The Congress Theater’s lobby is steamy. Its classic movie-palace décor is way too regal for it to be a sauna, but it definitely feels like one. But somehow, Lincoln Park native Freddy Rodriguez stays cool. He looks cool, too.

Something about his poses for the photo shoot are way too natural. His stance is all b-boy with just a little extra suave flare. And although he switches it up every few seconds, each pose is just a head nod away from a “What up?” gesture you’d get on any Chicago street.

Right before a wardrobe change, he walks towards a stereo playing reggae from an iPod, which turns out to be his. It’s a fine selection of a little dub, dancehall and roots.

He asks a woman nearby, “You like reggae?” He turns the volume up and busts a move — slowly digging into the beat with his hips. “Yeahhh...” he says.

A few minutes later, after greeting everyone along with a few “thank yous,” Freddy sits on a couch in a studio around the corner from the Congress. The heat of the theater follows him, but still nothing squeezes a drop of sweat out of him.

How do you stay so cool?
[Seeming a bit surprised, he laughs] I don’t know, man. I just do.

You’re back in Chicago. What are you up to?
I bought a place here. So you know, I try to come back as often as possible. It’s usually around the summertime or winter break. But I’m just sorta living here right now.

Where exactly did you grow up?
I grew up right down the block from here, on Armitage and Western. I
moved to Bucktown in 1980. I was born in Lincoln Park.

What was it like for you?
Well, you know, we’re talking about the 80s. It was rough. It was the height of gang culture in Chicago — especially in Bucktown, which you know, borders Humboldt Park and Wicker Park. It wasn’t the greatest place to grow up in. There were drug dealers in every corner, and it was also the height of the crack era. It was a pretty rough place to grow up in. But, you know, it shaped who I am as a person. I survived it, and I appreciate it much more now.

Amidst all that, how did you get into acting?
I started when I was 13, about 20 years ago, because of the condition the area was in. There was an independent theater program that came in and offered the arts to my grammar school — Pulaski Fine Arts Academy. As we all know, whenever there are budget cuts in the school system, the first thing to go are always the arts and sports (programs). So, this independent theater company came in for that year. I had a fluke audition, and I got in. I was hooked ever since.

Is there something from your Chicago experience that you channel into your roles?
Growing up in that kind of environment shapes who you are as a person. No matter how much success you achieve or how much money you make, you always carry a little bit of that with you — always, throughout your whole life.

Someone told me that your first gig was dancing for a kids’ show. Is that true?
[Briefly trips on his words as he laughs] That’s the messed-up part about coming to Chicago, because you come across people that you know since you were 12 years old, and they always bring up old stuff. [Laughs] Yeah, I was involved in all aspects of the arts when I was younger. I used to dance, I used to do choreography, I used to rap... I was just a natural hustler. I was gonna do it no matter what — whether it was through dance or music or acting. The acting stuff hit first, so that’s what I went with.

Did you experience any challenges being a Latino actor?
Yeah, of course, you always face challenges being Latino because there’s always a certain box or category that they try to put you in because of your last name. My philosophy was always, “I came out of the theater, and in theater there is no ethnicity — you embody a role, you play a part, and that’s your job.” Early on in my career I refused a lot of work... Now we’re at a different time when Latinos are in power in Hollywood and are doing more mainstream commercial films — doing better work. I feel good that I didn’t succumb to some films back then.

Tell us about your new film.
“Nothing Like the Holidays” is the first film that I executive produced. I did it with my production partner, Bob Teitel, who is a half-Puerto Rican, half-Jewish guy, also from Chicago. I’ve known him since the early 90s. We always talked about putting together a film. But back then we were rookies, you know, we didn’t really have the power to do it. So for three years we kinda threw ideas around, and we had the rights to a couple different books, but he always had this idea to do “Nothing Like the Holidays.” And I thought the idea was great. I just said, “It’s great, but we just have to do it in a way, in a level of quality, where everybody will go see it. Not just Latinos, but also white people, black people... everybody. So that was our base for writing the script, creating the project and setting the tone. 
“Nothing Like the Holidays” is my love letter back to Chicago, saying, “Thank you. Now, I’m able to do this and bring a movie back home, and film it in the neighborhood where I frequented as a kid.” And it’s just sort of my thank you, my love letter back to Chicago.

What’s the story? Who is your character?
The story revolves around a family. The parents are empty-nesters, and all of their children have left the house. John Leguizamo’s character is this sort of uptight Wall Street lawyer who moved to New York and married a Jewish girl, played by Debra Messing. Vanessa Ferlito, who I did “Grindhouse” with, plays my sister. She plays this Hollywood actress who moved to L.A. And then I play this guy who joined the Marines and went to Iraq. The family hasn’t been together in three years. They decide to get together during Christmastime because I got hurt in Iraq and got honorably discharged. My character is coming home for Christmas, so that gives incentive for the family to get together. But we’re a dysfunctional family. So, you know, a dysfunctional family gets together around Christmastime and all the dysfunctionality ensues.

How involved was the Humboldt Park community?
Oh, man, the community of Humboldt Park... The people who live there were absolutely incredible to us, man. They were just incredibly hospitable. We would be filming in the neighborhood, and people would invite us into their houses. First of all, last winter was probably the coldest winter in, like, 20 years, and we shot about 75 percent of the film outside. So, people in the neighborhood were aware that we were freezing our butts off outside. (They) would open up their doors to us, allow us to come in. They would cook us meals.

On a personal level, I would have expected that, but because I was there as a professional, it was just shocking that people were that nice, because nine out of 10 times when we film in neighborhoods, people are not that nice. If anything it’s the opposite, and people are pissed off that we’re in their neighborhoods and we’re closing the streets.

You're a North-sider. You went to Lincoln Park High School. What were you like in high school?
[Chuckles] I don't know, man. The great thing about Lincoln Park was that it was an arts high school, so I majored in Drama. It was a bunch of art kids together, and it was a great time to be in high school. It was the early 90's. Hip-hop was great at that time. It was the golden era in hip-hop and in fashion... I mean, it was a great time to be in high school. I was barely there because I was always working or doing something, but I enjoyed high school a lot.

What do you do when you’re back in Chicago?
I love to just get out. There’s such an energy in the city. I’m like a sponge. Whenever I come to Chicago I always say that I come here to recharge my batteries. I just feel drained when I’m not here. I love to just get out, get by the lake. I like to bike a lot. I like to hit these little clubs around here in Chicago, go to Wicker Park and hang out in little clubs.

Quickly, what’s your favorite...

...place to eat at in Chicago?
Rumba. That food, that atmosphere... It’s just phenomenal, man. It’ll blow your mind.

...Puerto Rican dish?
Pasteles.

...Cubs or Sox?
[Without hesitation] The Cubs, man! Northwest Side all the way, baby! Yeah! The Cubs!

...Chicago slang word?
Ol’ girl. Ol’ boy. I still say that when I go back to L.A., and (people) say, “What? Ol’ girl? Ol’ boy?”

...Spanish word?
Chacho.

Lastly, you say that “Nothing Like the Holidays,” is your “love letter” to this city. What would your P.S. note on that letter say to Chicagoans?
Just that I’m continuing to produce projects. My goal is to continue to produce things and act in projects that I can bring back to Chicago because I love coming home and working back home. Now that I’m in a position where I can do it, I want to keep doing it.

[ Read More about Freddy's co-stars Elizabeth Peña and Luis Guzmán ]

Comments (8)

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I love this article!
written by Beatrice B, October 12, 2008

Ever since I heard that the magazine was going to publish an article on Freddy Rodriguez I´ve been checking this regularly. But I never thought it was going to be so detailed and interesting! Rodriguez is really admirable as an actor (now producer) and as a person. I am glad he still values his roots and keeps it down-to-earth in spite of his huge fame. As a latina and a fan to Freddy Rodriguez I really want to thank you for the interview.

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Excelente.
written by Sandra Trevino, October 13, 2008

Excelente articulo. Que bueno saber tantas cosas de este gran artista.

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written by Freddy Calixto, October 15, 2008

Hola, I really enjoyed reading the interviews from some of the cast from "Nothinig Like the Holidays". I was under the impression that the film was "Humboldt Park". I am a hugh fan of Freddy Rodriguez having known him when he was growing up in the neighborhood. Freddy was active with BUILD, where I work and I always tried to catch his performance when he was dancing with a dance group that had postive message for the youth. Thank you for bring the story home. God Bless.
Freddy C.

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Change of names
written by Beatrice B, October 15, 2008

Wow, Freddy. you met Rodriguez in his youth? That is wonderful! I am glad you are also his fan. yes, it was formerly called "Humboldt Park" but they changed the name later this year. Sometimes I still refer to it with its old title.
"Freddy was active with BUILD"? you mean this association? http://www.buildchicago.org/
Interesting. Your work is very noble. Wow! Then you mean he is also very social conscious person. I admire this guy! Thanks for the info. I didn´t know that.

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I can't wait to see this movie!!!
written by Ideliza Hernandez, October 15, 2008

Reading about Freddie Rodriguez and the the movie Nothing Like the Holidays made me so happy and proud that this was filmed in Chicago, in Humboldt Park where I was raised. Also being a Latin movie is much to be thankful for. I can't wait to see it, and I hope it gets all the support it desirves!

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written by ANGIE CORTEZ, October 16, 2008

I WENT TO GRAMMAR SCHOOL WITH FREDDY, & MY SISTER ALSO WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH HIS BROTHER WILLIAM, NICE GREAT GUY ALL THE WAY AROUND! NICE TO SEE FREDDY DOING SO GOOD!

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written by Jeannette Soto, October 16, 2008

I grew up with Freddy Rodriguez in the Mclean area chicago, Il . We had our good times and bad times with the family. Fraddy was a good friend and brother to me, when we were growing up we hang out every day. Freddy if you read this please email me. Let's keep in touch, I miss speaking to you its been years but we were really good friend Love you Jeannie.....I will never forget our gatherings and parties with the family.

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written by Daisy Vazquez , October 20, 2008

Well, What can I say, Freddy I'm so proud of you, my lil primo, I remember you break dancing and just having a great time at our family parties, those were the good old days; Freddy keep up the Good Work keep producing movies, we need more Latinos out there. Love you la prima!


P.S. Jennie remember me?

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