A rising Latina from Miami who has made a career in modeling, TV commercials and as an actress – Catalina Rodriguez was born in Medellin, Colombia, her family is that of Spaniard and German descent. At three years old her family relocated to Miami, Florida in search of the American Dream where she was raised along with her older sister, Liliana. As the daughter of Guillermo, a freelance camera man and Maria, a sales rep, Catalina began her life in show business at the young age of five as a cast member in the HIT-TV children’s comedy show “Caramelo y Galletita.” At 8 years of age she participated in her first pageant and by the time she was 18 years old she had won three major titles, reached the semi-finals in Miss World Colombia and was the runner-up in Teen Magazine’s Model Search. These achievements, however, were only a stepping stone into her modeling career, where she modeled for several brands, including BodyGlove and Urban clothing companies, before even attending college.
Determined to go beyond modeling and into her true passion of acting Catalina attended a prestigious magnet program at the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Center (P.A.V.A.C.) where she dedicated all four years of high school to cultivating and honing her skills in the visual and performing arts. There, she performed in various productions, including Miss Sarah Brown in “Guys and Dolls”, Maria in “West Side Story” and “Much A Do About Nothing” in Disney’s Pleasure Island, among many others.
She then attended the University of Miami where she double majored in Film & Television as well as Theater. Expanding her knowledge beyond acting, she also discovered a talent behind the scenes as a television and video editor; a skill that would help her pay for college by landing part time jobs as a news editor with the local affiliate of NBC WTVJ channel 6 – as well as other freelance projects. Throughoutthis, Catalina’s passion and dedication for acting only grew stronger. That’s why while attending college full time and working as a television news editor, she still managed to attend castings, securing commercial work for several major brands and TV guest appearances in Telemundo and PUMA TV.
After graduating college, Catalina knew that it was time to take her acting career to the next level and made one of the hardest decisions she has ever had to make. Leaving behind her strong family support system and several television and commercial opportunities in Miami, she moved across the country to the west coast on her own.
Today, after four years of living in Los Angeles, Catalina still has no regrets and realizes that no matter how difficult, she has made the best decision in order to further her career. Throughout her journey, her family has remained close and supportive, reminding her everyday that sometimes in order to achieve big dreams and rewards you need to take big risks and make difficult sacrifices – like leaving everything you have ever known behind…including the ones you love.
Throughout her years in Los Angeles Catalina has been represented in the Theatrical division by Steven Neibert at Imperium 7 Talent Agency. Imperium 7 also represents her in the Voice Over division. Commercially she is represented by MKS and Associates. She is also represented by management company McGowan Management. She is part of both unions the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television Radio Artists (AFTRA).
In 2006, Catalina made her film debut in the independent film, “SPIN,” where she plays one of the lead roles, Dolores Rosas. “starring Shalim Ortiz (son of Charitin) as well as Fernando Carillo. A story of Latinos striving to attain the American Dream within the sexy Latin Music world of Miami. Infused with sex, passion and betrayal. The film targets a crossover English speaking audience with its fast paced, music and dance driven bitter-sweet drama set in the world of the beautiful, the wealthy and the self made Miami Latino music crowd. This English-language film will attract a Spanish and English speaking audience, both in the U.S and Internationally.” The movie premiered in 2007 in selected movie theaters in major cities across the US and can be purchased or viewed at any Blockbuster nationwide.
Catalina continues to study and broaden her skills, methods, techniques and has attended several acting schools in the city such as; Margie Habor, Lesly Kahn, The Beverly Hills Playhouse and Upright Citizen Brigade Theatre.
In July of 2007 Catalina was chosen to be part of Disney /ABC’s Television 20th Actors Showcase supporting and creating opportunities for diverse talent, featuring promising upcoming actors. Twelve actors were selected from among more than 600 candidates who submitted their resumes and were auditioned (Catalina being one of them). A three month theatrical preparation is designed for these actors. Casting directors, talent agents and other industry professionals viewed a series of one-act vignettes performed by the actors. The showcase took place at the El Portal Theatre Center for the Performing Arts, on November 14th..
Another great moment for Catalina was when she appeared in a recurring role of 32 episodes on My Network TV series drama, “Watch Over Me,” where she played the cunning and wicked temptress, Sasha Hansu.
Most recently we saw her starring in the 3rd season of the episodic thriller, “Dexter” “The Lion Sleeps tonight”.
She also shot the feature film “April Fools” and played the role of Salina; the caregiver of an autistic boy.
Her most recent project was the film “Pimp Bullies”, directed by Alfonso Rodriguez and shot in the Island of Dominican Republic. Here Catalina portrays the character of Isabel Rodriguez, the lead. A woman but a mother first who sacrifices her life for her son and family and becomes a victim of abuse, drugs and prostitution. Starring Ving Rhames, Adrian Belanni, Hemky Madera, Lizbeth Santos.
Her latest project was a film written and directed by Asher Levin. “Cougar’s Inc.”, a comedy drama, think 16 Candles meets The Graduate. With an amazing cast; Sarah Hyland, Jim Belushi, Denise Richards, Kathryn Morris, Kyle Gallner, Eddie Murphy’s son Chris Murphy and more. Here Catalina plays one of the cougars a supporting leads as an exotic comedic Spanish friend who falls for the young high school boy and the younger lifestyle.
Today she is more focused than ever before, and continues her passionate lifelong journey as an actress, living life in the moment and following her favorite long time motto “everything happens for a reason… a good reason…
