Elizabeth Rodriguez

This article is about the American actress. For the Peruvian politician, see Elizabeth Astete Rodríguez.

Elizabeth Rodriguez
Rodriguez at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.
Born
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma materLehman College
OccupationActress
Years active1991–present

Elizabeth Rodriguez is an American actress. She began her career appearing in films Fresh (1994), Dead Presidents (1995), I Think I Do (1997) and Blow (2001). She played Detective Gina Calabrese in the 2006 film adaptation of Miami Vice.

Rodriguez received a Tony Award nomination and won an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Theatre World Award for her performance in Stephen Adly Guirgis' 2011 play The Motherfucker with the Hat. On television, Rodriguez starred as Aleida Diaz in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019). In 2015, she starred in the first season of AMC's post-apocalyptic horror drama series Fear the Walking Dead. She also had recurring roles in Power, Power Book II: Ghost and Shameless and was regular cast member in Prime Suspect and East New York. She also appeared in films The Drop (2014) and Logan (2017). She co-wrote and starred in the 2022 comedy-drama film, Allswell in New York.

Early life

Rodriguez was born to Puerto Rican parents and raised in Manhattan, New York City. She went to Brandeis High School and Lehman College in the Bronx.[1] She later spent two years at the William Esper Studio in New York and worked as a hair stylist before acting.[2]

Career

Rodriguez in July 2011.

While still studying, Rodriguez began appearing on-screen playing supporting roles in films Fresh (1994), Dead Presidents (1995) and I Think I Do (1997).[3] On television, Rodriguez made guest appearances in Law & Order, Lifestories: Families in Crisis and CBS Schoolbreak Special, before playing the recurring role in the police drama series, New York Undercover from 1994 to 1995. She later made appearances in New York News, NYPD Blue, Oz, City of Angels, Six Feet Under, ER, Third Watch and The Shield. She co-starred in the 1998 thriller film, Return to Paradise and played Martha Oliveras in the 2001 crime drama film, Blow.[3] In 2006, Rodriguez appeared as Gina Calabrese in the action film, Miami Vice by Michael Mann.[4][5]

Rodriguez performed in a number of Broadway and off-Broadway productions, such as Robbers, Robbers, Beauty of the Father, A View From 151st Street, and Unconditional. From 2008 to 2009, Rodriguez played the role of Carmen Morales in the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children.[6] In 2011, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play and won Outer Critics Circle Award, as well as a Theatre World Award, for her role on Broadway play in Stephen Adly Guirgis's The Motherfucker with the Hat.[7] In 2011, she had a series regular role on the short-lived NBC police drama series, Prime Suspect.[8] She was nominated for an Imagen Award for her role in the feature film Tio Papi (2013), and the same year had secondary role in the Side Effects directed by Steven Soderbergh.

In 2013, Rodriguez began appearing in the recurring role of Aleida Diaz in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Orange Is the New Black; she was promoted to series regular in 2015. Along with the rest of the cast she received Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in both 2015 and 2016.[2][9] Rodriguez also had recurring roles as Paz Valdes in the Starz drama series Power from 2014 to 2020, and as Special Agent Chavez in the NBC police procedural Grimm from 2014 to 2015. In 2014, she appeared in the crime films Glass Chin and The Drop.[10][11]

In 2015, Rodriguez was cast in the series regular role on the AMC post-apocalyptic drama Fear the Walking Dead, the companion series for The Walking Dead.[12] She left the series after the first season. The following year she had a recurring role in the Lifetime comedy-drama series, Devious Maids. In 2017, she appeared in Hugh Jackman's final Wolverine film Logan directed by James Mangold and starred in the second season of Hulu crime drama, Chance. In 2018, Rodriguez appeared in the teen drama film, Skate Kitchen.[13] From 2019 to 2020 she had the recurring role in the Showtime comedy-drama series, Shameless.[14]

In 2020, Rodriguez won a Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play nomination for her performance in Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven.[15] In June 2021, Rodriguez voiced Rafa Martez in the Star Wars: The Bad Batch episode "Decommissioned".[16]

In 2022, Rodriguez co-wrote, produced and played the leading role in the comedy-drama film, Allswell in New York. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and Rodriguez received Best Screenplay in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film Award.[17][18] The film received positive reviews from critics.[19] She also starred as a Vanessa del Rio's mother in the biographical drama film, Queen of Manhattan by Thomas Mignone[20] From 2022 to 2023 she starred in the CBS police drama series, East New York.[21]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Bedhead The Nurse
1994 Fresh Consuela
1995 Desperado Mariachi Fan
1995 Dead Presidents Marisol
1997 I Think I Do Celia
1998 Return to Paradise Gaby
1999 Golfballs! Bentwood Girl
2001 Acts of Worship Jan
2001 Blow Martha Oliveras
2005 Four Lane Highway Sasha
2005 Sueño Carmen
2006 Miami Vice Gina Calabrese
2007 Tracks of Color Sonia Martinez Short film
2007 On Bloody Sunday Older Isabelle
2008 A Line in the Sand Martel
2010 Jack Goes Boating Waldorf Event Assistant
2010 Pound of Flesh Sgt. Rebecca Ferraro
2011 All Things Fall Apart Mrs. Lopez
2013 Side Effects Pharmacist
2013 Tio Papi Cheeky
2014 Take Care Nurse Janet
2014 Glass Chin Rita Sierra
2014 The Drop Detective Romsey
2016 11:55 Angie
2017 Logan Gabriela Lopez
2018 Skate Kitchen Renata
2018 Making Babies Maria
2020 Mighty Leti Short film
2022 Queen of Manhattan Mama Sánchez
2022 Allswell in New York Daisy Also writer and producer
2022 We Are Gathered Here Today Gwen Cantu
TBA Tonight at Noon Sarah Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Lifestories: Families in Crisis Erika Episode: "POWER: The Eddie Matos Story"
Law & Order Elvira Juarez Episode: "Old Friends"
1994–1995 New York Undercover Gina Recurring role, 5 episodes
1995 New York News Tanya 2 episodes
Inflammable Tanya Santos Television film
Law & Order Caridad Montero Episode: "Rebels"
NYPD Blue Amalia Lopez Episode: "UnAmerican Graffiti"
1997 Oz Maritza Alvarez 2 episodes
1998 Trinity Del Bianco 2 episodes
1999–2001 ER Nurse Sandra 3 episodes
2000 NYPD Blue Anita Rios Episode: "Bats Off to Larry"
2001 Just Shoot Me! Maria Episode: "Finch and the Fighter"
Six Feet Under Sylvie Episode: "Familia"
2002 Without Warning Selena Sanchez Television film
Third Watch Sergeant Chris Reyes Episode: "The Chosen Few"
2002–2003 The Shield Lita Valverde 2 episodes
2008–2009 All My Children Carmen Morales 56 episodes
2009 Law & Order Isabel Alvarez Episode: "Boy Gone Astray"
FlashForward Ingrid Alvarez Episode: "Playing Cards with Coyote"
2010 Cold Case Gina Lopresi Episode: "Bombers"
2011–2012 Prime Suspect Det. Carolina Rivera Recurring role, 5 episodes
2012 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Carmen Vasquez Episode: "Home Invasions"
2013–2019 Orange Is the New Black Aleida Diaz Main role, 53 episodes
2014–2020 Power Paz Valdes Recurring role
2014–2015 Grimm Special Agent Chavez Recurring role, 5 episodes
2015–2016 Fear the Walking Dead Liza Ortiz Main role (season 1); guest (season 2)
7 episodes
2016 Devious Maids Josefina 2 episodes
Talking Dead Herself Episode: "Date of Death"
2017 Chance Kristen Clayton Recurring role (season 2)
2019–2020 Shameless Faye Donahue Recurring role (season 10)
2020 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Rafa Martez (voice) 4 episodes
2020, 2023–2024 Power Book II: Ghost Paz Valdes Guest role, Seasons 1, 3 and 4
2021 The Good Doctor Carina Bardo Episode: "Waiting"
Star Wars: The Bad Batch Rafa Martez (voice) Episode: "Decommissioned"
2022–2023 East New York Detective Crystal Morales Main cast

Theater

Title Role Notes
Robbers by Lyle Kessler Cleo American Place Theatre
Directed by Marshall Mason
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis Saint Monica Joseph Papp Public Theater / Martinson Hall
Directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman
Beauty of the Father by Nilo Cruz Marina New York City Center – Stage II
Directed by Michael Greif
A View From 151st Street by Bob Glaudini Irene Joseph Papp Public Theater / LuEsther Hall
Directed by Peter DuBois
Unconditional by Brett C. Leonard Jessica Joseph Papp Public Theater / LuEsther Hall
Directed by Mark Wing-Davey
The Motherfucker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis Veronica Broadway
Directed by Anna D. Shapiro
Roger and Vanessa by Brett C. Leonard Vanessa Actors' Gang Theatre, Los Angeles
Directed by Silas Weir Mitchell
Den of Thieves by Stephen Adly Guirgis Buchi Black Dahlia Theater, Los Angeles
Directed by Matt Shakman
Unorganized Crime by Kenny D'Aquila Rosie Elephant Theater, Los Angeles
Directed by David Fofi
The Power of Duff by Stephen Belber Sue Raspell Geffen Theatre, Los Angeles
Directed by Peter DuBois

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
2011 Tony Award Best Featured Actress in a Play The Motherfucker with the Hat Nominated [22]
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play The Motherfucker with the Hat Won [23]
Theatre World Awards Lunt-Fontanne Award for Ensemble Excellence The Motherfucker with the Hat Won [24]
2013 Imagen Foundation Awards Best Supporting Actress – Feature Film Tio Papi Nominated [25]
2014 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Orange Is the New Black Won [26]
Ovation Award Lead Actress in a Play Unorganized Crime Nominated [27]
2015 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Orange Is the New Black Won [28]
2016 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Orange Is the New Black Won [2]
2017 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Orange Is the New Black Nominated [2]
2020 Obie Award Distinguished Performance by an Actress Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven Won [15]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven Nominated [15]
2021 Tribeca Film Festival Best Screenplay in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film Allswell in New York Won [29]

References

  1. ^ Ortiz, Erik (August 11, 2015). "'Orange is the New Black' actress Elizabeth Rodriguez costars in AMC's 'Fear the Walking Dead'". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Elizabeth Rodríguez". TVGuide.com.
  3. ^ a b "Elizabeth Rodriguez | Speaking Fee | Booking Agent". www.allamericanspeakers.com.
  4. ^ Scott, A. O. (July 28, 2006). "'Miami Vice': Operatic Passions, Yet Cool in the Heat". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  5. ^ "'Miami Vice' Style". www.cbsnews.com. July 27, 2006.
  6. ^ "Elizabeth Rodriguez Talks 'All My Children' Cancellation, Susan Lucci Going To 'Desperate Housewives'". The Huffington Post. May 6, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  7. ^ "Elizabeth Rodriguez | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Nellie Andreeva (June 15, 2011). "Elizabeth Rodriguez Joins NBC 'Prime Suspect' As New Regular". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  9. ^ Michelle McCue (January 25, 2015). "BIRDMAN, DOWNTON ABBEY Big Winners At 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards". We Are Movie Geeks. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  10. ^ "Glass Chin | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. June 26, 2015.
  11. ^ "The Drop | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. September 12, 2014.
  12. ^ Ross, Dalton (May 18, 2015). "Fear the Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman reveals new details and casting". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  13. ^ "Skate Kitchen | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. August 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 1, 2019). "'Shameless': Mary Kay Place, Elizabeth Rodriguez Join Season 10 Cast".
  15. ^ a b c "Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven". www.iobdb.com.
  16. ^ "Rafa Martez Voice". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  17. ^ "Allswell | 2022 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca.
  18. ^ "Latinx Dramedy Film 'Allswell in New York' Trailer About NYC Sisters | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. October 13, 2023.
  19. ^ "Allswell in New York | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. November 3, 2023.
  20. ^ "Member Lens: Thomas Mignone's Wild Ride from Big Tech to Heavy Metal, Biopics and Beyond". January 22, 2021.
  21. ^ Petski, Denise (March 24, 2022). "'East New York': Kevin Rankin & Elizabeth Rodriguez Join CBS Drama Pilot".
  22. ^ "Awards and nominations", ibdb.com
  23. ^ Gans, Andrew."Outer Critics Circle Nominees Include 'Sister Act', 'Anything Goes', 'Book of Mormon' " Archived April 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, April 26, 2011
  24. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 10, 2011). "Ellen Barkin, Patina Miller, John Larroquette, Jim Parsons, Tony Sheldon and More Win Theatre World Awards". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  25. ^ "Nominees for the 28th Annual Imagen Awards Announced – The Imagen Foundation". Archived from the original on November 26, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  26. ^ "The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards – Screen Actors Guild Awards". Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  27. ^ "Ovation Awards Nominees Announced". September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  28. ^ "Relive the 22nd Annual SAG Awards". Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  29. ^ "TRIBECA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2022 COMPETITION WINNERS". Tribeca.
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