Trivia

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

Salma Hayek is his children's godmother.

Has resigned from the DGA twice. The first time was so he could directed the non-guild Groom Service (1995) 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 (2005). Other notable DGA "defectors" include his close friends George Lucas and Quentin Tarantino.

Directed parts of the scene in Pulp Fiction (1994) where Quentin Tarantino appears as Jimmy. (Rodriguez was uncredited for his directing.)

Is an accomplished chef.

Was originally attached to direct Le Masque de Zorro (1998), but the studio didn't agree with his much more violent and R-rated proposal.

He earned most of the $7000 it cost to make El Mariachi (1992) 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.

Absolutely loathed the fact that he had to shoot his movies on film to enter them into film festivals. Soon after Bedhead (1991) and El Mariachi (1992) hit, many festivals began admitting video formats.

Brother of Elizabeth Rodriguez, Tina Rodriguez, David R. Rodriguez, Rebecca Rodriguez, Patricia Vonne, and Angela Lanza. Cousin of Álvaro Rodríguez & actor Danny Trejo.

Edited El Mariachi (1992) 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.

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

After seeing John Carpenter's New-York 1997 (1981) at age 12, he knew he wanted to be a filmmaker.

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 (1999). Rodriguez turned it down, insisting that the project was so personal that Smith ought to do it himself.

Was originally chosen to direct John Carter (2012) 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.

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

He wrote two scripts for "Predator 3" (which later became Alien vs. Predator (2004)). 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.

The last of his movies shot on film was Spy Kids (2001). 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 considered to direct X-Men (2000) but turned it down in favor of other projects.

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

[2008] Engaged to Rose McGowan.

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

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

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 latter's own comic property becoming the movie Sin City (2005). As of 2006, Rodriguez and Allred have gone on record as saying that a screenplay for the "Madman" movie (based on an outline by the two of them) had been written by George Huang, with hopes to start shooting before the end of 2006.

Lives in Austin, Texas.

Directed, shot and edited a concert film for Del Castillo entitled Del Castillo (2003). 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: Volume II (2004) for his friend, Quentin Tarantino.

Set up a symphony orchestra in his garage to record the score for Spy kids 2: Espions en herbe (2002).

He has directed two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: El Mariachi (1992) and Spy Kids (2001).

Ranked #80 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #94 in 2002.

Went to St. Anthony's High School.

Studied at St. Anthony's University, The University of Texas at Austin.

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

Associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).

Ranked #48 on Premiere's 2005 Power 50 List. Had ranked #61 in 2004.