Robert Rodriguez

Brother of Elizabeth Rodriguez , Tina Rodriguez , David Rodriguez , Rebecca Rodriguez , Patricia Vonne , and Angela Lanza. Cousin of lvaro Rodrguez & actor Danny Trejo.

Went to St. Anthonys High School.

Studied at St. Anthonys University, The University of Texas at Austin.

He earned most of the $7000 it cost to make El mariachi by subjecting himself to experimental drug studies. One of the experimental drugs that was tested on Rodriguez was a "speed healer." He has two divots in his arms as a result of the removed sample.

In April of 1996, headed the list of "25 Most Powerful Hispanics in Hollywood", published by Hispanic Magazine.

In May 1999 he was honored with the Outstanding Young Texas Award by the Ex- Students Association.

Has 5 children with Elizabeth Avellan : sons Rocket Rodriguez , Racer Rodriguez , Rebel Rodriguez , Rogue Rodriguez and daughter Rhiannon Rodriguez.

Ranked #80 in Premieres 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #94 in 2002.

Set up a symphony orchestra in his garage to record the score for Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams .

He wrote two scripts for "Predator 3" (which later became AVP: Alien vs. Predator ). One took place at a ship in the 17th century, while the second one was about Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover s characters being taken to the alien planet, as trophies.

Turned down the chance to direct Kevin Smith s script for "Superman Lives" (which as of 2004 is not being made in to a feature film, having been replaced with another script). Kevin Smith also pursued Rodriguez to helm his controversial religious satire Dogma . Rodriguez turned it down, insisting that the project was so personal that Smith ought to do it himself.

His production company was called "Los Hooligans", named after the comic strip he drew in college, but it is now titled "Troublemaker Studios".

Left the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in late 2001, citing the organization had "too many rules and just take your money."

The last of his movies shot on film was Spy Kids . During post-production of that film at Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas introduced him to 24p HD film-making and Rodriguez was immediately converted. He owns two Sony HDW-F900 cameras, the same model used by Lucas on the Star Wars prequels.

Was originally chosen to direct John Carter for Paramount and had already begun some of the preproduction in early 2004. However, once he left the DGA, Paramount (which will only allow their films to be directed by DGA members) replaced him.

Directed parts of the scene in Pulp Fiction where Quentin Tarantino appears as Jimmy. (Rodriguez was uncredited for his directing.)

After seeing John Carpenter s Escape from New York at age 12, he knew he wanted to be a filmmaker.

Edited El mariachi at a public access station in Austin, Texas. He edited from late at night to the early hours in the morning, because the time was cheaper. However the station would often close up, setting the alarm; this meant he would have to stay at his editing bench for eight hours at a time without restroom breaks.

Absolutely loathed the fact that he had to shoot his movies on film to enter them into film festivals. Soon after Bedhead and El mariachi hit, many festivals began admitting video formats.

Directed, shot and edited a concert film for Del Castillo entitled Del Castillo . He and Castillo share several band members. Rodriguez uses them in his newly-formed band, Chingon (Spanish for "bad ass"). They recently released an album and played on the end credits for Kill Bill: Vol. 2 for his friend, Quentin Tarantino.

Salma Hayek is his childrens godmother.

Is an accomplished chef.

Has resigned from the DGA twice. The first time was so he could directed the non-guild Four Rooms with Quentin Tarantino and two other directors. The second time was in 2004 when he wanted to give Frank Miller a co-director credit for Sin City . Other notable DGA "defectors" include his close friends George Lucas and Quentin Tarantino.

Ranked #48 on Premieres 2005 Power 50 List. Had ranked #61 in 2004.

Since 1998, he has possessed the film rights to the comic book "Madman" by Mike Allred. Although the film has yet to be produced, Allred is the one who helped Rodriguez get in touch with Frank Miller , which led to the latters own comic property becoming the movie Sin City . As of 2006, Rodriguez and Allred have gone on record as saying that a screenplay for the "Madman" movie had been written by George Huang , with hopes to start shooting before the end of 2006.

Was originally attached to direct The Mask of Zorro , but the studio didnt agree with his much more violent and R-rated proposal.

[2008] Engaged to Rose McGowan.

Received his honorary degree in communications, and received his actual degree from the University of Texas, College of Communications in 2009.

Lives in Austin, Texas.

Close friends with Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith. Often the three will be among the first to view each others films and offer their feedback.

Was considered to direct X-Men but turned it down in favor of other projects.

When given an opportunity, deliver excellence and never quit.

Ever director has at least 10 bad films in them.

Exploitation films were famous for taking an issue an exploiting it because they could move much faster than a studio could. If there was any hot topic, they would run out and make a quick movie and make a buck on it, by changing it around and using it, in some way, to give some relevance.

I always wanted to be a stay-at-home dad making art, making movies.

I was a cartoonist when I was at university, but I decided to go into movie making knowing that I could still draw by doing movies, design work, story boards, and such.

Creative people are notoriously the slowest to adopt new technology.

Low budgets force you to be more creative. Sometimes, with too much money, time and equipment, you can over-think. My way, you can use your gut instinct. .