in 2005 that she would be joining the second season cast of the ABC drama series Lost (2004).
9
Ranked #34 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2002 list.
10
Ranked #77 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).
11
Dropped out of high school at 17, but later obtained a G.E.D. equivalency certificate.
12
Has two older twin brothers named Raul and Omar.
13
Has two half-sisters on her father's side.
14
Plays the piano.
15
Didn't have a driver's license before filming The Fast and the Furious (2001) and had to obtain one during her training for the car chase sequences.
16
Is an avid in-line skater.
17
Girlfight (2000) was her first acting audition, and she got the role. The Fast and the Furious (2001) was her second audition, and she also got that role.
18
She beat out 350 other girls for the role of Diana Guzman in Girlfight (2000).
19
Is of Puerto Rican and Dominican ancestry.
20
Was raised in Texas, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and in Jersey City.