Blockbuster-creating, crowd-pleasing director Robert Rodriguez is responsible for some of the most action packed films to be released within the past decade. Earning his nickname, “the one man film crew,” Rodriguez is known for performing multiple tasks on his movies including everything from directing, writing, and producing to cinematography, soundtrack, and camera operation. 

Robert Anthony Rodriguez was born June 20, 1968 in San Antonio, Texas. One of ten children, it would seem that the young Rodriguez had a ready-made film crew with the abundance of siblings. He began shooting home movies and honing his skill at the ripe age of seven. He even handled the camera work at his high school football games. St. Anthony Catholic High School. 
Remaining true to his creative instincts Rodriguez was relieved of his duties decided to fire because all of the game footage turned out distinctly “artsy” rather than raw footage of the game. Rodriguez attended the University of Texas. 

It was where he pursued his burgeoning love of cartooning. His less than stellar  grades excluded him from joining the University film program, but his cartoon strip,” Los Hooligans”  ran for three successful years in the college paper. His first film was a short entitled “Bedhead” (1991), which was filmed with a cast of none other than Rodriguez’s siblings. The short would be earmarked by his unique vision; still no one could have predicted that in just one year, armed with only $7000, Rodriguez would release a picture as successful as “El Mariachi.” Rodriguez’s is accredited with having a key role in independent film explosion of the 90s.  His triumphs extend beyond the decade. 

His career soared partly due to his fresh financial gains. Shrewdly, Rodriguez channeled his earnings into making a sequel what would be considered a remake of El Mariachi.  It featured the intense on screen chemistry between Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, The industry veterans Cheech Marin and Steve Buscemi lent their on screen talents to movie as well.  The film was entitled “Desperado.” The crowds swarmed the box office. Sticking to his sensational formula Rodriguez completed the   trilogy in 2003 with “Once Upon a Time in Mexico Fans would be treated to a Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp, as well as solid cast mates Mickey Rourke, Willem Dafoe, and the sizzling Eva Mendes. Collaborating with his friend Quentin Tarantino, Rodriguez directed a segment of the film “Four Rooms”.  Rodriguez additionally contributed to Tarantino’s   film “From Dusk Till Dawn “starring Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Juliette Lewis, and Kelly Preston. 

The first truly commercial film that Rodriguez directed came along in 1998. “The Faculty” a suspense thriller centered on a story line that had high school kids discovering that their teachers was malicious aliens. (A common premise held by the general public to be certain!) This would be   a vehicle to introduce audiences to big screen newcomers: Josh Hartnett, Jordana Brewster, Clair Duvall and R& B crooner Usher Raymond. It would reacquaint movie goers with Elijah Wood before all of the “Lord of the Rings” hysteria. Never one to be pigeonholed by the expectations of others, Rodriguez surprised   the masses by coming out with “Spy Kids, ” with actors Carla Gugino and Alan Cumming. Despite a lackluster reception, the movie warranted two sequels. Rodriguez returned to his action, adventure roots in 2005, satisfying his early fans with the Frank Miller adaptation of “Sin City”.   

This film secured some big Hollywood names such as Jessica Alba, Alexis Bledel, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Madsen, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, and Bruce Willis. The uber-violent graphic novel turned film won huge critical acclaim. There have been talks of second even third “Sin City” installments.  Rodriguez scored yet another box office smash with “Grindhouse” (2007). Boasting an A-list roaster with the likes of Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan, Rosario Dawson, and Josh Brolin.

The double feature was complete with fake trailers by Eli Roth, Rob Zombie, and Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright. In his personal life, Rodriguez married producer Elizabeth Avellan in 1990. After sixteen years together and five children, the couple has officially separated.  There is some speculation that the split  was due in part to  alleged  romantic involvement with “Grindhouse” starlet Rose McGowan  but spokespeople on both sides deny this allegation. 

Yuddy