Wed 13.5. – Wed 15.7.
Kino Aero, Prague
in progress
Project Hail Mary
A screening of the film Spasitel at Kino Aero in Prague.
James Ortiz
About
James Ortiz (born February 16, 1984, in Albany, New York) is an American puppet designer, puppeteer, actor and director of Puerto Rican descent, working across theater, opera and film. He holds an Obie Award for puppet design for the off-Broadway play The Woodsman and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design for the 2022 Broadway revival of The Skin of Our Teeth. He reached global audiences in 2026 by voicing and operating the alien puppet Rocky in the blockbuster Project Hail Mary alongside Ryan Gosling, with Amazon MGM Studios submitting him for Best Supporting Actor Oscar consideration.
- Born:
- 16 February 1984 (42 years)
- Place of birth:
- Albany, New York, USA
$677.3M
worldwide box office of Project Hail Mary (2026)
$248M
budget of Project Hail Mary
15+ years
experience in designing puppets for New York theaters
What's new
- 2026-04
Variety confirmed that Amazon MGM Studios will submit Ortiz for the Oscar award in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance as Rocky in the film Project Hail Mary; his performance is also eligible for SAG awards.
- 2026-04
Playbill reported that the film Project Hail Mary became one of the most successful and discussed films of 2026, and Ortiz gained a new wave of fans thanks to his role as Rocky.
- 2026-03
The film Project Hail Mary had its world premiere on March 9, 2026 at the Empire Leicester Square cinema in London and was released in American cinemas on March 20, 2026.
- 2026-02
Before the Super Bowl, the final trailer for the film Project Hail Mary was released, in which Ortiz as a puppeteer is prominently featured.
- 2023
Ortiz directed and designed the puppets and scenography for Bernstein's Candida at the Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee.
Tracks
The Woodsmanoff-Broadway play (2012) that Ortiz wrote, directed, and performed in; it earned him an Obie Award for puppet design
The Skin of Our TeethBroadway production (2022) at Lincoln Center Theater; Ortiz's dinosaur puppets earned him a Drama Desk Award
Into the WoodsBroadway revival (2022); Ortiz's Milky White cow puppet became a viral phenomenon
Project Hail Maryfilm (2026); Ortiz operated and voiced the alien Rocky alongside Ryan Gosling
HerculesPublic Works / Disney production in Central Park (2019); Ortiz designed giant puppets for Delacorte Theatre
Upcoming · 1