5 fun facts about Texas director Robert Rodriguez, who's getting a Paramount star in Austin

A Texas-born director who created the films of many people's childhoods, "Spy Kids" and "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl," is receiving a star in front of Austin's Paramount Theatre at a public ceremony on Saturday. Later that evening, the theater will screen Rodriguez's 2005 movie "Sin City," followed by a Q&A with Rodriguez and actress Alexis Bledel

Robert Rodriguez isn't just tied to family friendly franchises. The San Antonio native is also the force behind R-rated films such as the "El Mariachi" trilogy, "Sin City," "Planet Terror," "Predators," and "Machete." Since 2020, he seems to be focusing more on family content such as new "Spy Kids" installments.

The star won't be Rodriguez's first mark on Austin, as Troublemaker Studios, the director's production company, calls Austin home with a building on Old Manor Road. Here are five fun facts to know about the acclaimed director:

1. He's good friends with James Cameron

Director James Cameron is perhaps best known for "Titanic" and the "Avatar" franchise, and according to Variety, Rodriguez and his sons were among the first to see an early draft of 2022's "Avatar: The Way of Water." Also, Cameron acted as a producer on Rodriguez's 2019 film "Alita: Battle Angel."

2. He's done work on two "Star Wars" series

Rodriguez worked as an executive producer on "The Book of Boba Fett," which ran from 2021 to 2022. He also directed a season two episode of "The Mandalorian," titled "Chapter 14: The Tragedy."

3. He funded his first film in a unique way

"El Mariachi," released in 1992, cost around $7,000 to make, and that money came in part from Rodriguez enrolling himself as a medical program test subject.

4. His kids help with his films

According to an interview with Polygon in 2020, Rodriguez said his son Racer created the character of Sharkboy as a child. Then, Racer served as a producer on "We Can Be Heroes," a 2020 legacy sequel to "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl." His other kids also worked on the film: his then-20-year-old son composed the score, his then-15-year-old son designed sets and his then-13-year-old daughter drew artwork for a character's iPads.

5. He attended UT Austin

Rodriguez studied at the College of Communication, now known as the Moody College of Communication. He also created a comic strip called "Los Hooligans" for the school's Daily Texan newspaper. In 2015, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award" from the Texas Exes.

If you want to attend the star ceremony...

The 5 p.m. ceremony is free and open to the public with an RSVP. However, a 7:30 p.m. screening of "Sin City," followed by a Q&A with Rodriguez, requires a $25 ticket.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 5 fun facts about Texas director Robert Rodriguez, who's getting a Paramount star in Austin