Credit: Courtesy Photo / Keep It Texas Productions
When San Antonio comedian and TV personality Cleto Rodriguez cries in his new film Anxious Mark, those tears are the real deal.
“That’s not acting,” Rodriguez, 55, told the Current during a recent interview. “I was really in pain.”
Over the past few years, Rodriguez’s health has been marked by a series of serious setbacks, including stage five kidney disease, which has dramatically changed his life.
“My kidneys are not functioning, so that’s why I had to start doing dialysis,” he said. “It’s been an overwhelming experience.”
Earlier this year, between dialysis treatments, Rodriguez decided to do something he had never done before: play the lead role in a movie. Anxious Mark, which premieres at City Base Cinemas on Saturday, Sept. 5, follows a comedian and faith leader whose life begins to unravel when anxiety forces him to confront past trauma.
Along with the challenges of dialysis during production, Rodriguez also underwent surgery after glaucoma caused him to lose sight in his right eye.
“It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life,” he said. “I was popping Tylenol like crazy just to deal with it.”
Nevertheless, Rodriguez stuck with the production because he’d made a commitment to star in Anxious Mark. The role was written specifically with him in mind.
“The guy’s a warrior,” co-director and co-writer Bert Lopez said of the comedian. “He was going through so much health-wise when we made the film. We shot some long scenes in Woodlawn Park, and he just battled through it.”
During our interview, Rodriguez — whose past Where’s Cleto? news segments on WOAI and KABB brought him into many SA households — talked about what attracted him to the role, which Oscar winners he studied for inspiration and what he learned about himself through the process.
Most people know you as a comedian and TV personality. When did you first become interested in acting?
I’ve always wanted to make a film. I’ve done little parts in other films, like playing a funny police officer, but that was right up my alley. I didn’t have to stretch at all. But when Bert asked me to be part of a drama, I thought, “You know, I wouldn’t mind trying this to see how it goes.” Being a faith-based film was also a plus for me.
How did you prepare for the role since your acting experience was limited?
All I did was channel my inner Denzel [Washington]. (Laughs.) I just tried to keep up with all the actors on set. Playing the lead was a bit intimidating, but I wanted to act like I’d been there before. I did a lot of research by watching movies with [Robert] De Niro and [Al] Pacino. The other actors on our set like Jacinto Rodriguez, Nino Brown and J.J. Perez were so accommodating and helpful. They were really patient with me. This film came at the best time and worst time, because I was coming out of the hospital.
How do you think you did in the lead role?
My directors — Lopez and Rogelio Cirilo — told me that I’d be shocked when I see myself because my performance is Hollywood-caliber. I was like, “From your mouth to God’s ears.” I invited a lot of people to the premiere, so I told [Bert and Rogelio] to let me know if I look like a clown. If I do, I might have to be in the restroom during the whole movie.
Where’s Cleto? He’s been in the restroom for the last hour!
Yeah! Where’s Cleto? But from what they tell me, I’m going to be surprised. We’re about to sell out our fourth theater. According to City Base, this is going to be one of the biggest premieres they’ve ever had. I’m honored to be part of that.
Do you think the physical and emotional things you were going through at the time helped your performance?
I was definitely vulnerable at that time, and I was overwhelmed. I would go to dialysis in the morning and then go film after that. Dialysis takes a lot out of you. There were some days where I didn’t know how I got through it. But playing one of the leads in the movie, I knew I couldn’t phone it in. I had to bring everything. I had to work through the pain.
Did you see similarities between you and your character?
Yeah, at first I thought it was a biopic! You have this guy looking for acceptance from his dad. Doing those scenes took me to another place. I thought I would have to start therapy all over again. My character is a good guy. He defends his brother and sister. He finally reaches a point where he’s like, “I’ve taken care of everybody, but who is taking care of me?” That’s when his faith comes in and takes over.
What did you learn about yourself making this movie during a difficult time in your life?
With all my health issues, everything seemed so doom and gloom. Making the film was the only light I saw. It was the only thing that got my mind off myself. I saw that the strength within myself came from a higher power. I leaned on God to get me through this one.
Will you be disappointed if you don’t win an Oscar?
(Laughs.) Yes, because I already have my speech written!
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