James Roday Switches Stage Name to Include His Spanish Surname

James Roday is embracing his roots…

The 44-year-old Mexican American actor and former Psych star will now go by James Roday Rodriguez.

James Roday

In an interview with TVLine, he talked about his decision to switch his stage name to his birth surname. 

His given middle name is David, which he’s replaced with Roday, given that he’s worked 20-plus years  under that moniker.

Rodriguez says the idea began with conversations he had with his father about their family heritage and what his parents and grandparents went through growing up in Texas.

“It’s a deeply personal decision that I am doing for me,” said Rodriguez. “And I just hope it’s something that can be amplified. I hope we are all having these conversations in our lives. I hope we are all reflecting. I hope we’re all learning sh*t that we thought we knew but didn’t know.”

Rodriguez has already changed his name on social media.

After two decades as a working actor, the premiere of Psych 2: Lassie Come Home on Wednesday night will also mark the onscreen debut of James Roday Rodriguez.

Rodriguez also stars in ABC’s A Million Little Things.