Mel Rodriguez

Life and career

Rodríguez, who is of Cuban American heritage, was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in its Little Havana neighborhood. He first pursued a career in boxing, until he was led onto the path of acting by his high school teacher at age 17, first starring in an AIDS awareness play entitled The Inner Circle with Pedro Zamora. He dropped out of high school and managed to receive a scholarship, at the prestigious theatre arts and film conservatory at SUNY Purchase. After his graduation, Rodríguez stayed in New York, managed a cigar shop, and worked primarily in theatre. He did his first role on screen in 1999 in an episode of the legal drama television series Law & Order, which was filming in the state. Rodríguez then moved to Los Angeles, focusing more on his career in the film industry and less on his acting on stage. His first role in a full-length feature film was in the 1999 comedy Wirey Spindell. He achieved his breakthrough by scoring the recurring role of Frank on the ABC comedy series George Lopez in 2002.

Rodríguez is most known for his recurring roles as Sgt. Núñez on Community and SPC Chubowski on the Fox sitcom Enlisted. He portrayed Marco Pasternak, the best friend and partner-in-crime of Jimmy McGill in the first and third seasons of Better Call Saul. He had a brief role as Officer Morales in the 2002 film Panic Room, and was a main cast member on The Last Man on Earth (2015). He also appeared as Officer Martinez in Little Miss Sunshine (2006).

Rodriguez decided to depart CSI: Vegas after its first season as Medical Examiner Hugo Ramirez.

In 2025, he played engineer Bruce Geller in the Netflix series The Residence.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

References

References

1. [https://deadline.com/2021/05/cbs-2021-22-schedule-ncis-moves-fbi-tuesday-bull-s-w-a-t-reality-1234759758/ CBS Fall 2021-22 Schedule: ‘NCIS’, ‘Bull’ & ‘S.W.A.T.’ On the Move, ‘FBI’ Tuesday, Reality Expansion]
2. (April 25, 2015). "'Last Man's Mel Rodríguez's Career Boomerang is the Most Heartwarming Showbiz Story of the Year". [[HitFix]].
3. "Mel Rodríguez Biography". [[TV Guide]].
4. (April 26, 2015). "'Last Man on Earth': Mel Rodriguez on New Phil "Stress" and Season 2". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
5. Cordero, Rosy. (2022-01-27). "Mel Rodriguez Departs 'CSI: Vegas' Following Jorja Fox And William Petersen".
6. (2015). "Mel Rodríguez Filmography". [[The New York Times]].
7. "Mel Rodríguez on iTunes".
8. "Mel Rodriguez - Filme". Moviepilot.de.
9. "Getting On Cast & Crew: Mel Rodriguez: Bio". [[HBO]].
10. "West of Brooklyn - Mel Rodriguez". WestofBrooklynthemovie.com.
11. "Mark Phinney & Mel Rodriguez Interview - Fat". [[Tribute (magazine).
12. (January 27, 2015). "Film Review: 'Suburban Gothic'". [[Variety (magazine).
13. (March 4, 2014). "Pixies' New Video Connects Graffiti Artists With Astronauts". [[Rolling Stone]].