Kings of comedy take Stockton stage

You've seen him in "Ali," "Blood Work" and "Tortilla Soup." But now you can see actor and comedian Paul Rodriguez perform stand-up comedy in Stockton. Tonight at the Bob Hope Theatre, Rodriguez is bringing his crew of funny guys for the Crown Royal Latin Kings of Comedy.

Q: Of the people you've worked with in show business, who is your favorite?

A: The ones I really enjoy are those who I admired even before I was in show business — like Clint Eastwood and Anthony Hopkins. But they're no less important than working with Edward James Olmos and Cheech Marin.

Q: Have you ever been to Lodi ?

A: I have been to Lodi. I have a cousin there, Hector Gonzales Rodriguez. He sells insurance.

Q: If you were stuck in Lodi, what are three things you would bring?

A: I wouldn't look at it as being stuck. My phone book — that's essential. I don't discard any phone numbers. I try to stay in touch.

Q: You do film and TV, why do you want to Latin Kings of Comedy?

A: The most important thing I'm trying to establish is a tradition for Latinos to have a way to be showcased and to be seen. The first time (Kings of Comedy) worked well with George Lopez. Even before that, when Carlos Mencia, George and I were traveling it worked. It was destined to be successful.

Paul Rodriguez at a Glance

• His son, Paul Rodriguez Jr., is a professional skateboarder who won the Gold Medal at the 2004 X-games in the Street competition. He is also the first Hispanic to sign with Nike and will have a P-Rod shoe coming out in March 2005.
• His directorial debut came in 1994 with the film, "A Million to Juan," a family comedy in which he also wrote and starred.
• He landed the coveted role of outspoken fight physician Freddie Pacheco in Columbia Pictures big budget biopic "Ali." Other movie roles include "The Price of Glory," "Tortilla Soup," "Crocodile Dundee in LA," "The Shipment," "Rat Race," and "Chasing Papi."
• Recently he had the opportunity to work with Clint Eastwood in the Warner Brothers film "Bloodwork."

Crown Royal Latin Kings of Comedy at a Glance

When: Tonight at 7 p.m.
Where: Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St.
Tickets: $24.50-$41.50
Information: 337-HOPE

Q: What's your favorite movie?

A: I like to watch "Bad Seed," the black and white version. It's about a little girl who's evil.

I love anything that Marlon Brando did.

When I was doing a movie called "Rat Race" I got to meet (Brando). A bunch of us were out drinking and having fun ... with a guy that I didn't was his son. I asked the guy I was with, "How does a Puerto Rican get a name like Brando?" He said his father was Marlon Brando. I told him I've always admired him and he said, "Why don't you come over to the house and meet him." And I went over . There was a large man in a sofa eating Cheetos. It was him. I was like a 16-year old girl at an N-Sync concert. Marlon said, "So Paul, I've heard of you. I guess you've heard of me?" We talked about cars and horses.

Q: Your son is a well-known skateboarder? Did you teach him everything he knows?

A: I couldn't teach him how to skateboard. He found something in life that he really loves and I'm happy for him that he did that. One day he told me, "I'm skateboarding now and I'm going to be a professional."

Q: Is there anything you want to accomplish that you haven't?

A: I would like to live long enough to see Hispanics on TV as much as anyone else. I hope I'm remembered as someone who tried to help. I want people to say I was very funny occasionally.

Q: Do you have any tips for people wanting to go into comedy?

A: Yes, there's nothing anyone can do to stop you if you really want to be in show business. And, there's really nothing anyone can say if you don't want it. Don't' get into show business or anything because it pays a lot.

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