Quick Facts on Robert Rodriguez

• Born in 1968 in San Antonio, the third of 10 children born to Cecilio and Rebecca Rodriguez.
 
• As a child recruits family members to serve as cast and crew in home movies.
 
• In 1991 writes the script for his first feature film, “El Mariachi,” while attending UT Austin; while writing is also sequestered at a drug-research facility as a paid subject in a clinical trial. Uses the money in 1993 to help produce the $7,000 film, which wins the Audience Award for best dramatic film at the Sundance Film Festival.
 
• In 1995 goes on to write, produce, direct, and edit “Desperado,” a sequel to “El Mariachi,” for Columbia Pictures; the film introduces American audiences to Antonio Banderas as a leading man.
 
• In 1995 publishes a book about his career experiences in “Rebel Without a Crew.”
 
• In 1996 teams up with Quentin Tarantino on the film “From Dusk Till Dawn.”
 
• In 1998 directs “The Faculty,” starring Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, and Jordana Brewster.
 
• In 2000, with Elizabeth Avellán, founds Troublemaker Studios, an Austin-based production company; the studio plays a primary role in making Austin a filmmaking hub.
 
• In 2001 creates the “Spy Kids” family adventure series.
 
• In 2003 the third installment to the “El Mariachi” trilogy, titled “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” includes a fight scene filmed in the ornate stairwell in UT Austin’s Battle Hall.
 
• Returns to UT Austin to complete his bachelor’s in radio-television-film in summer 2008.
 
• Chosen as speaker at the University’s 126th Spring Commencement in May 2009.
 
• Works on post-production for the summer 2009 family comedy adventure, “Shorts,” which he wrote, directed, produced, shot, edited, and composed music for; the film stars Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, James Spader, and Leslie Mann.
 

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