BIOGRAPHY
Michelle Rodriguez first came to the industry's attention with her award-winning performance in the critically acclaimed feature "Girlfight," for which she won the 2001 Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance and the 2001 National Board of Review Award for Breakout Performance of the Year.

Rodriguez recently completed a starring role in "The Breed," produced by Wes Craven, and her voice will soon be heard in the animated film "Sian Ka'an," alongside Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina. Additional film credits include "S.W.A.T.," "Resident Evil," "Blue Crush" and "The Fast and the Furious."

She appeared in the off-Broadway production of "The Vagina Monologues" and also completed voiceover work on a slew of popular video games, including "True Crime: Streets of LA," "Driv3r" and "Halo 2."

Discovered at an open casting call in New York City, Rodriguez was one of 350 hopefuls who were considered for the lead role of Diana Guzman in "Girlfight." She trained as a boxer for five months in preparation for her role. In addition to the accolades she received for her lead role, the film also garnered the Grand Jury Prize at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.

Now living in Los Angeles, Rodriguez divided her childhood between the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Texas and New Jersey.

Her birthday is July 12.

SELECT FILMOGRAPHY

• S.W.A.T. (2003) as Chris Sanchez
• Blue Crush (2002) as Eden
• Resident Evil (2002) as Rain Ocampo
• The Fast and the Furious (2001) as Letty
• Girlfight (2000) as Diana Guzman

SOURCES

• ABC Medianet
• Internet Movie Database