Guillermo Rodriguez (comedian)

Guillermo Rodriguez[2] (born January 27, 1971)[3] is a Mexican-American[4] talk show personality and comedian best known as the sidekick to Jimmy Kimmel on the American late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He rose to fame while working as a parking lot security guard at the Hollywood Boulevard studios.[5] He continues in character and title as the show's security guard.

Guillermo Rodriguez
Rodriguez in January 2013
Born
Guillermo Rodriguez

(1971-01-27) January 27, 1971 (age 53)
NationalityMexican-American
Occupation(s)TV personality, comedian
Years active2003–present
Known forJimmy Kimmel Live!
ChildrenBenji Rodriguez

Career

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Rodriguez began working as a parking-lot security guard for Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio in 2003.[6] At that time he also had a second full-time job as a hotel room server as well as working weekends at a third.[7] After he was caught sleeping in announcer Dicky Barrett’s car, Kimmel offered to have him appear on the show.[8] Due to his shyness at the time Rodriguez initially turned down the offer to appear on the show in 2003 but was talked into it by one of the producers.[7][9] His early appearances were with "Uncle Frank" Potenza in a series of bits called "Security Night Live".[10][11] (Potenza had originally handled security for the show before his role was expanded to appear on screen.)[11] Rodriguez soon moved to acting in skits on the show with his first role being Michael Jackson's Spanish cook. His broken English coupled with his affability earned him a high-profile supporting role as a personality on the show, in which he usually plays the Everyman.[10] Guillermo took over main red-carpet interviewing duties in 2011 after Potenza died. [5]

Personal life

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Rodriguez was born in Zacatecas, Mexico.[1] He is married and has a son named Benji.[12] He became a U.S. citizen in 2005.[13]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes Refs.
2003–present Jimmy Kimmel Live! Guillermo the security guard [2]
2009 Rock Slyde Gary [citation needed]
2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Cop #2 Uncredited cameo appearance [14]
2019 The Little Mermaid Live! Blowfish [15]
2020 Bill & Ted Face the Music Himself Cameo appearance during the credits [16]
2023 Ezra Himself Uncredited cameo appearance [17]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tévez, Óscar (March 7, 2018). "De vigilante de un 'parking' por 6,5 euros la hora a estrella de televisión: la historia del hombre de dorado de los Oscar". El País – via elpais.com.
  2. ^ a b "Guillermo Rodriguez | Jimmy Kimmel Live!". ABC. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  3. ^ Jimmy Kimmel Live! (January 27, 2017). Kimmel Staffers Share Guillermo Stories For His Birthday (Web video) – via YouTube. At midnight tonight, Guillermo turns ...46 years old.
  4. ^ "'Jimmy Kimmel' Star Guillermo Responds to Donald Trump's Anti-Mexico Comments With Hilarious Bilingual Bit". The Hollywood Reporter. June 25, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Passings: Frank Potenza, John Howard Davies, Jack Layton". Los Angeles Times. August 24, 2011. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  6. ^ Dory Jackson (August 18, 2020). "Ellen DeGeneres and tWitch, Chelsea Handler and Chuy Bravo Plus More Famous TV Hosts and Their Sidekicks". US Magazine.
  7. ^ a b Jon Finkel (September 4, 2018). "Guillermo the Great: Jimmy Kimmel's Sidekick Discusses His Improbable Rise From Parking Lot Security Guard To Late Night TV Star".
  8. ^ "Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s Guillermo Rodriguez Recalls How He Landed on the Show 18 Years Ago". Peoplemag.
  9. ^ Pampering Jimmy Kimmel's Favorite Security Guard, Guillermo Rodriguez. Young Hollywood. June 21, 2012 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ a b Bruce Miller (March 30, 2013). "Guillermo gives 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' the common touch". Sioux City Journal.
  11. ^ a b Lynn Elberthe (August 23, 2011). "Uncle Frank of 'Kimmel Show' fame dies at 77". Associated Press.
  12. ^ MN, Allyssa (October 7, 2023). "Jimmy Kimmel's Sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez Is Married And Lives A Secret Life With His Wife". TheThings. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  13. ^ "Guillermo gives 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' the common touch". Sioux City Journal. March 30, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s Guillermo Rodriguez Films a Cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but It Doesn't Go as Planned". E! Online. April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  15. ^ Guillermo's Journey Under the Sea in The Little Mermaid Live!. Jimmy Kimmel Live. November 7, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Hough, Quinn (September 14, 2020). "Every Cameo In Bill & Ted Face The Music". ScreenRant. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  17. ^ Carter, Bill (May 31, 2024). "Late-Night TV Plays a Supporting Role in Charming Indie Film Ezra". LateNighter. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
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