James Roday embraces his Mexican heritage by using the sir name Rodriguez

From Roday to Rodriguez

Over the decades women have admitted to doing all kinds of things to make it big in Hollywood. There have been tales of plastic surgery, breast implants, and changing hair color because someone suggested it would make them a star. Some even were a part of the "casting couch" where they slept with producers and directors to secure roles. Another trend in Tinsel Town is changing one’s name to downplay or hide ethnicity but today one actor has boldly reclaimed the last name he was given at birth. During a recent interview with TV Line, James Roday made an important announcement. If you have seen Psych 2 Lassie Come Home then you will have already noticed the change he has made.

Roday is now going by James Roday Rodriguez which is the name he was given at birth. He says that recent events regarding racial injustice caused him to reflect upon his own personal situation. This is why he is being brutally honest about how the entertainment business has treated him and led to his not embracing his Latino heritage. Rodriguez said that in Hollywood he was told he was too white to get Hispanic roles and was also told his last name would hinder him from being cast in non-ethnic parts. He saw this play out and for 20 years did not embrace his true identity. Now, however, he says that he desires to honor who he truly is. This is admirable and will surely cause other entertainers to stand up and say “ Me too.”

We are in a culture today where people are quick to jump on the bandwagon of a cause. Perhaps other celebrities will be encouraged by James and acknowledge their heritage and embrace their given name. The actor says the death of George Floyd and subsequent events have caused him to look at his stuation. He added that he desires to be the "most honest ally for his community" and says he has always had a "strange relationship" when it comes to his Latino Heritage. He admits that he has always been the lightest person when gathered with his family. I can relate to the experience Rodriguez describes as a light complexioned black woman. Even today, during family gatherings or funerals, it’s likely that I will be the lightest person in the room. I often feel as if somehow I don't belong.

Many actors have changed their names

Had James Roday Rodriguez not admitted his background, most people probably would not have guessed, because he looks and sounds like a typical young white male. It’s unfortunate that the world of entertainment is so conscious of ethnicity that celebrities feel compelled to hide their roots. In the 1960’s Diana Ross was married to a man named Bob Ellis but it later was revealed that he was Jewish and his last name was really Silverstein. The famous actor Kirk Douglas descended from Russian Jews and was born Issur Danielovitch. Like Rodriguez, he changed his name in order to make it in the entertainment business. Don Diamont who portrays

Dollar Bill Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful was born Donald Fienberg. He too changed his name to succeed in Hollywood. Martin Sheen was born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez. His son Charlie goes by Sheen but was born Carlos Estevez. The other son, also an actor proudly embraces the family name and bills himself as Emilio Estavez. Bruno Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez and says he changed his name so he would not be stereotyped. Actor Oscar Isaac changed his sir name ftom Rodriguez so he would not be typecast in Latin roles. Rita Hayworth changed her last name from Carisino and dyed her dark brown has r red. She did this so that she would be considering feted for a broader range of roles.

Soap star John Anniston hails from Greece and his real last name is Anastassakis. He told his daughter that he got more roles after changing his name so she changed hers from Anastassakis and became a star as Jennifer Anniston. These are but a few of the many entertainers who downplayed their ethnicity in order to make it in the land of show business. James Roday Rodriguez has made his decision at a pivotal time in this nation. Many Americans are rethinking racist attitudes and removing symbols that offend. There has been a lot of support for Rodriguez who is best known for portraying Shawn Spencer on USA’s Psych for 8 years. Best wishes to him in all future endeavors.