Vincent Rodriguez III
Introduction / Who is Vincent Rodriguez III
Vincent Rodriguez III (born August 10, 1982) is an American actor, singer, dancer, and entertainer, best known for his role as Josh Chan in the CW comedy-musical series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Though American by birth, he is of Filipino descent and often cited as a Filipino-American performer.
Early Life & Background
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Vincent was born in San Francisco, California, and raised in nearby Daly City.
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His parents are of Filipino background (with also Spanish and Chinese mixed heritage).
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He has three older sisters, all born in Manila, Philippines.
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Vincent studied at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, graduating in 2003.
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After his training, he moved to New York City around 2005 to pursue theatre and performance opportunities.
He is also trained in martial arts: he holds black belts in Shotokan Karate, Taekwondo, and has training in Kali / Arnis (Filipino stick fighting).
Career & Achievements
Theatre / Stage Work
Vincent’s early work was in theatre and musicals. Some notable credits:
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Pippin (regional revival)
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Anything Goes (touring production)
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Here Lies Love (off-Broadway)
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Regional productions such as Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (La Jolla, San Diego)
He’s also credited in theatre roles as a dance captain, and sometimes a magic consultant in productions.
Television & Screen
His breakthrough and best-known role is:
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Josh Chan in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019), where he was a series regular across 60 episodes.
Other TV appearances include:
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The Onion News Network (bit / guest role)
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Hostages (aide)
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Donny! (tap show host)
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Designated Survivor, Adam Ruins Everything, Another Period, Insatiable (as Detective Rudy Cruz)
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With Love (2021–2023) — he plays Henry Cruz, a main role in this romantic series.
He has also done voice roles in films and animations:
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White Snake (English dub)
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Ne Zha (English dub)
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Arlo the Alligator Boy (voice as Ansel Beauregard)
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He also voiced Raiden in Mortal Kombat 1.
Additional Skills & Roles
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Besides acting, he is also a singer, dancer, musician, magician, and educator.
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He sometimes teaches and mentors in drama schools.
Personal Life & Identity
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Vincent Rodriguez III is openly gay.
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He has been married to Gregory Wright since August 2015.
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His performance as a gay actor playing a straight romantic lead in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has been praised for its nuance and subversion of expectations.
Style, Significance & Legacy
Vincent Rodriguez III is significant in multiple ways:
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Representation & Diversity
As a Filipino-American actor and openly gay performer, his success in mainstream television signals progress in representation. His lead role in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was widely noted for broadening visibility for Asian American and queer actors. -
Versatility
He is not pigeonholed—he transitions between stage, television, voice acting, teaching, and even magic and dance. This range helps carve a sustainable career. -
Musical / Theatrical Roots
His foundation in musical theatre helps when roles require singing, dancing, or movement. That depth gives him an edge in roles like in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which blends comedy, music, and drama. -
Positive Role Modeling
He illustrates that actors need not be cast only within their “identity box”—he played a romantic lead outside the typical categories assigned to queer or minority actors. His example inspires emerging actors from underrepresented groups.
Notable Quotes & Public Statements
While Vincent doesn’t have a large trove of quotable aphorisms, here are a few knowable statements:
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On identity and casting: he has spoken about the challenge and opportunity of portraying a straight lead as a gay actor, emphasizing authenticity and nuance.
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From his biography page: “best known for playing the male lead role of Josh Chan in The CW comedy-drama series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”
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On his heritage: he identifies deeply with his Filipino roots and often emphasizes his cultural background in interviews.