Mario Rodriguez

Mario Rodriguez Jr. was born in Montclair, California, and raised in Pomona, California. His heritage includes a Puerto Rican father and a Mexican-American mother. Raised by his mother and grandparents, Mario developed into a notable athlete, excelling in football and earning a recruitment offer for Division I play. His path shifted when he became a father, leading him to forgo his football career to secure full-time employment and provide for his son, Jayson.

At 23, Mario relocated to Orange County, California, where he began working as a host and promoter at Heat Ultra Lounge. This role fostered his interest in social interaction and the entertainment industry. In 2013, he expanded his public presence by joining Instagram. His online profile led to his discovery by fashion designer Michael Costello, who invited him to walk in LA Fashion Week. This led to his feature in the LA Times, generating further interest from photographers and securing numerous modeling opportunities.

In 2016, Mario made his acting debut with a small role as Frat Guy #10 in “Boo! A Madea Halloween.” He has since continued his acting career, appearing as Raphael Cruz in nine episodes of “The Family Business” from 2020 to 2021. His physical attributes and established modeling portfolio have positioned him for ongoing work in both modeling and acting.