Building upon the recognition gained by playing mortician and adulterer Federico Diaz on HBO's recently ended dark series, "Six Feet Under," actor Freddy Rodriguez has parlayed his acting career over onto the big screen with such diverse upcoming releases as: Dreamworks' feel-good family feature-DREAMER, the adult-themed, societal study of classes-HAVOC; and compadres on a farewell spree in the independent film-HARSH TIMES.
At only thirty years of age, the Chicago-born Rodriguez appears in optimal mode to make his adolescent dreams of stardom come true. In DREAMER, Rodriguez plays Mandelo, a retired jockey who is willed back to racing on account of a persuasive girl (Dakota Fanning) who wants to see her rehabilitated Philly win a major race. To do so, she must convince both Mandelo and her father (Kurt Russell) of the horse's potential.
In the role of the urban Latino drug dealer Hector in HAVOC, Rodriguez's character helps instill the contrast between the upper crust suburban life portrayed by Anne Hathaway and Bijou Phillips to the gritty street life of the inner city. A nonmusical, modern day Westside Story, the festival-heralded film was written and directed, respectively, by Academy Award® winners-Stephen Gaghan (forthcoming SYRIANA, TRAFFIC) and esteemed documentarian Barbara Kopple (THE HAMPTONS and HARLAN COUNTY USA).
As Mike Alvarez in the independent film HARSH TIMES, directed by David Ayer (TRAINING DAY), he and Christian Bale (BATMAN BEGINS, AMERICAN PSYCHO) play two long-time friends from a rough neighborhood who decide to go out for a big send-off before Bale's character starts work in a "real job". Eva Longoria (forthcoming THE SENTINEL, "Desperate Housewives") portrays Sylvia, the girlfriend of Rodriguez's Alvarez.
And, currently in production, Rodriguez has been cast as in M. Night Shyamalan's (THE VILLAGE, SIGNS, THE SIXTH SENSE) latest film, LADY IN THE WATER. In Shyamalan's usual sci-fi inspired style, the film tells the tale of an apartment engineer who rescues a woman from the building's swimming pool only to learn she is a narf, a made-up name for a character from a children's story who is caught between her fantasy world and the "real world."
Earning kudos for his melding of family man and persistent aspiring business partner, Rodriguez not only amassed a loyal following for his likeable and relatable character of "Six Feet Under's" Federico Diaz, but he also garnered numerous awards –two Almas, a Nosotros and two SAG (for best ensemble in a drama), as well as, an Emmy® Nomination for his work.
Though Rodriguez often plays characters of Hispanic origin, it is impressive to see that Rodriguez, outside of lending his voice to MUCHA LUCHA: THE RETURN OF EL MALEFICO (2005) and appearing in HBO's FOR LOVE OR COUNTRY-THE ARTURO SANDOVAL STORY (2000), has not fallen into the trap of participating solely in Latino-concentric projects. Rather, the films of which he is a part appear to go beyond the basic ethnic confines.
His credits include: big screen roles in WALK IN THE CLOUDS (1995) with Keanu Reeves; DEAD PRESIDENTS (1995) with Larenz Tate, Chris Tucker and Terrance Howard; and PAYBACK starring Mel Gibson (1999), in addition, to recurring small screen roles in "Party of Five" (1999) and, more recently, "Scrubs" (2004).
Rodriguez's big break came after working with director | producer Alan Ball (SIX FEET UNDER | AMERICAN BEAUTY) in a short-lived television sitcom entitled, "Oh, Grow Up". When "Six Feet Under" surfaced, Ball informed Rodriguez he had created the part of Federico Diaz just for him.
Acting since the tender age of 14, Rodriguez's interest in acting can be traced to his high schools years growing up in Chicago. During this period, he aligned with the Whirlwind Performance Company, comprised of at-risk youths. Due to his energy and enthusiasm, he received a scholarship to a summer theatre program at the Chicago Center for the Gifted where he performed in over a dozen productions including: "To Kill a Mockingbird", "Twelve Angry Men", "The Crucible", and "A Midsummer's Night's Dream."
To this day, Rodriguez devotes his free time to organizations focused on preserving high school arts programs. He also speaks to students about the many attributes associated with the performing arts and the significance of pursuing one's dreams.
Transcending beyond both his ethnic and familial roots, Rodriguez appears to have done more than simply indulge in unrealistic fantasies. He appears to have followed his passions to the point of achieving remarkable success doing what he loves, working within his chosen profession of acting....
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