Picture this: you’re a mixed-race actor who’s spent years auditioning for stereotypical Native American roles, complete with fake accents and spiritual clichés. Then you get a script that simply says “use your normal accent.” That’s exactly what happened to Román Zaragoza when he auditioned for CBS’s “Ghosts”—and it changed everything.
Now, millions of viewers know him as Sasappis, the sarcastic, pizza-loving ghost who’s been dead for 500 years but still manages to be the most relatable character on the show.
Who is Román Zaragoza? Breaking Hollywood’s Mold
Román Zaragoza isn’t your typical Hollywood success story. At 29, he’s already wearing multiple hats as an actor, director, and producer. Born May 8, 1996, in New York City, he brings something fresh to every project—authenticity that you can’t fake.
His background reads like a modern American story. Dad’s side? Akimel O’otham and Mexican. Mom’s side? Japanese and Taiwanese. His father, Gregory Zaragoza, is an established actor, while his mother Shirley teaches business at the college level.
But here’s what makes Román different: he doesn’t just play diverse characters—he lives that diversity every day. And in an industry that’s still figuring out how to handle mixed-race actors, that’s pretty powerful.
From Broadway Dreams to West Coast Reality
Román’s earliest memory? Watching his dad perform in “Annie Get Your Gun” on Broadway alongside Bernadette Peters in 1999. Not exactly your average childhood experience, but it planted seeds that would grow into something bigger.
When the family moved to Hell’s Kitchen, nine-year-old Román took the subway to school every day. Those rides past Broadway marquees weren’t just commutes—they were daily reminders that storytelling could be a career, not just a hobby.
The big move came at eleven when the family relocated to Southern California. Suddenly, Román was trading Broadway for Hollywood, theater for film and TV. It wasn’t an easy transition, especially for a kid trying to figure out where he fit in a world that often wants simple answers to complex identities.
Growing up mixed-race meant constantly explaining himself. “As someone who is mixed race, dual-identities, it’s important that I am able to tell the stories that not only resonate with me, but also speak to a larger picture,” he’s said. That philosophy would become his North Star.
CSUN: Where Román Found His Voice
California State University, Northridge wasn’t Román’s first choice—he’d hoped for UCLA like his older sister Danielle. But sometimes the path you don’t plan turns out to be exactly where you need to be.
Enrolling in 2014 for Cinema and Television Arts, Román felt pretty lost his freshman year. Then something clicked. “My freshman year I just really learned, ‘Your voice matters,'” he recalls. Simple words, but they hit different when you’ve spent years wondering if there’s space for someone like you in entertainment.
His involvement with the American Indian Student Association connected him to a community that got it. Taking American Indian Studies classes and attending the annual Powwow weren’t just academic exercises—they were homecoming moments.
The real breakthrough came in 2017 when he landed the lead role of Usnavi in the Department of Theatre’s production of “In the Heights” at The Soraya. Standing on that stage, Román wasn’t just playing a character—he was proving to himself that his voice really did matter.
Native Voices: The Foundation That Changed Everything
At fifteen, Román discovered Native Voices at the Autry—the only Equity Native American Theatre company in the country. This wasn’t just another acting gig; it was like finding family he didn’t know he’d been missing.
Randy Reinholz became more than a mentor—he became the person who showed Román that Indigenous stories could be told with dignity and power. Working on “Off the Rails” at Native Voices opened doors Román hadn’t even known existed.
When the production got selected for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, it meant taking a three-year break from college. Risky? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely. Those years (2017, 2018, 2019) at OSF gave him training you can’t get in a classroom.
“It was there that he met his mentor, Randy Reinholz, who made an influential impact on Zaragoza’s life,” as one profile noted. Sometimes the most important education happens outside traditional classrooms.
The Road to Television Stardom
Román’s TV journey started small—appearances on “Austin & Ally” and “Stumptown” (where he got to work with his dad for the first time professionally). Each role taught him something new about screen acting versus stage work.
Then came late 2020 and the “Ghosts” audition. Román was finishing his final year at CSUN, juggling studies with his growing acting career. The timing seemed impossible, but sometimes impossible timing is exactly right.
Reading that character description, his heart sank. Another Native character in a supernatural setting—he’d been down this road before. But then he saw those magic words: “Please use your normal accent.”
That single line told him everything he needed to know. This wasn’t going to be another stereotypical portrayal. This was going to be something real.
Sasappis: The Ghost Who Stole America’s Heart
Sasappis—or “Sass” as he prefers—is everything Román had hoped to find in a Native American character. He’s complex, funny, and genuinely human. Sure, he’s been dead for 500 years, but he’s also the guy who gets excited about pizza and isn’t afraid to stir up drama when things get boring.
The character works because he’s contradictory in the best way. He tries to be the voice of reason among the ghosts, but he’s also the one most likely to spill someone’s secrets just to see what happens. He’s wise from centuries of existence, but he can get his feelings hurt like any twenty-something.
What makes Sass special is how the show handles his cultural disconnection. Being separated from his people and culture for 500 years isn’t just backstory—it’s a living reality that affects how he relates to the world. It’s a metaphor that resonates with many Indigenous viewers who understand what cultural disconnection feels like.
The writers have crafted storylines that honor both his Indigenous identity and his individual personality. Whether he’s helping Sam and Jay with their website or sharing stories from his past, Sass never feels like a token character or a cultural stereotype.
Changing the Game for Native Representation
Román didn’t just show up to set and read his lines. He actively pushed for authentic representation, suggesting the production hire Lenape consultant Joe Baker to ensure cultural accuracy. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes advocacy that actually changes things.
The writing staff includes John Timothy, who’s Muskogee Creek, adding another Indigenous voice to the creative process. These aren’t just diversity checkboxes—they’re real people making real decisions about how Native Americans are portrayed on mainstream TV.
One of the most meaningful episodes featured a land acknowledgment, something Román specifically advocated for. It wasn’t preachy or heavy-handed—it was educational in the best way, helping viewers understand why recognizing Indigenous peoples’ connection to land matters.
Román’s work is part of a larger wave of authentic Native representation that includes “Reservation Dogs,” “Rutherford Falls,” and films like “Prey.” It’s not just about more Native actors on screen—it’s about better, more honest storytelling.
Beyond the Screen: Producer, Director, Advocate
While “Ghosts” made him famous, Román’s creative ambitions go way beyond acting. As a producer on the short film “This Is Their Land,” he helped tell the story of the Modoc War of 1872-73 and the impossible choices Indigenous leaders faced.
His directing work includes music videos for his sister Raye Zaragoza, including “Change Your Name,” inspired by their mother’s immigration experiences. These projects show his commitment to telling stories that reflect the complexity of mixed-race and immigrant experiences.
Román’s advocacy extends to organizations like IllumiNative, which fights negative stereotypes about Native Americans in media. He also supports Black Lives Matter, Return to the Heart Foundation, and Seeding Sovereignty—showing he understands how different social justice movements connect.
After graduation, he hosted a podcast for CSUN’s American Indian Student Association, interviewing Indigenous creators like Stephen Graham Jones and Karissa Valencia. It’s the kind of community-building work that doesn’t make headlines but makes a real difference.
What’s Next for Román Zaragoza
With “Ghosts” renewed for additional seasons, Román’s platform keeps growing. The show’s success proves audiences are hungry for diverse stories told with genuine respect—not just diversity for diversity’s sake, but authentic representation that enriches the storytelling.
Looking ahead, Román’s committed to using his influence to support projects that challenge stereotypes and create space for underrepresented voices. His CSUN experience taught him “your voice matters,” and now he’s helping others discover that same truth.
As both artist and advocate, Román represents entertainment’s future—where authenticity beats stereotype, where cultural complexity gets celebrated instead of simplified, and where success isn’t just about ratings but about positive impact on communities that have been marginalized too long.
His journey from uncertain college student to confident TV star offers hope to anyone who’s felt caught between worlds or unsure about their place in entertainment. Through his work, Román proves that the most powerful stories often come from people who refuse to let others write their narrative.
And honestly? That’s exactly the kind of representation we need more of.
