Jason Rodriguez was born in 1972 in Spanish Harlem, but his upbringing was shaped by his parents' decision to raise him in the Bronx. He was the only child of Jose and Maria Rodriguez, who sent him to Catholic schools to escape the challenges of growing up in the South Bronx.
Despite his mother's struggles with health issues, including two failed kidney transplants, diabetes, and dialysis, she was determined to provide the best possible life for her son. Tragedy struck when Jason was just 16 years old, as he was arrested and charged as an adult with Manslaughter. He was sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison, with the majority of his time spent in maximum security facilities.
During his incarceration, Jason continued his education, taking advantage of college and vocational programs offered by the New York State Department of Corrections. However, these programs were eventually eliminated, leaving Jason with limited opportunities for personal growth.
The loss of his parents was a significant blow to Jason's life. His mother passed away in 1996 due to a stroke, and his father succumbed to a heart attack in 2002. Despite these setbacks, Jason persevered, facing numerous denials of parole before finally being released on July 1, 2005, at the age of 32.
After 16 years and 8 months behind bars, Jason was paroled to his aunt, Patricia Rodriguez, who had taken him in despite the lack of support from the rest of his family. Just nine months later, Jason's life took a dramatic turn when he was cast in the principle role of "Pride and Glory" by Director Gavin O'Connor.
This opportunity allowed Jason to work alongside seasoned actors Colin Farrell, Edward Norton, John Voight, and John Ortiz, despite having no formal acting experience. Since then, Jason has continued to pursue his passions, writing, acting, directing, producing, and giving back to his community.
Through his website, www.Jay-po.com, Jason shares his story and insights on overcoming adversity and achieving success. He has also written articles and books, starred in feature films, and serves as a motivational speaker, inspiring others with his personal story of redemption.
Jason's documentary, "Soul Survivors," airs on EBRU TV, and he has been invited to speak at colleges, high schools, acting seminars, and other institutions, sharing his experiences and offering guidance on overcoming challenges and achieving one's goals.
Jason is currently working on a book, "From Prison to Hollywood," which will chronicle his remarkable journey from serving 17 years in prison to breaking down barriers and stereotypes as an ex-felon.
