Actors That Love Working with Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez, the director with a Mexican background, is internationally known for over the top action movies like Planet Terror, and over the top kids movies like Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2, Spy 3 and Spy Kids 4. Rodriguez is also known for using the same ensamble cast over and over again. So, who does Robert Rodriguez work with most?
Note: To prevent this list from being too long, I’m only counting actors with a minimum of four films each, instead of the usual three. I’m considering making a part 2

Danny Trejo – 8 Films
The actor with the most Robert Rodriguez credits in his filmography is Danny Trejo, the ex-con and now legendary actor, taco/ donut shop owner first appeared in Rodriguez’s 1995 film Desperado, where he played the minor character “Navajas”. Trejo then proceeded to work with Rodriguez, most notably playing Uncle Machete in the Spy Kids movies, and in his own spinoff movies, Machete and Machete Kills.
Appeared in: Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids 1, 3, 4, Once Upon a time in Mexico, Machete & Machete Kills

Antonio Banderas – 7 Films
Banderas, famous for playing Zorro and Puss, as in Puss in Boots ( Shrek ), first appeared in Rodridguez’s two 1995 movies, the El Mariachi sequel ‘Desperado’ and Four Rooms, playing ‘El Mariachi’ and a character simply called ‘Man, respectively. Banderas also appeared in the first three Spy Kids movies.
Appeared in: Desperado, Four Rooms, Spy Kids 1-3, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Machete Kills

Salma Hayek – 6 Films
Though mysteriously absent from Rodriguez’s work in over 15 years, Hayek was a regular in Rodriguez movies. She first played Donna in the TV movie “Roadracers” and appeared in most of his movies until Spy Kids 3. She hasn’t been in a single one of his films since. Should Machete Kills in Space ever happen, it could be the perfect opportunity for her to return. Assuming there wasn’t a behind-the-scenes fallout between the two. Regardless of current Rodriguez collaborations, Hayek has become one of the richest and most famous Latina actresses in the World.
Roadracers, Desperado, Four Rooms, The Faculty, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Spy Kids 3

Alexa Vega – 5 Films
Vega first starred in the Spy Kids movies. Having then played a couple minor roles in two other Rodriguez movies. Honestly, there’s not much to say about her. She shares the fourth spot for actors with the most Rodriguez collaborations, along with her Spy Kids on screen brother, Daryl Sabara.
Appeared in: Spy Kids 1-3, Machete Kills, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Daryl Sabara – 5 Films
Sabara, the actor mostl famously known for Spy Kids, and being married to Meghan Trainor first appeared in Spy Kids. Also appearing in all three if it’s sequels. He also played a small role in Machete. Not much to say about him either.
Appeared in: Spy Kids 1-4, Machete

Jessica Alba – 4 Films
She first appeared as the main actress in both of the Sin City films, where she played “Nancy Callahan”. Eventually she made the unfortunate mistake of appearing in Spy Kids 4, which was ‘interesting’ to say the least. There are definately other Rodriguez projects she could’ve joined that would’ve been better career options, especially since her most famous project in the last five years, was a Taylor Swift music video.
Appeared in: Sin City 1 & 2, Machete, Spy Kids 4

Tom Savini – 4 Films
The veteran cinema make-up artist has been in the industry since before the original Dawn of the Dead movie, having since worked on several other famous projects. Though more of a make-up artist than an actor, Savini has done some acting. In fact, he even played Jason Vorhees in the hitchhiker scene in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. He’s played mostly small/supporting roles, the first Rodriguez one being From Dusk Till Dawn.
Appeared in: From Dusk Till Dawn, Planet Terror, Machete & Machete Kills

That was my list of actors that love working with Robert Rodriguez. Feel free to comment your favorite Robert Rodriguez movie below.

-The Screenwriter

PS, happy birthday to Viggo Mortensen

Thumbnail belongs to Thomas Crenshaw

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