As a Latina from San Antonio I am offended that James Roday would use his Hispanic name. James Roday would get a larger audience if it was known in Hispanic magazines that his last name was Rodriguez. As an elementary school teacher, we are always looking for role models. It is hard to answer student's questions about why James Roday does'nt use his real last name Just look at Eva Longoria Parker or Ricardo Antonio Chavira .

James has stated numerous times that he is proud of his heritage. I'm sorry you're offended by the name change, but James addressed the issue at length in an interview last year with Kiko Martinez of the Latin Forum. I have reprinted it below. Please feel free to share this information with your students.
*****

Psych out

By Kiko Martinez

Don’t let his name fool you. There’s more to up-and-coming actor James Roday than meets the eye.

It was an exciting albeit chaotic final year for James Rodriguez as he anticipated graduating from New York University with a degree in fine arts and starting his career as an actor. When he was offered his first paying gig even before the school year ended, Rodriguez had a lot of difficult choices to make. With another James Rodriguez already registered as a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild (Rule No. 15 of the organization’s regulations states that no member may use a professional name that is the same as, or closely resembles, the name of any other member), his first decision was whether he should add a middle initial or suffix to his moniker to make it unique.
Instead, he opted to take the recommendation of a television executive, who advised him the best thing to do would be to Americanize his name and change it completely.

Overnight, James Rodriguez became James Roday, currently the star of the USA Network TV series Psych, which began its third season on July 18. It’s a choice, he says, that he probably would not make again if given the chance.

“For a 22-year-old kid who is thinking he was going to be bartending and scraping pennies together to buy a burrito and maybe do some theater, having a television executive say you should change your name made enough sense to me,” says Roday, 32. “There was a lot of stuff going on all at once, and I had about 48 hours to make a decision.”

Although he might rethink it today, Roday can’t deny the choice he made has led to a successful nine-year career in the television and film industry and continues to pay dividends. It becomes a game of “what if” when he thinks about where he would be now if he had chosen to keep his surname.

Picture this flashing on the TV screen during a commercial break: Psych starring James Rodriguez. Could that have actually worked in an industry where Latino leading men are few and far between?

“It’s a slippery slope,” says Roday. “I would love to say that it could have worked out the same way, but I think there is more evidence that suggest that it wouldn’t have than there is that it would have.”

It’s not common knowledge that Roday is half Mexican. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Psych’s leading man attended Taft High School where he dropped all his extra extracurricular activities to devote his full attention to the theater department. In discovering his natural talent on stage, Roday knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

“He was a remarkable actor,” said his high school drama teacher James Buchanan. “He’s always had terrific charisma and an energy that was very unique. Whenever we would take him to any contest he was always noticed as being one of the best.”
When high school ended, Roday sat down with Buchanan to talk seriously about what he should do with his life. Without hesitation, Buchanan looked at his young student and said, “New York.”

“There are not many students that I would tell they should give up everything to pursue a career in acting,” Buchanan says. “But he was one of them. I told him that if he really wanted to give everything up, it would be a great career for him because he has a special gift.”
That fall, Roday began attending classes at New York University. It was a mind-blowing experience, he says, that introduced him to endless opportunities.

“In New York City as an 18-year-old, you really feel like anything can happen,” Roday says. “On the flip side of that coin, you are in a program with at least 200 kids that want to do the same exact thing that you do. It really sank in for me. For the first time I saw just how little the odds were that a kid from Texas was going to be able to make things happen for himself.”

Although they started slowly, things did begin happening for Roday. After three short-lived TV series and a few small film roles, Roday was offered the lead in the USA Network TV show Psych. In it, Roday plays Shawn Spencer, a private investigator who pretends to have psychic abilities so he can help the police solve crimes.

“I was actually ready to take a break from TV when they offered me Psych,” Roday says. “I had tried three different shows for three different reasons and watched them all fail. I wasn’t really feeling like I was doing anything that mattered or was justifying why I was doing this.”

Roday’s validation came after the show’s first season when Psych was named the highest-rated U.S. basic cable TV premiere of 2006. With that, a second season followed, and now a third.

“My work has only just begun because now we have to do everything better than the first two seasons,” Roday says. “There is no better motivational tool than knowing people are watching you. We were given the opportunity to grow organically into a show that people could appreciate. Now, there is an obligation to really deliver to our fans who are hanging out with us every week.”

In His Own Words

On attending the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) conference this past March:
“It was an eye-opener. The level of awareness and interest wasn’t very high. It was sort of a smack in the face. It definitely led me to being a lot more aware of where [Latinos] are in the industry. In a way it was something I never paid a whole lot of attention to before, but now I am.”

On landing the first Latino role of his career as a groom named
Carlos on one episode of NBC’s new 2008 shows Fear Itself:
“It’s part of why I did it to be honest. The director is a friend of mine and he was like, ‘Do you want to do this? What would make it interesting to you? What would make it appetizing?’
I asked if we could make him Latino. He said absolutely.”

On whether or not he would like to pursue more Latino roles in the future:
“If it makes sense and it’s good for the project, I would love to jump in and play more Latino characters. I don’t look like I’m Latino, though. When directors and producers are writing Latino roles and thinking about who they want to be in their movies, I’m not the prototype that comes to mind.”

Though this was in the article bethgreen posted, I though I'd reiterate it...

He couldn't use the name "James Rodriguez" for acting because the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) stipulates that no one can have the same name as another member... and there was already a James Rodriguez registered with SAG. So he was forced to change his name for acting, which is how you could explain it to your kids.

Just because he registered into SAG under another name doesn't make him any less Hispanic or any less of a role model, IMHO.

It also points out in the article that, if he were to do it again today, he wouldn't have changed his name the way he did on the recommendation of an executive... but he was young and was trying to do what he was told was best to make it. Another good lesson to teach your kids about how decisions can be lasting.

I think the answer is he is an actor. He might want roles that do not play to his Hispanic heritage and does not wish to be disqualified based solely on the name Rodriguez. I believe that's known as typecasting. Which of course would happen because that is how the world works.

Perhaps to make amends for his pragmatism, Mr. Rodriguez should drive around San Antonio in his truck with a Mexican flag draped in the back window yelling "Viva, Zapata!"

I'm of Irish heritage but I'm not required to get drunk and start fights every night. That is a choice I make. Shouldn't James be able to choose as well?

I hope to God this is just a troll and not serious. If you really are an elementary teacher in San Antonio and can't edit a post any better than you did; I fear for the future.

*And if anyone says I can't edit a post either; I would point out that I am not a teacher and I may or may not be sober.

First of all, why couldn't he change his name to another last name which is Latin? Believe me, there are hundreds to choose from. I think that he is a gifted actor; but this really bugs me. Why hasn't he changed his name back to something to show his pride in his heritage? Until you teach elementary school children, please believe me there are very few students who are so young that understand that certain actions have a lasting effect. All they see is an actor they "really like" that has disappointed them with the name change; especially since he is from our city. As far as the remarks he made in saying about how sorry he felt about the name change, sounds like more recommendations from some executive. I guess we really won't ever know. It angers me when someone who grew up here has to know how important it is to to help students stay in school. I am not saying all of the problems of our city lay on his shoulder, it just shows class when someone does something to help out. I am not even saying the help has to deal with students. Just show something that acknowledges who he is and where he came from.

Get real. I am very proud to be an elementary school teacher. It teaches you about kids. My students just happen to be of Latin decent. When they ask me why a hispanic actor changes his name; they get upset. The students love the show and were so disappointed when I told them Roday had to change his name. Kids are not dumb. They asked why he didn't choose a different Hispanic name. I mean, I am not in Roday's head. But kids want answers and in SA this is a very touchy subject. All I could say was that I didn't know his reasons. They see Eva Longoria Parker and Ricardo Antonio Chavira and can't understand why Roday did not choose a Hispanic name to become his "stage name."

I am relieved that you are not a teacher. That whole truck and the flag thing was insensitive. I don't care how Irish you are!

As for typecasting, Roday is good enough to attain a job based on his own merits.

[q
uote name='MarthanotGeorge' date='Feb 2 2009, 07:21 PM' post='1063969']
I think the answer is he is an actor. He might want roles that do not play to his Hispanic heritage and does not wish to be disqualified based solely on the name Rodriguez. I believe that's known as typecasting. Which of course would happen because that is how the world works.

Perhaps to make amends for his pragmatism, Mr. Rodriguez should drive around San Antonio in his truck with a Mexican flag draped in the back window yelling "Viva, Zapata!"

I'm of Irish heritage but I'm not required to get drunk and start fights every night. That is a choice I make. Shouldn't James be able to choose as well?

I hope to God this is just a troll and not serious. If you really are an elementary teacher in San Antonio and can't edit a post any better than you did; I fear for the future.

*And if anyone says I can't edit a post either; I would point out that I am not a teacher and I may or may not be sober.
[/quote]

So, you are upset that James changed his name? Martin Sheen changed his name as well as his son, Charlie. Only Emilio kept their given last name. They also proud of their background as well!

I can't understand why this offends you personally. It is a free country and just because you can't come to terms as to why an actor would change their name to another, it's not up to you to decide if it's right, wrong or otherwise. James is a great actor and a person who, to the best of my knowledge, has led an honorable and decent life so far. He's not hiding the fact that his family name is hispanic, that would be worse. You should be offended by people who exhibit discrimination or hate, not by a last name. JMO. I would say to explain to your students that actors have many reasons for changing their names, not all need to do it, others have personal reasons. If it helps them get work, which is their job, their income, sometimes they need to. If another actor has the same name they may change it too. James doesn't look hispanic, Roday works better in his line of work. Or just tell them that people have personal reasons for doing things and it doesn't change WHO they are.

This board was probably not the best place for you to offer a criticism of James Roday, so please understand the posters who may have caused offense. This is where his fan base is, and we will defend him, sometimes to the detriment of anyone who dares to disagree with our belief that James Roday is the greatest thing since Emilio Estevez Es-TEH-vez (the name that Shawn used to pretend to be someone he wasn't in the last episode

The simplest explanation for why any actor changes their name is this:

Acting is playing "Let's Pretend." For any actor to be the very BEST at what he does, he (or she) has to pretend to be someone else. Sometimes, that pretending includes pretending to have a different name, too.

Great post bethgreen!!! The Emilio reference made me laugh out loud , thanks. I thought the same thing too, not the best place to critique our fav!!!!

Well said PAK, I agree. James is a respectable actor and person. My level of admiration and respect has not gone down because he made a decision like this. Regardless of him changing his name, he is still proud of his heritage and it didn't change who he is.

And what a great example they are. I try to stick with those who do not have police records for my students to discuss.

I never said that Roday is a bad actor. In fact, I cannot think of anyone actor who makes me laugh so much. As far as all this free country stuff; I have those exact same rights to speak of my disappointment in his name. He could have easily changed his last name to a different Hispanic last name. You are saying he doesn't look Hispanic, so he should still have no problem getting a job. As for that comment that you made about looking Hispanic. Hispanics come in all shades and shapes. For example, my husband, who is German is darker than I am. I have many friends who need to wear plenty of sunblock because our skin is that fair. Besides, you can always add a middle name once you have a career going. Sorry that my feelings seem to upset you. Your right, Roday has the free will to change his name, it is unfortunate that is what he was told to do. My students, who are Hispanic, are the ones who are truly disappointed. By the way, Roday himself has said that he does not look Hispanic.

Just because I had this name issue doesn't mean that I think he is a bad actor. It is because he is so good that I would like to see him claim a bit of his heritage in his name;especially since he comes from our city. The students would eat it up! Hey, you have to realize that San Antonio is a poor city. When it comes to role models for the students they would love to see someone who "made it" without having to change their name.

I am also glad not to be a teacher. If a child in my classroom asked me why an actor might change his name from one that sounded more ethnic to a one less easy to stereotype, I'd say, "The TAKS test is coming up in a few weeks. We don't have time to deal with this stuff. Did you know that your scores are broken out based on your ethnicity much like a casting director may make an assumption of an actor's 'type' based on his name? Now we have editing to do."

Then after I taught to the test for awhile, we might re-open the issue. I would tell the children that while talented and easy on the eyes, most actors are not necessarily role models. Then I would suggest that we invite one of the 7 of the 10 San Antonio city council members who have Hispanic last names to speak to the class about how our city has embraced its Hispanic culture and markets that to the world to encourage tourism. And to great effect, since we are one of the most traveled-to cities in the U.S. for our size.

Then I would show pictures of Longoria-Parker, Chavira and Roday and would ask the children which one looks like their name is Smith. And they would say, "The white dude with the long nose". And the class smart-ass would point to me and say, "You look more like a latino man than he does." And I'd say "Yes, except for my little green bowler hat an o' course me bowl of Lucky Charms, I do". And then I would tell the children that the hormone therapy isn't working and that I'll wax my lip tonight. The children would be happy after I explained that in Hollywood your name conjures an image that sometimes relegates you to play stereotypes and aren't they glad that they can become doctors and teachers and lawyers and not have to deal with that. And while unfair, it is done because making television shows and movies is a business with a huge number of people being judged not on their merits, but often by a cursory perusal of a list of names. And wouldn't we feel bad for James if he kept coming in for roles but being told that he didn't look Latin enough.


And if my comment about the truck and the flag was insensitive it so outrageously insensitive that is could only be taken seriously by someone looking to be outraged. I was trying to show that he shouldn't have to apologize for an astute business decision. It has been said before that in order to succeed one must play to how the world views you if you are on any kind of stage. If our new president had emphasized his upbringing by white grandparents in top-tier schools instead of his multi-cultural background he would not be the president.

What sort of reaction did the children have to Longoria-Parker taking her non-Hispanic foreign husband's name? I'll bet that put your underwear in a twist.

ETA:
Well I'm off to get drunk! My morning buzz has worn off! See, I don't just get soused and begin fighting in the evening.

Now mind you this is ALL ASSUMPTION!

James David Rodríguez (according to wiki)

it looks and sounds like he did not "abandon" his name but took the first syllables of his last and middle name to come up with Roday. which imo - better to come to that compromise than just pulling some other name out of other places ( )

feel free to correct me if you actually know where he came up with Roday

and as it has been said - in SAG only 1 person can have a name and once you register with that name you're pretty much stuck with it. Right now my younger brother is in LA and is having the hardest time deciding if he wants to use his full name or shorten it because he knows once he chooses that's pretty much it.

*my .02$

Well, basicly everyone said all there is to say. but i'll sum it up..
James David Rodríguez is insanely awsome wether he uses James Roday or James Rodriguez. I Understand that it offends some people, but he is proud for his name but he had to use james Roday. I think I can speak for everyone on the board here, A mans name doen't take away from who he is, and who he is, well, is The best actor ever!! who many people respect. <3 james!!
and btw sporksunite--james((james)) david((day)) Rodriguez((Ro))
James Roday!!

If you had read the wonderful article posted by bethgreen, you would have seen that this was answered... the exec recommended a more "Americanized" name, and at 22 years old, he took that recommendation.



Once you register with SAG, I don't believe this is something that can just become 'undone' later down the road.



1) I have worked in elementary schools and with elementary school children for quite a few years (some of that work has included working with ELL and special education children), so please don't assume what I have and have not done.
2) I do not know what grade you teach, but many elementary school children I know (especially 3rd-6th grade) have begun to grasp this concept. If they are old enough to be watching Psych, I would hope that they are old enough to learn this concept.
3) I said it was an important lesson *to* teach children and for them to learn, one that they may not already know, but need to. I was presenting this as an example of that lesson.

ok guys I think this has gone a little to far. Let's not fight! We are all here for one reason - we love Psych to an unhealthy level !!! Yes, we know that James changed his last name but he regrets it and the fact that he changed his name doesn't make him less of a role model.We know that he is proud of his heritage. I think he would be a great role model for those who want to pursue a career in acting.
Although, because I am not Latino, I can't fully understand how him changing his name can be offensive.Those of us who are not latino don't have the right to say, "that's stupid" because we don't understand. There are two parts to this arguement and both have truthes to them. But just yelling at eachother won't solve anything so we shouldn't be fighting. This is a positive forum. So let's get back to talking about the best duo ever formally known as Shawn and Gus!!

Ahmen!!!
Very unhealthy level!!!!

i'm confused....that's you agreeing with me right ?

MarissaGaytanLoserth seemed to be holding her own O.K. Truce, though, if people are becoming uncomfortable. Welcome to the boards. Hope you stick around for some of the love. Good luck with the TAKS if you teach one of those grades effected.

Thank you for giving the benefit of the doubt. You are the first to not lash out at me for simply stating my feelings. I agree that this should return to being a positive and funny message board to go to.

Has anyone won a pineapple trip yet? Hawaii sounds like a great place to visit.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think it is a good thing that people can state their feelings; even if they are unpopular ones. Nothing wrong with a little bantering. I plan to stick around for "some of the love."

your welcome

Welcome to the board!!!