James David Rodriguez is better known as James Roday as there was already somebody called James Rodriguez registered with the Screen Actors Guild. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on April 4, 1976, and began his career in the entertainment industry in 1999. He is an actor, director, and screenwriter who is probably best-known for the fake psychic Shawn Spencer in the USA Network series ‘Psych’. Here are five more things that you probably didn’t know about James Roday.
1. He Started Out in Theater
At the beginning of his career, James Roday predominantly worked in theatre. Some of the productions in which he performed included ‘Severity’s Mistress’ and ‘Three Sisters, A Respectable Wedding’. He also played the lead roles in ‘Extinction’ and ‘Sexual Perversity in Chicago’. The theater is something about which he is still passionate, and he co-founded a Los Angeles theatre company called ‘Red Squadron’ with Brad Raider. He is the co-artistic director of this company. In 2012, he purchased the El Centro Theater in Los Angeles on behalf of Red Squadron with Matt Shakman, the artistic director of Black Dahlia Theater. The theatre is undergoing major renovations and will reopen as ‘Circle Theater’, which is its original name.
2. He is an Award-Winner
At various points in his career, Roday’s talents have been recognized with award-nominations. On most occasions, he has not succeeded in winning the award. However, for his role in ‘Psych’, he has successfully won two awards in 2012. These were an Imagen Award for Best Actor in a Television Series and a Timmy Award for the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
3. He Was in a Relationship with Maggie Lawson
Between 2006 and 2014, James Roday was in a relationship with Maggie Lawson, his co-star from ‘Psych’. She played the role of Detective Juliet ‘Jules’ O’Hara. Since the couple split, she began a relationship with Ben Koldyke. Lawson and Koldyke were married from 2015 to 2017.
4. His Film Debut Was ‘Coming Soon’
Roday’s first role in a film was in the 1999 romantic comedy ‘Coming Soon’ and he played the role of Chad. The film also starred Ashton Kutcher in the role of Louie and it was his first film role, too. Others who starred in this movie included Bonnie Root, Gaby Hoffmann, Tricia Vessey, Ryan Reynolds, Yasmine Bleeth, and Mia Farrow. ‘Coming Soon’ was directed by Colette Burson, who also co-wrote the film with Kate Robin.
5. His Directorial Debut in Film Was Gravy
When James Roday began his directing career, he initially worked in television. Between 2009 and 2014, he directed eight episodes of ‘Psych’, in which he also starred and some of which he wrote. He then directed and wrote the pilot for ‘Shoot the Moon’. He made his film directorial debut with the 2015 comedy horror film ‘Gravy’. He also co-wrote the movie with Todd Harthan and made a cameo appearance in the film as a paramedic. This film starred Michael Weston, Jimmi Simpson, Sutton Foster, Lily Cole, Sarah Silverman, and Gabourey Sidibe. This film had a limited release in the United States before it was released on video, DVD, and Blu-ray.
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