Michelle Rodriguez, born Mayte Michelle Rodriguez, is an American film and television actress best known for portraying strong, rebellious female characters. She gained wide recognition for her role as Anna Lucia Cortez in the Emmy Award–winning television series Lost. Rodriguez is also known for her performances in major action franchises such as The Fast and the Furious, S.W.A.T., and Resident Evil.

Mayte Michelle Rodriguez was born on July 12, 1978, in Bexar County, Texas, to Rafael Rodriguez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, and Carmen Milady Pared, who is from the Dominican Republic. When she was eight years old, her parents divorced, after which she moved with her mother to the Dominican Republic. There, she was raised by her deeply religious grandmother as a Jehovah’s Witness. After three years, the family relocated first to Puerto Rico and later to New Jersey.

Rodriguez struggled with formal education, being expelled from six different schools before dropping out of high school at the age of seventeen. She later earned her high school equivalency by successfully passing the GED exam.

Aspiring to become an actress, Rodriguez auditioned for the low-budget independent film Girlfight. She was selected from among 350 applicants and portrayed the troubled young boxer Diana Guzman. Released in 2000, the film immediately drew critical attention and marked a powerful debut for Rodriguez.

Following her appearance in 3 A.M. (2001), she achieved mainstream success the same year by starring alongside Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in The Fast and the Furious, playing the role of Letty Ortiz. In 2002, she appeared opposite Milla Jovovich in the film adaptation of the popular video game franchise Resident Evil, portraying Rain Ocampo.

Rodriguez was ranked 77th on Stuff Magazine’s “102 Sexiest Women in the World” list and 34th on Maxim Magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women” ranking. In 2004, she contributed voice performances to the video games Driv3r as Calita and Halo 2 as a Marine. She also voiced Liz Ricarro in the animated series IGPX, which aired on Cartoon Network.

In 2003, Rodriguez starred alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell in S.W.A.T., playing Chris Sanchez. She later appeared in the horror film The Breed (2006) as Nicki.

Between 2005 and 2006, Rodriguez portrayed the tough police officer Anna Lucia Cortez in the second season of the ABC television series Lost. Amid rumors that her character was written off due to on-set behavioral issues, Rodriguez stated that Anna Lucia’s death had been planned from the beginning.

Rodriguez’s career has been accompanied by numerous legal troubles. In March 2002, she was arrested for allegedly assaulting a female roommate, though the charges were later dropped. In November 2003, she faced court proceedings related to two traffic incidents, including a hit-and-run involving a motorcyclist and a charge of speeding while intoxicated. In June 2004, she was sentenced to 48 hours in jail for driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and driving without a license. She was also ordered to complete a three-month alcohol rehabilitation program and perform community service in New York hospital morgues, followed by three years of probation.

While filming Lost in Hawaii, Rodriguez was repeatedly detained for traffic violations. On November 1, 2005, she was fined for speeding in Oahu. On December 1, 2005, she and fellow actress Cynthia Watros were arrested within minutes of each other in Honolulu for drunk driving. Rodriguez was fined $500 and chose to serve five days in jail instead of performing community service.

Rodriguez previously had a brief relationship with Vin Diesel, whom she met while filming The Fast and the Furious. She enjoys skating and playing the piano. Although frequently questioned about her sexuality, Rodriguez has stated that she is not a lesbian but strongly supports equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Filmography and Television Work
2018 – Widows (Linda) (Feature Film)
2018 – Alita: Battle Angel (Gelda) (Feature Film)
2017 – The Fate of the Furious (Letty Ortiz Toretto) (Feature Film)
2016 – The Assignment (Frank Kitchen / Tomboy) (Feature Film)
2015 – Furious 7 (Letty Ortiz) (Feature Film)
2013 – Machete Kills (Luz) (Feature Film)
2013 – Turbo (Feature Film)
2013 – InAPPropriate Comedy (Harriet) (Feature Film)
2013 – Fast & Furious 6 (Letty Ortiz) (Feature Film)
2012 – Resident Evil: Retribution (Rain Ocampo) (Feature Film)
2011 – Battle: Los Angeles (TSgt. Elena Santos) (Feature Film)
2010 – Machete (Luz) (Feature Film)
2009 – Fast & Furious (Letty Ortiz) (Feature Film)
2009 – Avatar (Trudy Chacón) (Feature Film)
2007 – Battle in Seattle (Lou) (Feature Film)
2006 – The Breed (Nicki) (Feature Film)
2005 – BloodRayne (Katarin) (Feature Film)
2005 – Lost – Season 2 (Anna Lucia Cortez) (TV Series)
2004 – Le Grand Journal de Canal+ (Herself) (TV Program – 2 Episodes)
2004 – Control (Teresa) (Feature Film)
2003 – S.W.A.T. (Chris Sanchez) (Feature Film)
2002 – Resident Evil (Rain Ocampo) (Feature Film)
2002 – Blue Crush (Eden) (Feature Film)
2001 – The Movie Loft (Herself) (TV Program – 2 Episodes)
2001 – The Fast and the Furious (Letty Ortiz) (Feature Film)
2000 – Girlfight (Diana Guzman) (Feature Film)
1992 – The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (Feature Film)

Source: Biyografiler.com