Biography
While a student at the University of Texas at Austin in 1991, Robert Rodriguez wrote the script to his first feature film while sequestered at a drug research facility as a paid subject in a clinical experiment. That paycheck covered the cost of shooting his film. He planned to make the money back by selling the film to the Mexican home video market.
The film was EL MARIACHI (1993), which Rodriguez wrote, directed, photographed, edited and sound-recorded – for $7,000. While shopping it to the video market, Rodriguez signed with a powerful agent at ICM. Columbia Pictures then bought the rights and signed Rodriguez to a two-year writing and directing deal. “El Mariachi” went on to win the coveted Audience Award for best dramatic film at the Sundance Film Festival, and was honored at the Berlin, Munich, Edinburgh, Deauville and Yubari (Japan) festivals. EL MARIACHI became the lowest budget movie ever released by a major studio and the first American film released in Spanish. Rodriguez wrote about these experiences in Rebel Without a Crew, a book published by Dutton Press.
Although it was an astonishing debut for a 23-year-old, Rodriguez was already a seasoned filmmaker. The third of ten children born to Cecilio and Rebecca Rodriguez in San Antonio, Texas, he had prepared for film production classes at UT by making a series of his own home movies. Family members were recruited as cast and crew. His three youngest siblings starred in BEDHEAD (1991), a 16 mm. short film that was honored at many national and international festivals. Rodriguez also blossomed as a cartoonist at UT with “Los Hooligans,” a comic strip in the Daily Texan featuring characters based on his brothers and sisters.
Rodriguez went on to write, produce, direct and edit DESPERADO (1995), a sequel to EL MARIACHI for Columbia. The film introduced American audiences to Antonio Banderas as a leading man, opposite Salma Hayek. Rodriguez also wrote, directed and edited THE MISBEHAVERS again starring Antonio Banderas in 1995, one of the four segments of Miramax Films’ FOUR ROOMS. He then teamed up with Quentin Tarantino on the outrageous FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996) for Dimension Films. Rodriguez directed a cast including Tarantino, who wrote the script. He also edited the film and served as executive producer. Rodriguez’s next directorial project was Dimension Films’ THE FACULTY (1998) starring Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood and Jordana Brewster.
In 2001, Robert fulfilled a lifelong dream and created the family adventure film. SPY KIDS, a critically acclaimed and box office success, went on to break 100 million domestically. He followed that with SPY KIDS 2: THE ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS which won rave reviews and SPY KIDS 3-D, an adventure in 3-D.
The third installment to the EL MARIACHI trilogy, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, was released on September 12, 2003, which Robert shot, chopped and scored himself. He also served as writer of this film. In a matter of months Robert Rodriguez opened two movies at number one in the North American box office – SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER and ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO.
In 2004 Robert began his endeavor FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY, which is co-directed by the creator of SIN CITYhimself Frank Miller. SIN CITY features an all star cast including Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Brittany Murphy and Benicio Del Toro, among many others.
Also in 2004 he returned to his love of family fare with THE ADVENTURES OF SHARK BOY AND LAVAGIRL IN 3-D starring funny man George Lopez. THE ADVENTURES OF SHARKBOY AND LAVAGIRL IN 3-D was released in June 2005.
The Weinstein Company
Director
Movies | |
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2025 |
Machete Kills in Space |
2023 |
Hypnotic |
Spy Kids: Armageddon |
|
2020 |
We Can Be Heroes |
2019 |
Alita: Battle Angel |
Red 11 |
|
2014 |
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For |
2013 |
Machete Kills |
2011 |
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World |
2010 |
Machete |
2009 |
Shorts |
2007 |
Planet Terror |
2005 |
Sin City |
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D |
|
2003 |
Once Upon a Time in Mexico |
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over |
|
2002 |
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams |
2001 |
Spy Kids |
1998 |
The Faculty |
1996 |
From Dusk Till Dawn |
1995 |
Desperado |
Four Rooms |
|
1992 |
El Mariachi |
Series | |
---|---|
2022 |
The Book of Boba Fett |
Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor (E07) |
|
Chapter 3: The Streets of Mos Espa (E03) |
|
2021 |
The Book of Boba Fett |
Chapter 1: Stranger in a Strange Land (E01) |
|
2020 |
The Mandalorian |
Chapter 14: The Tragedy (S02E06) |
|
2016 |
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series |
La Reina (S03E02) |
|
2015 |
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series |
Santa Sangre (S02E10) |
|
Opening Night (S02E01) |
|
2014 |
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series |
Pandemonium (S01E07) |
|
Let's Get Ramblin' (S01E04) |
|
Blood Runs Thick (S01E02) |
|
Pilot (S01E01) |
|
Matador |
|
Mala Sangre (E13) |
|
Quid Go Pro (E01) |
|
1994 |
Rebel Highway |
Roadracers (E01) |
Music videos | |
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2020 |
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande - Rain On Me |
2015 |
Demi Lovato: Confident |
1996 |
ZZ Top - She's Just Killing Me |
Short | |
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2018 |
The Limit |
2016 |
100 Years |
2013 |
Two Scoops |
2011 |
The Black Mamba |
2007 |
Grindhouse: Machete |
2004 |
How to Make Cool Home Movies |
1991 |
Bedhead |
Composer
Movies | |
---|---|
2014 |
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For |
2013 |
Machete Kills |
2011 |
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World |
2010 |
Machete |
2009 |
Shorts |
2007 |
Planet Terror |
2005 |
Sin City |
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D |
|
2004 |
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 |
2003 |
Once Upon a Time in Mexico |
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over |
|
2002 |
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams |
2001 |
Spy Kids |
Documentaries | |
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2004 |
The Anti-Hero's Journey |
The Good, the Bad & the Bloody: Inside KNB EFX |
Short | |
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1991 |
Bedhead |
Screenwriter
Movies | |
---|---|
2025 |
Machete Kills in Space |
2023 |
Hypnotic |
Spy Kids: Armageddon |
|
2020 |
We Can Be Heroes |
2019 |
Alita: Battle Angel |
Red 11 |
|
2011 |
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World |
2010 |
Machete |
2009 |
Shorts |
2007 |
Planet Terror |
2005 |
Curandero - original screenplay |
Sin City |
|
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D |
|
2003 |
Once Upon a Time in Mexico |
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over |
|
2002 |
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams |
2001 |
Spy Kids |
1995 |
Desperado |
Four Rooms |
|
1992 |
El Mariachi |
Series | ||
---|---|---|
2016 |
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series |
|
Dark Side of the Sun (S03E10) |
||
Matanzas (S03E09) |
||
Rio Sangre (S03E08) |
||
more episodes (7) | ||
2014 |
From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series |
|
Pilot (S01E01) |
||
1994 |
Rebel Highway |
|
Roadracers (E01) |
Short | |
---|---|
2018 |
The Limit |
2013 |
Two Scoops |
2007 |
Grindhouse: Machete |
1991 |
Bedhead |
Editor
Movies | |
---|---|
2023 |
Hypnotic |
Spy Kids: Armageddon |
|
2019 |
Red 11 |
2014 |
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For |
2013 |
Machete Kills |
2007 |
Planet Terror |
2005 |
Sin City |
2003 |
Once Upon a Time in Mexico |
1996 |
From Dusk Till Dawn |
1995 |
Desperado |
Four Rooms |
|
1992 |
El Mariachi |
Short | |
---|---|
2016 |
100 Years |
Cinematographer
Movies | |
---|---|
2023 |
Hypnotic |
Spy Kids: Armageddon |
|
2020 |
We Can Be Heroes |
2019 |
Red 11 |
2014 |
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For |
2013 |
Machete Kills |
2011 |
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World |
2009 |
Shorts |
2007 |
Planet Terror |
2005 |
Sin City |
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D |
|
2003 |
Once Upon a Time in Mexico |
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over |
|
2002 |
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams |
1992 |
El Mariachi |
Documentaries | |
---|---|
2003 |
Del Castillo |
Short | |
---|---|
2007 |
Grindhouse: Machete |
1991 |
Bedhead |
Producer
Movies | |
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2025 |
Machete Kills in Space |
2023 |
Hypnotic |
Spy Kids: Armageddon |
|
2019 |
Red 11 |
UglyDolls |
|
2014 |
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For |
2010 |
Machete |
Predators |
|
2007 |
Death Proof |
Planet Terror |
|
1999 |
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money |
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter |
|
1996 |
From Dusk Till Dawn |
1995 |
Desperado |
1992 |
El Mariachi |
Short | |
---|---|
2018 |
The Limit |
Actor
Movies | |
---|---|
2023 |
Spy Kids: Armageddon |
2007 |
Planet Terror |
2006 |
Nice Guys |
2005 |
Sin City |
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D |
|
2002 |
Delayed |
2000 |
Bullfighter |
Famous |
Series | |
---|---|
2022 |
The Book of Boba Fett |
Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor (E07) |
|
Chapter 4: The Gathering Storm (E04) |
|
Chapter 2: The Tribes of Tatooine (E02) |
|
2021 |
The Book of Boba Fett |
Chapter 1: Stranger in a Strange Land (E01) |
|
2017 |
Uncle Grandpa |
New Direction (S05E06) |
|
2011 |
The Cleveland Show |
Hot Cocoa Bang Bang (S02E22) |
|
2000 |
Deadline |
1996 |
Nash Bridges |
Short | |
---|---|
2011 |
The Black Mamba |
2010 |
The United Monster Talent Agency |
2004 |
How to Make Cool Home Movies |
Sound designer
Movies | |
---|---|
2019 |
Red 11 |
Production designer
Movies | |
---|---|
2019 |
Red 11 |
Guest
Shows | |
---|---|
2017 |
Hollywood First Look |
IMDb on the Scene - Interviews |
|
2013 |
Back Home |
2009 |
Red Carpet Report |
2008 |
Piper's Picks TV |
2007 |
Scream Awards 2007 |
2005 |
Entertainment Tonight Canada |
2001 |
Total Access 24/7 |
1995 |
Lo + plus |
Fans
(4,140)- Zeck director
- robbiee director
- Cherish director
- kulyk director
- 2Pac director
- Wacoslav1 screenwriter
- S.Quentin QUALE screenwriter
- 2-Xtreme composer
- DJ Obelix director
- Aknah director
- topr harley director
- Socrates director
- EMMY director
- Fingon director
- Sašenka165 director
- iamek director
- Lenny.M director
- SeBig director
- SeBig screenwriter
- bassator director