Actor, director, & producer Román Zaragoza currently stars in CBS’ award nominated comedy series “Ghosts.” Zaragoza instantly became a fan favorite as Sasappis, a blunt troublemaker who tries to fill eternity by having a little fun & creating some drama. The series debuted on CBS in October 2021 to critical acclaim, with media calling it “charming” (Paste Magazine), stating that a “CBS comedy about the diverse spirits haunting an upstate manor is scary good” (The Wall Street Journal) & declaring that “it’s a superb cast full of fresh faces dropping quotable one-liners left & right” (TVLine). The Television Critics Association Awards also h&ed the comedy two nominations: Outst&ing New Program, & Outst&ing Achievement in Comedy in 2022. “Ghosts” premiered season two on September 29, 2022.
In film Zaragoza serves as a producer on the short “This Is Their Land,” which premiered at the Dances with Films Festival in New York City on December 2, 2022. The film takes place during the Modoc War of 1872-73, follows the brave Modoc Civic Leader Captain Jack as he negotiates for peace in his homeland against the U.S. army, & the sacrifices he makes for the sake of his people. “This Is Their Land” is currently on the festival circuit. As a director Zaragoza most recently co-directed a music video entitled “Change Your Name” for artist Raye Zaragoza, one of his two sisters, which was inspired by their mother’s life & the intersectionality of changing names during the immigration process.
Born in New York City, Zaragoza was raised in a melting pot of culture. He identifies as mixed race, being of Akimel O’otham & Mexican descent on his father’s side & Japanese & Taiwanese descent on his mother’s side. His father, acclaimed actor Gregory Zaragoza & mother, college business professor Shirley supported Zaragoza’s love for the arts from a very young age, with one of his earliest childhood memories spending time backstage watching his father star in the 1999 Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun, alongside the legendary Bernadette Peters. Zaragoza & his family moved to Hell’s Kitchen when he was nine, where he would take the subway to school & pass by all of the major Broadway shows, which would become a huge influence on his future career. By the time Zaragoza turned eleven, his parents moved the family to the west coast, settling in southern California where he continued taking acting, dance, singing, & improv lessons. When Zaragoza was fifteen, he began working with Native Voices at the Autry, the only Equity Native American Theatre company. It was there that he met his mentor, R&y Reinholz, who made an influential impact on Zaragoza’s life as well his show “Off the Rails” at Native Voices which was later selected to go to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Zaragoza attended Cal State University Northridge where he graduated with a degree in Film Production. He is a proud member of CSUN’s American Indian Student Association & continues his involvement post-graduation. While in college, he took time to go work with the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF – 2017, 2018, 2019) where he was able to further hone his craft. Zaragoza notes that his time working with the company aided in discovering more about his identity, specifically his racial identity, bringing characters to life that were a vessel for Native, Asian, & mixed identities. Upon graduation & finishing his time with OSF, Zaragoza landed his biggest role to date, starring on CBS’ “Ghosts.”
Zaragoza writes essays & poetry focusing on mixed representation in film, television, & theatre. On the charity front Zaragoza has supported a h&ful of organizations over the years including Seeding Sovereignty, Black Lives Matter, Return to the Heart Foundation, & IllumiNative, an initiative created & led by Natives to challenge the negative narrative that surrounds Native communities & ensure accurate & authentic portrayals of Native communities are present in pop culture & media.
