'Jels' Jose Luis Rodriguez
- Stunts
- Actor
Jose Luis Rodriguez is a New York based Stuntman/Action Actor. He was born May
8th, 1984 in Manhattan, New York and raised in Washington Heights. He is the third
of a six-child household. Always a physically energetic child, Jose developed an
interest in art, film and becoming a physical actor/stunt person.
While growing up, Jose loved watching action films on TV and frequently tried to emulate fight scenes with his brothers. At the age of 8, he joined a Taekwondo (ITF/Chang Hon-style Taekwondo) Dojo, a discipline which he still practices to this day. During his teenage years, Jose continued picking up different athletic skills such as weight training, wrestling (WWF style) and gymnastics.
Jose attended Washington Irving High School located near Union Square in New York City. Being in the Arts program, Jose started out sketching his favorite Japanese Animation, Dragon Ball Z and other Mangas. On the recommendation of one of his teachers, Jose began sketching and painting classes. As Jose improved his art skills, he brought his visual proficiency and artistic eye to photography. His school offered courses in classic photo developing (darkroom, exposing film) and these skills would serve him in the future.
During his time at Purchase College, Jose pursued a Liberal Arts degree with a focus on Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology. In this same period, Jose began training and competing in Taekwondo sparring events. Feeling discomfort about fighting against younger opponents, Jose decided in his senior year to discontinue sparring and focused on training other fighters. He also ventured into other physical activities such as Mountain/rock climbing, swimming and Boxing/Kickboxing. While in College, Jose explored his fascination with film and TV by taking a few courses such as New Media and Cinema Studies classes. Jose applied his painting and photography skills to understanding film. While painting and photography are primarily executed alone, Jose realized that film is mostly a collaborative effort. With that discovery, he felt inspired to one day work in the film industry. After Graduating college, Jose followed different career paths such as Graphic Designer, Photographer, Editor, and Animator. None of these brought him true fulfillment.
In 2015, Jose returned to his love of physical activities and became an AFAA Certified Trainer. It wasn't long before Jose had a robust clientele. Lingering though, was a desire to have part of his career be in the Visual Arts. Little did Jose know it would become a possibility.
As he continued his Personal Training career, Jose began training a client who is a director. This client introduced him to a renowned New York based Stunt Coordinator, Manny Siverio, who has over 500 stunt credits. Manny advised Jose about the Stunt industry and introduced him to an amazing Stunt School teacher, Chazz Menendez, founder of UATW stunt school and The Quiet Storm Training Group. He also trains with 247STAR. This is how Jose honed his skills in combat choreography, high falls, hand pulls, tumbling, gun safety, weapons handling, etc... starting his career path as a stunt performer/actor. He is now a part of Team One Take, and is building his resume of films in which he is a featured stunt performer and action actor.
While growing up, Jose loved watching action films on TV and frequently tried to emulate fight scenes with his brothers. At the age of 8, he joined a Taekwondo (ITF/Chang Hon-style Taekwondo) Dojo, a discipline which he still practices to this day. During his teenage years, Jose continued picking up different athletic skills such as weight training, wrestling (WWF style) and gymnastics.
Jose attended Washington Irving High School located near Union Square in New York City. Being in the Arts program, Jose started out sketching his favorite Japanese Animation, Dragon Ball Z and other Mangas. On the recommendation of one of his teachers, Jose began sketching and painting classes. As Jose improved his art skills, he brought his visual proficiency and artistic eye to photography. His school offered courses in classic photo developing (darkroom, exposing film) and these skills would serve him in the future.
During his time at Purchase College, Jose pursued a Liberal Arts degree with a focus on Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology. In this same period, Jose began training and competing in Taekwondo sparring events. Feeling discomfort about fighting against younger opponents, Jose decided in his senior year to discontinue sparring and focused on training other fighters. He also ventured into other physical activities such as Mountain/rock climbing, swimming and Boxing/Kickboxing. While in College, Jose explored his fascination with film and TV by taking a few courses such as New Media and Cinema Studies classes. Jose applied his painting and photography skills to understanding film. While painting and photography are primarily executed alone, Jose realized that film is mostly a collaborative effort. With that discovery, he felt inspired to one day work in the film industry. After Graduating college, Jose followed different career paths such as Graphic Designer, Photographer, Editor, and Animator. None of these brought him true fulfillment.
In 2015, Jose returned to his love of physical activities and became an AFAA Certified Trainer. It wasn't long before Jose had a robust clientele. Lingering though, was a desire to have part of his career be in the Visual Arts. Little did Jose know it would become a possibility.
As he continued his Personal Training career, Jose began training a client who is a director. This client introduced him to a renowned New York based Stunt Coordinator, Manny Siverio, who has over 500 stunt credits. Manny advised Jose about the Stunt industry and introduced him to an amazing Stunt School teacher, Chazz Menendez, founder of UATW stunt school and The Quiet Storm Training Group. He also trains with 247STAR. This is how Jose honed his skills in combat choreography, high falls, hand pulls, tumbling, gun safety, weapons handling, etc... starting his career path as a stunt performer/actor. He is now a part of Team One Take, and is building his resume of films in which he is a featured stunt performer and action actor.
