How acting classes turned “Modern Family’s” Rico Rodriguez into a star
Don’t you wish that you could go through life without a hint of self-consciousness? If so, you should follow the lead of young Manny Delgado. This kid is an enigma. He has inherited his mother’s passion for life and often wears his heart on his sleeve. Manny’s zeal appeal is often lost on stepdad Jay but is always fully supported by mom Gloria.
Rico Rodriguez was born in College Station, Texas, and from birth through his young boyhood was extremely shy. Little did he know how drastically his life would change. In 2005, at the age of six, Rico made the move from Texas to Los Angeles, California with his mom and sister Raini to support his sister’s dream of becoming an actress.
After one year of watching his sister having fun and success, Rico enrolled in acting classes and soon started making a name for himself.He booked his first role in the video “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Next came the roles of Chanchito in the film “Epic Movie,” a super fun role as the kid janitor in “Opposite Day,” another great part in the “The No-Sit List,” and a starring role in the compelling short film “Phillipe’s Sandwich.” Rico’s television credits began with co-starring/recurring as Young Guillermo on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Cory in the House,” “ER,” “‘Til Death,” “iCarly,” “Nip / Tuck,” “Surviving Suburbia” and “NCIS.” He has also has been seen in commercials for Roundtable Pizza, Time Warner Cable, Dodge, Walmart, BlueCross, Chrysler and AT&T.Additional television appearances include guest spots on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, “Lopez Tonight,” “Ellen” and “The View.”
Rico was asked to serve as a Red Carpet Correspondent for ABC.com’s Red Carpet coverage of the 2010 Academy Awards, as well as E! Entertainment’s Orange Carpet Reporter for the 2010 Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards. Rico also appeared as The Red Carpet Correspondent for the star-studded Nickelodeon Mega-Music Fest special.Since the premiere of the 5-time Emmy Award winning series “Modern Family”, Rico has garnered widespread attention for his work in the role of “precocious, old soul” Manny Delgado.
Rico received the Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition, as well as being nominated as “Male Break-Out Star” for the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. Surprised to learn that he was selected as one of Entertainment Weekly’s 2010 Entertainers Of The Year, Rico was one of five chosen entertainers to receive their own covers and was ranked #4 on GQ Magazine’s 25 Most Stylish Men on Television. In 2011, Rico was honored with being chosen as the first minor to ever speak at the opening of the SAG Awards.
Rico had a blast working with Kermit the Frog and friends in the movie “The Muppets”, recently completed filming the lead role in the film “Endgame”, and is starring in the upcoming animated film “El Americano” with Edward James Olmos, Lisa Kudrow, and Gabriel Iglesias.
Watch Rico’s interview on the Ellen show: