James David Rodriguez, better known by his former screen name James Roday and (since July 2020) current screen name James Roday Rodriguez, plays Shawn Spencer on the USA Network original series Psych.
Bio[]
James Roday Rodriguez was born in San Antonio, Texas. James's father, Jaime "Jim" Rodriguez remarried after his birth and had a daughter, Lisette, who is James's half-sister. James attended Taft High School in San Antonio. He studied theater at New York University's Experimental Theatre Wing, where he earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts. He is also co-artistic director of RED DOG SQUADRON, a Los Angeles theater company he co-founded with Brad Raider. In a commercial on USA, he states that he is half-Mexican.
Other than Psych, James has been featured in such films as The Dukes of Hazzard, Beerfest, and Gamer.
Rodriguez is not just an actor but also a writer and director, and co-wrote numerous Psych episodes such as "Scary Sherry: Bianca's Toast" and "Black and Tan: A Crime of Fashion." He also directed the episodes "Tuesday the 17th" and "Mr. Yin Presents...." He wrote and directed "Lassie Jerky." He also co-wrote with Bill Callahan and directed "Deez Nups".
Rodriguez dated Psych co-star Maggie Lawson (Juliet O'Hara) from 2006 until the end of 2014.
According to USA Network's "Psych All-Night" event, his favorite episode is "Dual Spires."
Filmography[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Coming Soon | Chad | |
Ryan Caulfield: Year One | Vic | ||
2000 | Believe | Bruce Arm/Argent Johnny | |
Get Real | Trent Sykes | ||
2001 | Thank Heaven | Receptionist | |
First Years | Edgar "Egg" Ross | ||
2002 | Repli-Kate | Max | |
Providence | Alexander Conrad | ||
Showtime | 'Maxis' Cameraman | ||
2003 | Rolling Kansas | Dick Murphy | |
Miss Match | Nick Paine | Series Regular | |
2005 | Don't Come Knocking | Mickey, First Assistant Director | |
The Dukes of Hazzard | Billy Prickett | ||
2006 | Beerfest | German Messenger | |
Skinwalkers | Writer | ||
2006-2014 | Psych | Shawn Spencer | Main Character; Producer |
2008 | Fear Itself | Carlos | 1 Episode |
2009 | Gamer | News Co-Host #1 | |
2011 | WWE Tough Enough | Himself | 1 Episode |
Love Bites | Jeff | 1 Episode | |
2012 | WWE Raw Supershow | Himself | Special Guest Ring Announcer |
2015 | Gravy | Marty | Also director and co-writer |
Good Session | Joel | Unaired CBS Pilot | |
Christmas Eve | B | Also known as Stuck | |
Baby Baby Baby | J.B. | Independent Film written and directed by Brian Klugman | |
Nerd Herd (TV Movie) | Kip | aka The Brainy Bunch, Unaired ABC Pilot |
Trivia[]
- James Roday loves working with Corbin Bernsen, who portrays Shawn's father Henry.