Gina Alexis Rodriguez is an American actor, director, and producer.
Rodriquez was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1984, the youngest daughter of Puerto Rican parents. Her father, Gino Rodriguez, was a boxing referee. Her first appearance on screen came at age 20 in a 2004 episode of Law & Order (1990–). Over the course of her 20s, she played several dozen small roles in series including Eleventh Hour (2008–2009), 10 Things I Hate About You (2009–2010), Army Wives (2007–2013), Happy Endings (2011–2020), and The Mentalist (2008–2015).
Her big break, and the character for which she is best known, came in 2014 when she landed the starring role of Jane Villanueva in The CW show Jane The Virgin (2014–2019). Rodriguez’s performance earned her a Golden Globe in 2015, and two more nominations in 2016 and 2017. She has also appeared in the films Deepwater Horizon (2016), Ferdinand (2017), Annihilation (2018), and Awake (2021), as well as voicing the titular character of the Netflix series Carmen Sandiego (2019–2021) — more than 60 films and shows in total. In addition, Rodriguez has gained experience as both a director and producer. She owns her own production company, I Can & I Will Productions, that specializes in creating art that centers “the unheard and unseen” and discovers new talent.[1]
She has been very active as an advocate in the nonprofit space, particularly in the area of education and anti-bullying.
Gina Rodriguez has openly expressed that she is not entirely straight, but has staunchly resisted putting any sort of label on her sexuality. Asked on Twitter whether she identifies as heterosexual, she responded:
I don’t need anyone to define their sexuality to me nor do I feel the need to either. I love hearts. Period. https://t.co/DGR7PQT7oS
— Gina Rodriguez (@HereIsGina) June 21, 2016
In an interview with Bust magazine, she also discussed the potential bisexuality of her character, Jane Villaneuva:
…so many fans ask me if Jane is bisexual. Jane is the furthest from bisexual—maybe Gina’s a little closer than Jane is!—but I love that they want that. And I’m all about “Jetra”. I love “Jetra”.[2]
Rodrigues is married to the mixed martial arts fighter Joe LoCicero. The couple first met on the set of Jane the Virgin, and have a son together.