Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Philip Anthony-Rodriguez The Hot DA in "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"

TeleVISION by Julio Martinez

This week’s TeleVISION column spotlights Brooklyn-born Nuyorican actor Philip Anthony-Rodriguez, who is looking forward to expanded airtime with his recurring role as Ruben Enriquez when The Secret Life of the American Teenager returns June 7 for its third season on the ABC Family Channel. “So far, the good news for me is they are using me a lot more.”

Anthony-Rodriguez’s character was introduced last season when series regular bad girl, Adrian Lee (Francia Raisa), set out to find her biological father and discovers he’s a hot shot Assistant District Attorney. “I’m going to be on a whole lot more this season,” he affirms. “They are really expanding Ruben Enriquez’s story line, along with the character of his daughter Adrian, played by Francia. The upcoming season is going to be really good with some surprising plot twists and some jaw dropping moments. Next week, we shoot episode nine of the season and so far, I’ve been in every episode but one.”

When Secret Life, which focused on the life and times of pregnant teen Amy Juergens (played by Shailine Woodley), made its debut in July 2008, most of the mainstream press doubted it would last one season let alone reach a third. But despite the negative reviews from the TV critics, the pilot episode broke the record for the highest rated debut on ABC Family, later eclipsed by the second season premiere which aired June 22, 2009, garnering 2.82 million viewers.

“This show has found its audience,” says Anthony-Rodriguez. “Its popularity among teens has given its creator, Brenda Hampton, the freedom to venture into a wide variety of topics and situations. I’m glad to be part of its expansion.”

One might say Anthony-Rodriguez, who is the son of Puerto Rico-born parents, has had an ever-expanding career since he made his Broadway debut, portraying Mexican American rock idol, Richie Valens, in the musical, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. “I was twenty and I ran the gamut with that show, at the Schubert Theatre in New York, the first national tour and even in London in the West End. That was two-and-a-half years of my life.”

Since then, he has enjoyed an active stage career, including the Tony Award-Winning Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Not About Nightingales, the musical, 4 Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria, a revival of Man of La Mancha, and a nomination for a Kevin Kline Award in the Best Actor Category for his portrayal of Darren, a star baseball player who decides to reveal that he’s gay, in Take Me Out, at St. Louis Repertory Theatre.

Anthony-Rodriguez’s television career has been just as varied, ranging from guest star appearances on Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana to FOX’s cutting edge, 24, highlighted by his series regular stint as NSA agent, Kyle Duarte, on the UPN sci-fi drama, Jake 2.0. His big screen credits include the starring role in the independent film, Ode, based on the novel, Ode to Lata, and co-starring in the feature action/thriller, Undercurrent.

“I am delighted to be this busy,” he says. “During the hiatus of Secret Life, I’ve guest starred on CSI New York and Numbers, as well what I call my bread-and-butter work, voiceovers for CD ROM video games like X Box and PlayStation 3 and others. I’ve done work in the past for Sesame Street in Spanish and a number of voiceover campaigns. I’ve been very blessed.”

The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which also co-stars  Molly Ringwald, premieres June 7 (9pm) on the ABC Family Channel.

LATIN HEAT welcomes breaking news, especially if you have landed a role on the little screen. Send submissions to submissions@latinheat.com and interview requests to Julio@juliomartinez.net.

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