'CSI: Miami' The Board Game

Eric Rodriguez Has A New Role In The Cards

(CBS)  Adam Rodriguez was already a hot young star as a result of his role as the underwater recovery expert Eric Delko on "CSI: Miami."

Rodriguez is prominently featured in a board game version of the CBS crime drama that has just been introduced, prompting him to exclaim: "I have arrived! I'm here!"

"It's kind of like being the top hat … in Monopoly," Rodriguez tells The Early Show. He dropped by to talk about his role on television and in the game.

Rodriguez, born on April 2, 1975 near New York City, has become a rising star since landing a role in the hit CBS primetime series "CSI: Miami" four years ago. He had gotten his feet wet as an actor with roles in "Roswell" and in "Brooklyn South," and as a performer in a Jennifer Lopez video.

But fame still surprises the young actor, who just turned 30.

"Even if you think it's going to be that popular, until you sort of travel around, especially going outside of the country, and realize how tremendously popular it is," he says. "It's a phenomenon."

Part of the phenomenon is the rare intensity that the crime drama brings to its weekly stories. We asked him how he and his fellow cast members deal with that intensity.

"We make a joy about everything," he says. "Candy could have a dead body laying on the table. We sort of lighten up the situation because it can be heavy. If you sit there, and you're around all this death each day, and the horrible things that happen to people, and the special effects makeup is phenomenal."

So far, Rodriguez has managed to keep his private life to himself. He admits to being in a relationship right now, but won't say more.