Jai Rodriguez is an American actor and musician best known as the culture guide on the Bravo network's
Emmy-winning American reality television program ''
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
''Queer Eye'' is an American reality television series that premiered on the cable television network Bravo in July 2003. Originally ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'', the title was later shortened to broaden the overall scope. The series was cr ...
''. He has also co-authored a book with the other ''Queer Eye'' hosts. Rodriguez starred as Geoffrey in the
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
sitcom ''
Malibu Country
''Malibu Country'' is an American sitcom that ran on ABC from November 2, 2012, to March 22, 2013. The series was created by David A. Stewart and marks Reba McEntire's return to series television, following up her previous sitcom '' Reba'' (2001 ...
'' from 2012 to 2013.
Personal life
Rodriguez is of Puerto Rican and Italian descent,
He performed with gospel choirs from the age of eleven, and studied musical theater at the Boces Cultural Art Center in
Syosset, New York
Syosset (also known as Little East Woods or Locust Grove) is a hamlet and census-designated place in the Town of Oyster Bay, in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 19,259 at the 202 ...
(now called Long Island High School for the Arts).
He also attended
Smithtown Christian School
Smithtown Christian School is a Private school, private school in Smithtown, New York, Smithtown, New York (state), New York. It was established in 1978 and has students from preschool through twelfth grade#United States, twelfth grade.
Referenc ...
and
Smithtown High School (now Smithtown West) where he performed in various plays.
Career
Acting
Rodriguez is a stage actor and singer best known for his roles in the Toronto cast of
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
stage musical ''
Rent
Rent may refer to:
Economics
*Renting, an agreement where a payment is made for the temporary use of a good, service or property
*Economic rent, any payment in excess of the cost of production
*Rent-seeking, attempting to increase one's share of e ...
'', as Angel, and the
Off-Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
musical ''
Zanna, Don't!
''Zanna, Don't!'' (subtitled "A Musical Fairy Tale") is a 2003 musical written by Tim Acito with additional lyrics and material by Alexander Dinelaris. The story is set in a parallel universe where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality i ...
'', as Zanna.
He has also acted in several plays, including ''
Spinning into Butter'' at the
Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 millio ...
.
In 2005, he created and performed his own one night stage show, "Jai Rodriguez: xPosed."
xPosed told the story of Rodriguez's life and struggle to come out to his religious family, and of his career on stage and in ''Queer Eye.'' His ''Queer Eye'' co-stars
Ted Allen
Edward Reese Allen (born May 20, 1965) is an American author and television personality. He was the food and wine connoisseur on the Bravo network's television program '' Queer Eye'', and has been the host of the TV cooking competition series ' ...
and
Carson Kressley
Carson Kressley (born November 11, 1969) is an American television personality, actor, and designer. Beginning in 2003, he appeared in the Bravo series ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy''. He was also the motivational host of the TV show ''How to ...
appeared as themselves.
In November 1993, at age 14, Rodriguez appeared in one episode of the daytime drama ''
All My Children
''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 20 ...
''. In August 2005, he made a two-day guest appearance on the
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
daytime drama ''
One Life to Live
''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as a web series on Hulu and iTunes ...
''.
In November 2005, while ''
Queer Eye'' was on filming hiatus, he joined the cast of ''
The Producers'' on Broadway for three months, playing the role of Carmen Ghia. He played a different role, that of Sabu, in
the 2005 ''Producers'' movie.
In August 2007, Rodriguez filmed a guest starring role in drama series ''
Nip/Tuck
''Nip/Tuck'' is an American medical drama television series created by Ryan Murphy that aired on FX in the United States from July 22, 2003, to March 3, 2010. The series, which also incorporates elements of crime drama, black comedy, family dra ...
'', playing the character of Chaz Darling. The episode (also titled "Chaz Darling") aired in November 2007.
In March 2010, Rodriguez appeared as a newscaster in the music video for "
Telephone
A telephone is a telecommunications device that permits two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are too far apart to be easily heard directly. A telephone converts sound, typically and most efficiently the human voice, into e ...
", with
Lady Gaga
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...
and
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...
.
In February 2011, Rodriguez appeared in an episode of the ABC series ''
Detroit 1-8-7
''Detroit 1-8-7'' is an American police procedural drama series about the Detroit Police Department's leading homicide unit, created by Jason Richman for ABC. It featured an ensemble cast of actors including Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel. ...
'' titled "Legacy; Drag City", playing a drag queen.
In March 2011, Rodriguez made an appearance in an episode of NBC's ''
Harry's Law
''Harry's Law'' is an American legal comedy-drama television series created by David E. Kelley, which ran for two seasons on NBC from January 17, 2011, to May 27, 2012. On May 11, 2012, NBC announced that ''Harry's Law'' would not be renewed for ...
'', titled "Send in the Clowns", as a transgender woman fired after an affair with a club owner was exposed.
In November 2011, Rodriguez appeared in an episode of ''
How I Met Your Mother
''How I Met Your Mother'' (often abbreviated as ''HIMYM'') is an American sitcom, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays for CBS. The series, which aired from September 19, 2005 to March 31, 2014, follows the main character, Ted Mosby, and his ...
'' called "
The Rebound Girl
"The Rebound Girl" is the 11th episode of the seventh season of the CBS sitcom ''How I Met Your Mother'', and the 147th episode overall. It aired on November 21, 2011.
Plot
Ted and Barney have been drinking and they decide to adopt a child ...
", playing the husband of
Barney Stinson
Barnabus Stinson is a fictional character portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris and created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series ''How I Met Your Mother'' (2005–2014).
One of the show's main characters, Barney is known f ...
's brother. He appeared again in March 2014 in the episode "
Gary Blauman
"Gary Blauman" is the 21st episode of the ninth season of the CBS sitcom '' How I Met Your Mother'', and the 205th episode overall.
Plot
Ted and the Mother are going out to dinner on their first date at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, three days a ...
".
Rodriguez regularly guest performs in ''Cookin' With Gas '', a long-running all improv show, at
The Groundlings
The Groundlings is an American improvisational and sketch comedy troupe and school based in Los Angeles. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin, whose improvisational theater techniques ...
Theatre in Los Angeles.
In April 2012, he appeared in an episode of ''
Bones
A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various other organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, an ...
'' as a murdering hairdresser Theo Alex Norman.
As of May 2012, the new ABC sitcom ''
Malibu Country
''Malibu Country'' is an American sitcom that ran on ABC from November 2, 2012, to March 22, 2013. The series was created by David A. Stewart and marks Reba McEntire's return to series television, following up her previous sitcom '' Reba'' (2001 ...
'' was picked up. Rodriguez was a regular cast member, playing record industry executive, Geoffrey.
In November 2014, Rodriguez appears as Diego Diaz in ''
Kingdom
Kingdom commonly refers to:
* A monarchy ruled by a king or queen
* Kingdom (biology), a category in biological taxonomy
Kingdom may also refer to:
Arts and media Television
* ''Kingdom'' (British TV series), a 2007 British television drama s ...
'' on
DirecTV
DirecTV (trademarked as DIRECTV) is an American multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital satellite service serving the United States. It ...
Audience Network, a
physical therapist
Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, management, prognosis, patient ...
treating
MMA
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on strike (attack), striking, grappling and ground f ...
fighter Nate Kulina, played by
Nick Jonas
Nicholas Jerry Jonas (born September 16, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter and actor. Jonas began acting on Broadway at the age of seven, and released his debut single in 2002; this caught the attention of Columbia Records, where Jonas ...
.
From August 2014, Rodriguez appears as "Ritchie Valentine" in ''
The Horizon''.
Television hosting
In 2003, Rodriguez became ''Queer Eye'' resident "Culture Vulture", functioning as the show's expert on the topic of culture, and the show's success brought him increased exposure. He was a replacement host for the show's originally-cast culture host, but has been part of Queer Eye since the third episode. This show includes five guys, known as the "Fab Five." The roles of the "Fab Five" are a grooming guru, food and wine connoisseur, fashion savant, a designer doctor, and a culture vulture. The purpose of the show is to create a better sense of fashion, function, and culture between all straight men. A very interesting aspect of the show is the chemistry and great casting of the "Fab Five." These actors seem like they have been the best of friends since drama camp began back in time. However, none of the men knew each other before the show started. Since Jai Rodriguez is the youngest guy in the clique by ten years, he is considered to be the unique one. He came into the show after it had already begun. Also, Jai is the only person of color on the show.
In April 2004, Jai hosted ''Bravo on With the Show.'' This was a contest on Bravo in which 50 actors and actresses won a trip to New York City to work with Broadway professionals. This three-day workshop helped these 10 to 17-year-old teens develop their acting skills.
In May 2007, Rodriguez announced he would be appearing as a regular judge on two new reality shows:
MTV
MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...
's ''Shower Power'' (an American Idol-type singing contest) and
Court TV
Court TV is an American digital broadcast network and former cable television channel. It was originally launched in 1991 with a focus on crime-themed programs such as true crime documentary series, legal analysis talk shows, and live news cove ...
's ''The Jury,'' (a Judge Judy-type show where cases are decided by a panel of celebrity judges).
On November 3, 2007, Rodriguez started co-hosting (with
Daisy Fuentes
Daisy Fuentes (born November 17, 1966) is a Cuban-American actress, comedian, model, television host and former weather presenter. Fuentes broke barriers as MTV's first Latina VJ (signed to MTV and MTV Latin America simultaneously) and as Revlon ...
) a new show, ''Ultimate Style'', on the
Style Network
Esquire Network was an American pay television network that was a 50/50 joint venture between NBCUniversal and the Hearst Corporation. The network carried programs aimed at a metrosexual audience centering on travel, cooking, sports and fashio ...
. The weekly series covers celebrities, fashion, beauty, home and all things related to style. Also in 2007, Rodriguez hosted one season of travel/style show Styleyes on
Sí TV.
Rodriguez also hosted the
Animal Planet
Animal Planet (stylized in all lowercase since 2018) is an American multinational pay television channel owned by the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks unit of Warner Bros. Discovery. First established on June 1, 1996, the network is primarily dev ...
reality TV show ''
Groomer Has It
''Groomer Has It'' is an American reality television broadcast on Animal Planet. It features a competition between twelve of America's best dog groomers to see who is the best groomer in America. The prize includes $50,000 and a "mobile grooming ...
'', which premiered April 12, 2008 on
Animal Planet
Animal Planet (stylized in all lowercase since 2018) is an American multinational pay television channel owned by the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks unit of Warner Bros. Discovery. First established on June 1, 1996, the network is primarily dev ...
. He also appears on ''
GSN Live
''GSN Live'' is an American live interactive show on Game Show Network that premiered on February 25, 2008, at noon ET and officially ended its 3-year run on July 29, 2011. The last "live" edition aired May 13, 2011. It lasted three hours in be ...
'' as a sub host.
Music
As a singer, Rodriguez has performed on stage and as a recording artist. In 2002, he created his own musical cabaret show, titled ''Monday Night Twisted Cabaret,'' which ran at New York gay club xl for a year.
Rodriguez continued to perform ''Twisted Cabaret'' on a sporadic basis between 2004–2006.
Rodriguez released his first single, "Love Is Good", on the indie record label
Arrive at Eleven Productions in March 2003.
He then recorded his debut album for
Airgo Records. The first single from the album, ''Broken'', was released on October 4, 2007.
Rodriguez appeared as one of the celebrity singers on the
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
reality TV show ''
Celebrity Duets
''Celebrity Duets'' was an American reality television show, of the progressive game-show type, which combined celebrities of different backgrounds with professional singers in a weekly elimination competition.
History
The show was a take-off of ...
'', which premiered August 29. He was eliminated on September 22, 2006.
Books
Rodriguez is also a co-author of the
New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
bestselling book,
''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: The Fab Five's Guide to Looking Better, Cooking Better, Dressing Better, Behaving Better, and Living Better'' (Published by Clarkson Potter, 2004).
Filmography
References
External links
*
Photoshoot with Jai Rodriguez
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodriguez, Jai
Living people
American television personalities
Emmy Award winners
American gay actors
LGBT broadcasters from the United States
21st-century American male actors
American male television actors
Male actors from New York (state)
American musicians of Puerto Rican descent
American people of Italian descent
American male film actors
LGBT Hispanic and Latino American people
Year of birth missing (living people)