Paul Rodriguez (born January 19, 1955^[1]) is a Mexican-American actor and stand-up comedian.

Paul Rodriguez was born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, to Mexican agriculture ranchers.^[1] His family migrated to Compton, California, where Rodriguez enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Iceland and in Duluth, Minnesota. Rodriguez was first assigned to Lackland AFB after completing training at Sheppard AFB, both in Texas. A1C Rodriguez worked in a Communications Center as a 29130 and had a Top Secret security clearance. He won Tops in Blue.

In 2004 Comedy Central ranked him at No. 74 on its list of the "100 Greatest Standups of all Time."^[10]

Rodriguez was acknowledged with the "Humanitarian of the Year Award" by the City of Fresno for his work in the area of water conservation.^[11]

Rodriguez is a part-owner of the Laugh Factory comedy venue in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., where comedian/actor Michael Richards was filmed in a highly publicized on-stage rant against two black male hecklers.^[12] When asked about Richards's repeated use of the word "Nigger", Rodriguez said, "Once the word comes out of your mouth and you don't happen to be African American, then you have a whole lot of explaining to do."^[13] Rodriguez also has an interest in farming and owns operations in California's Central Valley.

Rodriguez is known for his charity work, and many of his comedy specials cover serious issues that are of concern to the Latino community. He has performed for several Comic Relief charity specials and in 1995 he performed a television special live from San Quentin State Prison. He is the chairman of the California Latino Water Coalition, a group that campaigns to draw attention to California's dire water situation and was influential in enacting the California Water Bond Measure.^[14]

Rodriguez has been a vocal and active supporter of the Republican Party. In 2010 he endorsed Republican Meg Whitman during her campaign against Jerry Brown to become governor of California.^[15] Rodriguez calls himself a "closeted Republican" but voted for Barack Obama in 2008.^[16] He endorsed Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential election and recorded a radio promotion in Spanish for Romney's campaign.^[17] He also collaborated with former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of his work with the California Latino Water Coalition.^[15] In 2018, Rodriguez announced that he supports many of the policies of Donald Trump.^[16]

Rodriguez's son Paul Rodriguez Jr. is a professional skateboarder (also known as "P-Rod").^[18][19]

• 1986: You're in America now, speak Spanish
• 1997: Cheese 'n' macaroni

ALMA Award

• 1999: Nominated, "Outstanding Performance by an Individual or Act in a Variety or Comedy Special" – Comic Relief VIII
• 2002: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" – Tortilla Soup

Imagen Awards

• 2009: Nominated, "Best Supporting Actor/Feature Film" – Beverly Hills Chihuahua

NCLR Bravo Awards

• 1996: Won, "Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Variety or Music Series/Special" – Latino Laugh Festival