Actress Profile: Michelle Rodriguez, The Tough Girl

Michelle Rodriguez was born on July 12, 1978 in Bexar County, Texas. She lived in Texas until she was eight years old and then she and her family moved to the Dominican Republic. They lived there for only two years before they moved to Puerto Rico. Michelle was eleven years old when she and her family moved for the last time to Jersey City, New Jersey. The reason for the multiple relocations of Michelle's family was due to her father's Army career.

CAREER

Michelle Rodriguez has been working as an actress since 1999. She began her career as an extra in films such as Summer of Sam and Cradle Will Rock. Both of these films were released in 1999. Michelle received her first spotlight role in Girlfight, which was released in 2000. In this film, Michelle portrayed Diane Guzman. She auditioned with 350 other girls and despite her lack of experience in film and boxing she was chosen for the role. Michelle gained critical acclaim for her performance in Girlfight. She earned awards such as the Deaxville Festival of American Cinema for Best Actress and the Las Vegas Film Critics Society for Female Breakthrough Performance.

In 2001 Michelle Rodriguez's next two films were released. The Fast and the Furious was Michelle's second big role where she portrayed "Letty". Michelle didn't have her driver's license before the filming and had to get one before her training began for the car chase sequences. Michelle's other 2001 film was 3AM. In 2002 Michelle portrayed "Rain" in Resident Evil. Michelle currently is involved in two films that remain in production, Control and The Breed. Other films include 2006's Bloodrayne and 2003's SWAT and Blue Crush. Michelle was the original choice for the title role in Aeon Flux which was released in 2005.

TRIVIA

Michelle Rodriguez was ranked #77 in Stuff Magazines 102 Sexiest Women in the World in 2002. She was also ranked #34 in Maximo's 100 Sexiest Women in 2002. Michelle plays the piano and has 2 half sisters on her Father's side. While Michelle lived in the Dominican Republic she became fluent in Spanish and also gained a strong sense of moral virtue that was influenced by her grandmother who was a devout Jehovah's Witness. Although she had spiritual stability, it didn't seem to coincide with her personal life. By the age of 17, Michelle was kicked out of six schools and eventually dropped out. She later returned to school and received her GED.

CURRENT TROUBLES AND PLANS

Michelle Rodriguez is currently serving a 60 day jail sentence for a DWI-related probation violation. Less than a month before she began this sentence she spent five days in jail in Hawaii for driving while intoxicated. She insists that steroid injections that she takes twice a month to treat allergies made her "manic" and resulted in her arrests.

Michelle Plans to move to France upon her release. Other plans include the starting of a clothing line. This is due to fears Michelle has of her acting career coming to an end. She wishes to have a more stable source of income.

Michelle Rodriguez will always carry with her, the "tough girl" persona that began her career. Although her "tough girl" attitude has gotten her into loads of trouble, it will be the reason she is long remembered.