Paul Rodriguez has spent his career in front of the camera, most recognize him as an actor and comedian.
But he's trading in the Hollywood spotlight, in hopes of bringing change to a problem plaguing California, and his family.
"This is not a joke what's going on here," Rodriguez told a packed house at the Seven Oaks Country Club.
On Thursday there was no punch line, or joke from the actor and comedian, just straight, serious talk about California's water crisis.
"In reality we are trying to defend our way of life here in California," Rodriguez told 17 News.
Rodriguez, best known from his Hollywood films, and stand up comedy career now finds himself serving as the chairman for the California Latino Water Coalition, a group trying to draw attention to the state's dire water situation.
"Right here in Bakersfield is going to be a crucial area, because we believe we can convince people, if we don't secure water there will be no future," said Rodriguez.
The water crisis has affected his family, who has devoted their entire life to agriculture.
Now he pushes for a bond measure to appear on the ballot in November.
Then, voters will decide whether the state should borrow $11.1 billion to overhaul the state's water system.
The measure also provides protection to ecosystem and watershed projects throughout the state.
"At some point we have to say, that the food humans need is important," said State Senator Roy Ashburn. "We are going to fight to have the water we need to grow the food for the people in the Central Valley and across the country," Ashburn added.
Environmentalists, opposed to the drinking water supply act of 2010, say it does not provide adequate protection for the Delta Smelt.
