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Jason Rodriguez: The Road to Hollywood...Via Prison
Jason Rodriguez: The Road to Hollywood...Via Prison
Posted in Hispanics in Focus
by Admin on February 26, 2013
Jason Rodriguez was born on August 15, 1972 in Spanish Harlem to Jose and Maria Rodriguez. He was raised in the Bronx and, as an only child, Jose and Maria made tremendous sacrifices to be able to send him to Catholic school in order to avoid the perils children encounter in the urban jungle. Even though his mother suffered two failed Kidney transplants, on dialysis and diabetic, she wanted the best for her only son.
In 1988, at the age of 16, tragedy struck Jason as he was arrested for
manslaughter. He was prosecuted as an adult and tried as an adult and sentenced
to 8– 25 years in prison. While incarcerated Jason reflected on his failed life
and swore that if he ever got a second chance he would make the most of it. While in jail, Jason took advantage of
educational vocational programs from the New York State Department of
Corrections. Along the way, tragedy struck again twice more in his life when he
lost both of his parents, his mother to a stroke in 1996 and his father to a
heart attack in 2002.
Even though he was a model inmate, he was denied parole five times and ended up
serving seventeen years.
Released on July 1, 2005 at the age of 32 he was paroled to his aunt Patricia Rodriguez
who believed in him after no one in his family would risk taking him in.
Initially, Jason was concerned about his future since he had no prospects and
wondered how to get a job so he could make a living. But he was a free man, and
remembered the promise he made to himself while in jail: to do everything in his
power to make something of himself. “When God created the world, he eliminated
the word impossible,” he used say to himself. “Nothing is
impossible.”
His passion and his zest for a new life led to a fortunate set of circumstances and
he got the break he was looking for. Without formal acting experience, Director
Gavin O’Conner cast him for a principal role in “Pride and Glory,” along with
Colin Farrel. Edward Norton, John Voight and John Ortiz. The moment he met
Jason, O’Conner was impressed with his confident demeanor and the ambition in
his eyes to reach his potential.
Jason has natural acting talent and he has found his calling in the movies, which he
continues to pursue with unrelenting passion. Since his lucky break, he has
engaged in other acting roles, as well as directing and producing. With no
formal education, he continues to tap into his inner aspirations by designing
his own website.
He is also sharing a documentary about his life on Ebru TV called “Soul
Survivors.”
"Jason is a combination of natural talent mixed with persevering energy,” says Apples
and Oranges Public Relations CEO, Amore Leighton Black.
Jason is also the Vice President of Operations of Kickstands Up magazine – www.ksumag.com –a publication geared for
motorcycle enthusiasts. On top of that Jason is also in current talks with
Edgewater Pictures regarding doing voice over in the animated feature entitled,
“Hook and Jab”, based on the illustrated
book with by same name, which is based on the historic achievement of
John Ruiz’ accomplishment as the first Latino heavyweight champion in boxing
history.
And as if that was not enough, Jason is venturing into work as a motivational
speaker, and he intends to visit schools and community organizations in order
reach kids so he can share his insight on overcoming personal difficulties and
achieving your dreams and aspirations. A book about his memoirs entitled “From
Jail to Hollywood” is also in the works, which will describe his amazing turn
around to a new life after serving seventeen in prison.
When he got out of jail many people assumed he wouldn’t get far, but Jason continues
to defy the odds. He feels that he
has enormous people skills and he attributes his triumph over adversity to that
ability of his personality –proving that street smarts can be an asset when use
correctly.
Jason has not forgotten his roots and speaks openly, and honestly about his rough ride
to success.
Learn more about Jason at his websites: www.Jay-Po.com as well http://instagram.com/jaypo183
-Jose-Gabriel
Almeida
