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{{Short description|American comedian and actor}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Leguizamo|Leguísamo}}
{{family name hatnote|Leguizamo|Peláez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = John Leguizamo
| name = John Leguizamo
| image = NYU Expansion Plan Lawsuit Press Conference (12122282936) (cropped).jpg
| birth_name = John Alberto Leguizamo
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| image = John Leguizamo at 2014 MIFF.jpg
| caption = Leguizamo at the 2014 [[Miami International Film Festival]] presentation of the film ''Open Windows''
| caption = Leguizamo in 2014
| birth_name = John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez<ref name=fdr1>Stated on ''[[Finding Your Roots]] Season 8, Episode 7: Incredible Journeys'', February 15, 2022.</ref>
| occupation = Actor, voice actor, producer, stand-up comedian, playwright, screenwriter
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|7|22}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|07|22}} or<br>{{birth date and age|1964|07|22}}
| birth_place = [[Bogotá]], [[Colombia]]
| birth_place = [[Bogotá]], Colombia
| citizenship = {{hlist|Colombia|United States}}
| years_active = 1984–present
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|producer|screenwriter}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Yelba Osorio|1994|1996|reason=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Justine Maurer|2003}}
| years_active = 1984–present
| children = 2
| spouse = {{plainlist|
| residence = [[Manhattan, New York]]
* {{marriage|Yelba Osorio|1994|1996|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Justine Maurer|2003}}
}}
}}
| children = 2
| relatives =
| module = {{Infobox comedian|embed=yes
| medium = {{hlist|Film|stand-up|television}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Improvisational comedy]]|[[observational comedy]]|[[character comedy]]|[[blue comedy]]|[[musical comedy]]|satire}}
| subject = {{hlist|[[Latin American culture]]|[[childhood]]|[[self-deprecation]]|family|sex|marriage|[[parenting]]|[[race relations]]|racism|[[human sexuality]]|everyday life}}
}}
}}

'''John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|l|ɛ|g|w|ɪ|ˈ|z|ɑː|m|oʊ|}}, {{respell|LEG|wih|ZAH|moh}}; {{small|Colombian Spanish:}} {{IPA|es|leɣiˈsamo|}}; born July 22, <!---There are conflicting references regarding the birthdate. One cannot be chosen as 'correct' over the other per WP:DOB.-->1960 or 1964{{Efn|There are conflicting sources regarding Leguizamo's birth year. While sources prior to [[Finding Your Roots]] airing state his age as having been born on July 22, 1964,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/04/07/showbiz/gallery/50-people-turning-50-in-2014/index.html|title=50 people turning 50 in 2014|last=|first=|work=CNN|access-date=July 7, 2023|date=October 3, 2014}}</ref> the episode of Finding Your Roots in which he appears briefly shows a family tree which states a birth date of July 22, 1960.<ref name=fdr1/><sup>13:00</sup>|group=note}}) is an American<!-- Do not put "Colombian-American" as place of birth and ethnicity does not belong in the lead per [[MOS:BLPLEAD]] --> stand-up comedian, actor, and film producer. He has appeared in over 100 films, produced over 20 films and documentaries, made over 30 television appearances, and has produced various television projects. He has also written and performed for the [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] stage receiving four [[Tony Award]] nominations for ''[[John Leguizamo: Freak|Freak]]'' in 1998, ''Sexaholix'' in 2002, and ''Latin History for Morons'' in 2018. He received a [[Special Tony Award]] in 2018.


Leguizamo began his career as a stand-up comedian in New York City. After several years of doing supporting roles in film and television, he rose to fame with major roles in the fantasy adventure ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' portraying [[Luigi Mario]] and the crime drama ''[[Carlito's Way]]'' portraying Benny Blanco (both from 1993), followed by a role as drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in the road comedy ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]'' (1995), for which he received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor]] nomination. Other films Leguizamo has since appeared in include ''[[Romeo + Juliet]]'' (1996), ''[[The Pest (1997 film)|The Pest]]'' (1997), ''[[Summer of Sam]]'' (1999), ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'' (2001), ''[[Empire (2002 film)|Empire]]'' (2002), ''[[Love in the Time of Cholera (film)|Love in the Time of Cholera]]'' (2007), ''[[Righteous Kill]]'' (2008), ''[[The Lincoln Lawyer (film)|The Lincoln Lawyer]]'' (2011), ''[[The Counselor]]'' (2013), ''[[John Wick (film)|John Wick]]'' (2014), ''[[John Wick 2]]'' (2017), and ''[[The Menu (2022 film)|The Menu]]'' (2022). As a voice actor, he narrated the sitcom ''[[The Brothers García]]'' (2000–2004) and played [[Sid the Sloth]] in the ''[[Ice Age (franchise)|''Ice Age'' franchise]]'' and [[Bruno Madrigal]] in ''[[Encanto]]'' (2021).<ref>{{cite news |title=The Brothers Garcia Reboot The Garcias Is Coming to HBO Max with Original Cast |url=https://movieweb.com/the-brothers-garcia-reboot-hbo-max/amp/ |work=Movieweb |date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref>
'''John Alberto Leguizamo''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|l|ɛ|g|w|ɪ|ˈ|z|ɑː|m|oʊ|}}; born July 22, 1964)<ref name=biography.com>{{cite web | url = http://www.biography.com/people/john-leguizamo-9542489 | title=John Leguizamo Biography: Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian (1964–) | publisher= [[Biography.com]] ([[FYI (TV network)|FYI]] / [[A&E Networks]] | accessdate= November 8, 2015}}</ref> is an American [[actor]], [[voice actor]], [[Film producer|producer]], [[stand-up comedian]], [[playwright]] and [[screenwriter]]. As of 2009, Leguizamo has appeared in over 75 films, produced over 10 films, starred on Broadway in several productions (winning several awards), made over a dozen television appearances, and has produced or starred in many other television shows.


Leguizamo is also known for his television roles including ''[[John Leguizamo: Freak|Freak]]'' (1998) for which he received the 1999 [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/john-leguizamo |title=John Leguizamo |website=emmys.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref> This was a historic win, making Leguizamo the first ever Latino to win this award in Emmy history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=15 History-Making Latinos at the Emmys |url=https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/television/info-2024/emmy-awards-latino-winners-nominees-history.html |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=AARP |language=english}}</ref> He received further [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations for the [[Paramount Network|Paramount]] miniseries ''[[Waco (miniseries)|Waco]]'' (2018) and the [[Netflix]] limited series ''[[When They See Us]]'' (2019). He has also appeared on ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'', ''[[The Kill Point]]'', ''[[Bloodline (TV series)|Bloodline]]'', and ''[[The Mandalorian]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bloodline Season 2: John Leguizamo Nabs 'Violent' Series-Regular Role |url=https://tvline.com/2015/08/20/john-leguizamo-bloodline-cast-season-2-netflix/ |work=TVLine |date=August 20, 2015 |access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> In 2023, he hosted the [[MSNBC]] series ''Leguizamo Does America''.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|website=[[NBC News]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal]]|title='Leguizamo Does America' takes viewers on a road trip, Latino style|first1=Raul A.|last1=Reyes|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/leguizamo-america-road-trip-latino-style-new-series-rcna79167|date=April 13, 2023|accessdate=April 14, 2023}}</ref>
==Early life==
Leguizamo was born in Bogota, Colombia , to Alberto and Luz Leguizamo. Leguizamo's father was once an aspiring film director and studied at [[Cinecittà]], but eventually dropped out due to lack of finances.<ref>Leguizamo, p. 9</ref>


==Early life and education==
According to Leguizamo, his paternal grandfather was of [[Puerto Ricans|Puerto Rican]] and [[Italy|Italian]] descent,<ref>{{Cite book| last = Leguizamo| first = John| title = Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, And All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life| publisher = [[HarperCollins|Ecco]]| location = New York| year = 2006| page = 8| isbn = 0-06-052071-X}}</ref> and his maternal grandmother was [[Lebanon|Lebanese]].<ref>Leguizamo, p. 11</ref> Leguizamo has also described himself as being of [[Amerindian]]/[[Mestizo]] heritage.<ref name="wp"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F00E1DB1F3AF93BA35751C0A96E958260&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title=THEATER; In Town, on the Edge: Listening In on Solo Acts|date=1998-02-08|author=Leguizamo, John|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|accessdate=2008-11-21}}</ref>
Leguizamo was born in [[Bogotá, Colombia]], the son of Luz Marina Peláez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo.<ref name=fdr1/> His father was once an aspiring film director and studied at [[Cinecittà]] in Rome, Italy, but eventually dropped out due to lack of finances.<ref>Leguizamo, p. 9</ref>


On June 10, 2011, Leguizamo's father Alberto declared in an interview published in a New York Hispanic newspaper, ''El Diario'', that he is Colombian and not Puerto Rican, and therefore his son John was not half Puerto Rican as he has always stated.<ref name="FN"/> Leguizamo had always declared that he was Puerto Rican on his father's side, which was one of the reasons he was selected as the [[Puerto Rican Day Parade]] Global Ambassador of the Arts. In response to his father's allegations, Leguizamo stated that his grandfather was of Puerto Rican descent.<ref name="FN">{{cite news|last=Gratereaux|first=Alexandra|title=Leguizamo’s Dad: John's Not Puerto Rican!|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2011/06/10/leguizamos-dad-johns-not-puerto-rican/|work=[[Fox News Latino]]|accessdate=2011-09-08|date=2011-10-06}}</ref> A spokesman for the National Puerto Rican Day Parade has stated that Leguizamo would not be stripped of his ambassadorship. Leguizamo marched in the parade on June 12, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Huge crowd for Puerto Rican parade|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8184052|work=[[Eyewitness News]]|publisher=[[WABC-TV]]|date=2011-06-13}}</ref>
John has Indigenous Colombian ([[Muisca]]), European (especially Iberian), and some African ancestry.<ref name=fdr1/> His paternal grandfather was a wealthy Colombian landowner, and his great-great-grandfather, [[:es:Higinio Cualla|Higinio Cualla]], was Mayor of Bogotá for sixteen years in the late 1800s, and was considered an important modernizer of the city.<ref name=fdr1/> Before this discovery, Leguizamo had claimed that he was Puerto Rican on his father's side, which was one of the reasons he was selected as the [[Puerto Rican Day Parade]] Global Ambassador of the Arts,<ref name="FN">{{cite news|last=Gratereaux|first=Alexandra|title=Leguizamo's Dad: John's Not Puerto Rican!|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/leguizamos-dad-johns-not-puerto-rican|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=January 1, 2022|date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824005559/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2011/06/10/leguizamos-dad-johns-not-puerto-rican/|archive-date=August 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and marched in the parade on June 12, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Huge crowd for Puerto Rican parade|url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/8184052/|work=[[Eyewitness News]]|publisher=[[WABC-TV]]|date=June 13, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613073201/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Fnew_york&id=8184052|archive-date=June 13, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> It was determined that Leguizamo's maternal lineage includes the 16th-century Spanish conquistador [[Sebastián de Belalcázar]], as well as Jerónimo Betuma, a 17th-century [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|indigenous Colombian]] of noble birth.


When Leguizamo was 3 years old,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/john-leguizamo-plans-emmy-speech-i-m-immigrant-i-bring-n1054176|title=John Leguizamo plans Emmy speech: 'I'm an immigrant and I bring great positivity'|agency=Associated Press|website=www.nbcnews.com|date=September 13, 2019 }}</ref> his family emigrated to New York City,<ref>Leguizamo, p. 12</ref> where they lived in various neighborhoods in [[Queens]], including [[Jackson Heights, Queens|Jackson Heights]].<ref name="wp">{{cite news|last=Zook|first=Kristal Brent|title=Comedy That Hits Close to Home|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/07/19/comedy-that-hits-close-to-home/a9d86e5b-f3ab-4be1-8b6b-5b09a27fa0f2/|date=July 19, 2001|access-date=October 18, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|quote=Born in Bogota, Colombia, to a Puerto Rican father and a Colombian mother of Indian ancestry, Leguizamo was raised in the multiethnic Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens.}}</ref><ref>Leguizamo, p. 16</ref> He later credited growing up as one of the first Latino children in the neighborhood as formative in his acting ability: "It was tough. There were lots of fights. I would walk through a park and be attacked, and I had to defend myself all the time. But this helped me to become funny so that I wouldn't get hit." His parents divorced when he was 13 and lived with his mother growing up.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Leguizamo: One-Man Firebrand {{!}} Psychology Today |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200503/john-leguizamo-one-man-firebrand |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=www.psychologytoday.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zook |first=Kristal Brent |date=July 19, 2001 |title=Comedy That Hits Close to Home |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/07/19/comedy-that-hits-close-to-home/a9d86e5b-f3ab-4be1-8b6b-5b09a27fa0f2/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=One On 1: Actor/Comedian John Leguizamo |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/one-on-1/2016/03/16/one-on-1--actor-comedian-john-leguizamo |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=ny1.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Anita|title=Hay Festival Cartagena: John Leguizamo on Hollywood|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/9043565/Hay-Festival-Cartagena-John-Leguizamo-on-Hollywood.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/9043565/Hay-Festival-Cartagena-John-Leguizamo-on-Hollywood.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=January 31, 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=January 31, 2012|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Leguizamo and his family constantly moved apartments in [[Queens]], attending multiple elementary schools. Leguizamo was arrested twice as a teenager, once for jumping a [[turnstile]] at a [[New York City Subway]] station and another time for truancy. His family later sent him to [[Colombia]] for a year where he stayed with his relatives.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sengupta |first=Somini |date=May 4, 1998 |title=The Stuff of Memories And Manic Wit; A Comic Revisits Queens, the Source Of Material for His Broadway Show |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/04/nyregion/stuff-memories-manic-wit-comic-revisits-queens-source-material-for-his-broadway.html |access-date=November 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
When Leguizamo was four years old, his family immigrated to the United States,<ref>Leguizamo, p. 12</ref> and lived in various neighborhoods in the New York City borough of [[Queens]], including [[Jackson Heights, Queens|Jackson Heights]].<ref name="wp">Zook, Kristal Brent. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/75528398.html?dids=75528398:75528398&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+19%2C+2001&author=Kristal+Brent+Zook&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Comedy+That+Hits+Close+to+Home%3B+Now+a+Father%2C+John+Leguizamo+Looks+Back+Without+Anger&pqatl=google "Comedy That Hits Close to Home; Now a Father, John Leguizamo Looks Back Without Anger"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', July 19, 2001. Accessed June 11, 2009. "Born in Bogota, Colombia, to a Puerto Rican father and a Colombian mother of Indian ancestry, [John Leguizamo] was raised in the multiethnic Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens."</ref><ref>Leguizamo, p. 16</ref>


He later credited growing up as one of the first Latino children in his Jackson Heights neighborhood as formative in his acting ability: "It was tough. There were lots of fights. I would walk through a park and be attacked, and I had to defend myself all the time. But this helped me to become funny so that I wouldn’t get hit."<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Anita|title=Hay Festival Cartagena: John Leguizamo on Hollywood|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/9043565/Hay-Festival-Cartagena-John-Leguizamo-on-Hollywood.html|accessdate=January 31, 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=January 31, 2012|location=London}}</ref> Leguizamo attended the [[Joseph Pulitzer Middle School]] (I.S.145) and later the [[Murry Bergtraum High School]]. As a student at Murry Bergtraum, Leguizamo wrote comedy material and tested it out on his classmates. He was voted "Most Talkative" by his classmates. After graduating from high school, he began his theater career as an undergraduate at NYU's [[Tisch School of the Arts]], from which he eventually dropped out in favor of a career in stand-up comedy. Post NYU, Leguizamo enrolled at [[Long Island University C.W. Post Campus]], where he took theater classes.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}
Leguizamo attended [[Joseph Pulitzer Middle School]] (I.S.145) and later [[Murry Bergtraum High School]]. As a student at Murry Bergtraum, he wrote comedy material and tested it on his classmates. He was voted "Most Talkative" by his classmates. After graduating from high school, he began his theater career as an undergraduate at NYU's [[Tisch School of the Arts]], from which he eventually dropped out in favor of a career in stand-up comedy. Post-NYU, Leguizamo enrolled at [[LIU Post]] and at [[HB Studio]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hbstudio.org/about-hb-studio/alumni/|title=HB Studio - Notable Alumni &#124; One of the Original Acting Studios in NYC}}</ref> where he took theater classes.


==Career==
==Career==


===Early career===
===Early career===
[[File:JohnLeguizamo.JPG|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Leguizamo signing playbills in 2008]]
Leguizamo started out as a stand-up comic doing the New York nightclub circuit in 1984. He made his television debut in 1986 with a small part in ''[[Miami Vice]]''. His other early roles include: an extra in Madonna's ''[[Borderline (song)|Borderline]]'' video (1984) playing a friend of [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s boyfriend; ''Mixed Blood'' (1985); ''[[Casualties of War (film)|Casualties of War]]'' (1989); a terrorist in ''[[Die Hard 2]]'' (1990); ''[[Hangin' with the Homeboys]]'' (1991); the robber in ''[[Regarding Henry]]'' (1991) and ''[[Night Owl (film)|Night Owl]]'' (a.k.a. ''Nite Owl'') (1993).


Leguizamo started out as a stand-up comic doing the New York nightclub circuit in 1984, and in 1988, he performed at [[The Public Theater]] in two shows, including as Puck in ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' in which he appeared with [[Fisher Stevens]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Actor John Leguizamo Plays Not My Job | website=NPR | date=February 18, 2011 | url=https://www.npr.org/2011/02/19/133871822/actor-john-leguizamo-plays-not-my-job | access-date=May 16, 2023}}</ref> He made his television debut in 1986 with a small part in ''[[Miami Vice]]''. His other early roles include: a friend of [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s boyfriend in her "[[Borderline (Madonna song)|Borderline]]" video (1984); ''[[Mixed Blood (1985 film)|Mixed Blood]]'' (1985), ''[[Casualties of War (film)|Casualties of War]]'' (1989). In the 1990s he played a terrorist in ''[[Die Hard 2]]'' (1990), ''[[Hangin' with the Homeboys]]'' (1991), the robber in ''[[Regarding Henry]]'' (1991), ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1993), and ''[[Night Owl (film)|Night Owl]]'' (1993). In 1991, Leguizamo also wrote and performed in the [[Off-Broadway]] production ''Mambo Mouth'', where he played seven different characters. ''Mambo Mouth'' won an [[Obie Award]] and an Outer Critics Award. He was listed as one of 12 "Promising New Actors of 1991" in "John Willis' Screen Worlds Vol. 43".
===Film===
[[File:John Leguizamo 2 by David Shankbone.jpg|upright|thumb|Leguizamo at the 2010 [[Tribeca Film Festival]]]]


In 1992, he starred in ''[[Whispers in the Dark (film)|Whispers in the Dark]]'' as John Castillo. In 1993 Leguizamo was offered the lead part as [[Luigi]] in the film ''[[Super Mario Bros (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'', based on the [[Mario]] video game franchise. Despite being considered a critical and financial failure universally, the film started his acting career in Hollywood and became one of his memorable roles. It also provided a boost to his career, allowing him to appear in better comedic roles in the following years. That same year, he had a prominent role in [[Brian De Palma]]'s ''[[Carlito's Way]]'' as Carlito Brigante's nemesis, "Benny Blanco from the Bronx," which also boosted his career in serious roles.
In 1992, he starred in ''[[Whispers in the Dark (film)|Whispers in the Dark]]'' as John Castillo. In 1993 Leguizamo portrayed [[Luigi]] in the film ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'', based on the [[Mario]] video game franchise. Despite being considered a critical and financial failure universally, the film was considered to be his [[breakthrough role]], allowing him to appear in better comedic roles in the following years. That same year, he had a prominent role in [[Brian De Palma]]'s ''[[Carlito's Way]]'' as Carlito Brigante's nemesis, "Benny Blanco from the Bronx," which also boosted his career in serious roles. In 1993, Leguizamo wrote and performed in ''Spic-O-Rama'', where he made fun of the stereotyping of Latinos in the United States. The production won a [[Drama Desk Award]] and four [[Cable ACE Award]]s. Both ''Mambo Mouth'' and ''Spic-O-Rama'' were later filmed for presentation on [[HBO]].


Leguizamo also starred in ''[[Romeo + Juliet]]'' as [[Tybalt]] Capulet, as [[Violator (comics)|Violator]] in ''[[Spawn (film)|Spawn]]'', Cholo in ''[[Land of the Dead]]'', and Pestario 'Pest' Vargas in ''[[The Pest (1997 film)|The Pest]]'', the latter being one of his few roles as a lead actor in a studio film. In 1995, he starred as drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]'' for which he received a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and starred in the 1996 action film ''[[Executive Decision]]'' as Captain Rat. In 2002, he starred in the movie ''[[Empire (2002 film)|Empire]]''.
In 1995, Leguizamo created, produced, wrote, and starred in the 1995 Latino-oriented variety show called ''[[House of Buggin']]'' on [[Fox Television]]. Some audiences saw this as the Latino version of ''[[In Living Color]]''. The show showcased Leguizamo's well-known ability to assume a wide variety of colorful, energetic characters, but due to poor ratings the show ran less than one season. Leguizamo also starred in ''[[Romeo + Juliet]]'' (1996) as [[Tybalt|Tybalt Capulet]], as [[Violator (comics)|Violator]] in ''[[Spawn (1997 film)|Spawn]]'', Cholo in ''[[Land of the Dead]]'', and Pestario 'Pest' Vargas in ''[[The Pest (1997 film)|The Pest]]'', the latter being one of his few roles as a lead actor in a studio film. In 1995, he starred as drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]'' for which he received a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and starred in the 1996 action film ''[[Executive Decision]]'' as Captain Rat. In 1998, he debuted on Broadway in the production of ''[[John Leguizamo: Freak|Freak]]'', a semi-autobiographical one-person play that [[Freak (film)|was filmed for HBO]] and released on October 10, 1998, with [[Spike Lee]] sitting in as director. The show won him the [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show]] and the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]].
In 1999, he starred in the lead role of Vinny in [[Summer of Sam]] which was written and directed by Spike Lee.
To promote the 2001 movie ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'', he appeared on a celebrity edition of the US version of ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (U.S. game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' with [[Kelly Ripa]], [[Kevin Sorbo]], [[Alfre Woodard]], [[Martin Short]] and [[Chevy Chase]]. Appearing as the first celebrity to sit in the hot seat, he eventually tried for $125,000, but got the answer wrong. Later in 2002, on the syndicated version, a question about the movie featured his character and [[Meredith Vieira]] mentioned that Leguizamo had played Lautrec and had been on the show.


===2000–2009===
In 2002 he voiced [[Sid (Ice Age)|Sid the Sloth]] for the film ''[[Ice Age (2002 film)|Ice Age]]'', reprising the role for the sequels ''[[Ice Age: The Meltdown]]'', ''[[Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs]]'', ''[[Ice Age: Continental Drift]]'' and ''[[Ice Age: Collision Course]]''. The game versions of the films also used his voice. In 2003, he voice-acted [[Globox]] from ''[[Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]''. Leguizamo portrayed Paul in the [[Brad Anderson (director)|Brad Anderson]] thriller film ''[[Vanishing on 7th Street]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37581/first-images-brad-andersons-the-vanishing-7th-street|title=First Images: Brad Anderson's The Vanishing on 7th Street|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref>
[[File:John Leguizamo (4701169051).jpg|thumb|right|180px|Leguizamo at the 2007 [[Toronto International Film Festival]]]]
In 2007 he played Michael Beltran in the movie ''[[The Babysitters]]''. In 2008 he co-starred in the movie ''[[The Happening (2008 film)|The Happening]]'', written and directed by [[M. Night Shyamalan]].<ref name="Playbill happening">{{cite web|last1=Gans|first1=Andrew|title="The Happening," with Wahlberg, Leguizamo and Buckley, Opens Wide June 13|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/the-happening-with-wahlberg-leguizamo-and-buckley-opens-wide-june-13-150842|website=Playbill|publisher=Playbill|accessdate=5 January 2016}}</ref>
In 2014 Leguizamo starred alongside [[Jon Favreau]] in [[Chef (film)|Chef]]


In 2000, Leguizamo portrayed both [[Genie]]s in ''[[Arabian Nights (TV miniseries)|Arabian Nights]]'', a TV mini-series adaptation of the epic ''[[One Thousand and One Nights]]''. In 2001, RCA/BMG Records released ''John Leguizamo LIVE'', a CD compilation of Leguizamo's stage routines. Among the bits are a primer Leguizamo gives on the history and culture of Latinos in America, which with the dubious tale of the mating of an Inca princess with a Spanish conquistador, thus creating the original dysfunctional Latin family, each member of which is voiced by Leguizamo. The CD also includes a musical intermission, with two salsa/hip-hop tunes, "The Night Before Christmas" and "Gotta Get Some", and footage from Leguizamo's tours and two interactive games, "Spanish Fly Pick-Up Line".
In October 2013, Leguizamo started filming for ''[[A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island]]'', starring alongside [[Frank Grillo]], [[AnnaSophia Robb]], [[Dianna Agron]], [[Ed Westwick]], [[Minnie Driver]], [[Mary McCormack]], [[Christopher McDonald]] and [[Maggie Q]].<ref name="ACOJI">{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2013/film/news/frank-grillo-jekyll-island-minnie-driver-1200775773/|title=‘The Butler’ Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)|author=Justin Kroll|work=Variety}}</ref> The film is directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, [[Atit Shah]] and Aaron Becker. ''Jekyll Island'' is set to release in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/2013/film/news/frank-grillo-jekyll-island-minnie-driver-1200775773/|title='The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Justin|last=Kroll|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|accessdate=1 March 2015}}</ref>


To promote the 2001 movie ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'', he appeared on a celebrity edition of the US version of ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (U.S. game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' with [[Kelly Ripa]], [[Kevin Sorbo]], [[Alfre Woodard]], [[Martin Short]] and [[Chevy Chase]]. Appearing as the first celebrity to sit in the hot seat, he eventually tried for $125,000, but got the answer wrong. In 2002, he starred in the movie ''[[Empire (2002 film)|Empire]]''. That same year he wrote and performed in ''Sexaholix... A Love Story'', which explained his love life and how he started his own family. Later in 2002, on the syndicated version, a question about the movie featured his character and [[Meredith Vieira]] mentioned that Leguizamo had played Lautrec and had been on the show. In 2002, he voiced [[Sid (Ice Age)|Sid the Sloth]] for the film ''[[Ice Age (2002 film)|Ice Age]]'', reprising the role for the sequels ''[[Ice Age: The Meltdown]]'', ''[[Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs]]'', ''[[Ice Age: Continental Drift]]'' and ''[[Ice Age: Collision Course]]''. The game versions of the films also used his voice. In 2003, he voice-acted [[Globox]] from ''[[Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]''. Leguizamo portrayed Paul in the [[Brad Anderson (director)|Brad Anderson]] thriller film ''[[Vanishing on 7th Street]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37581/first-images-brad-andersons-the-vanishing-7th-street|title=First Images: Brad Anderson's The Vanishing on 7th Street|date=September 18, 2012|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref>
===Television===
In 1995 Leguizamo created, produced, wrote, and starred in the 1995 Latino-oriented variety show called ''[[House of Buggin']]'' on [[Fox Television]]. Some audiences saw this as the Latino version of ''[[In Living Color]]''. The show showcased Leguizamo's well-known ability to assume a wide variety of colorful, energetic characters, but due to poor ratings the show ran less than one season.


[[File:John Leguizamo 2 by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Leguizamo at the 2010 [[Tribeca Film Festival]]]]
In 2000, Leguizamo portrayed both [[Genie]]s in ''[[Arabian Nights (TV miniseries)|Arabian Nights]]'', a TV mini-series adaptation of the epic ''[[One Thousand and One Nights]]''.


During the 2005–06 television season, Leguizamo joined the cast of the show ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'', playing the emotionally disturbed Dr. [[Victor Clemente]], a new attending who is keen on introducing the staff of County General to better ways of treating patients and cutting-edge technology. Clemente, however, was plagued with personal problems and was fired from the hospital near the end of the season. Dr. Clemente's departure from the show was a blessing for Leguizamo. He revealed to [[CraveOnline]] that he was not happy working on the television program. "I was depressed doing ''ER''," he admitted, "I started gaining weight, I was eating donuts, I started smoking again. I’m eating McDonald's, things that I know when I’m depressed I do. I tried to kill myself internally."<ref>{{cite web|last=Bibbiani |first=William |url=http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648255/kill_point_john_leguizamo.html |title=Kill Point: John Leguizamo |publisher=Craveonline.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-08}}</ref>
In 2004, he guest-starred on ''[[Dora the Explorer (TV series)|Dora the Explorer]]'' as Captain Pirate Piggy. During the 2005–06 television season, Leguizamo joined the cast of the show ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'', playing the emotionally disturbed Dr. [[Victor Clemente]], a new attending who is keen on introducing the staff of County General to better ways of treating patients and cutting-edge technology. Clemente, however, was plagued with personal problems and was fired from the hospital near the end of the season. Dr. Clemente's departure from the show was a blessing for Leguizamo. He revealed to [[CraveOnline]] that he was not happy working on the television program. "I was depressed doing ''ER''," he admitted, "I started gaining weight, I was eating doughnuts, I started smoking again. I'm eating McDonald's, things that I know when I'm depressed I do. I tried to kill myself internally."<ref>{{cite web |last=Bibbiani |first=William |url=http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648255/kill_point_john_leguizamo.html |title=Kill Point: John Leguizamo |publisher=Craveonline.com |access-date=October 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024081904/http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648255/kill_point_john_leguizamo.html |archive-date=October 24, 2007 }}</ref>


In 2005, he guest starred on ''[[Dora the Explorer]]'' as Captain Pirate Piggy. In 2006, Leguizamo starred in the television pilot for ''Edison,'' a 2006 [[CBS]] drama about an Los Angeles [[detective]] (played by Leguizamo) who relied on impersonations and disguises to solve crimes. Other cast members included [[Currie Graham]] and Deidrie Henry. [[Kevin Rodney Sullivan]] directed from a script by Ron Milbauer and Terri Hughes. Leguizamo and [[David Hoberman]] also served as executive producers.
In 2006, Leguizamo starred in the television pilot for ''Edison,'' a 2006 [[CBS]] drama about a Los Angeles detective (played by Leguizamo) who relied on impersonations and disguises to solve crimes. Other cast members included [[Currie Graham]] and Deidrie Henry. [[Kevin Rodney Sullivan]] directed from a script by Ron Milbauer and Terri Hughes. Leguizamo and [[David Hoberman]] also served as executive producers. In October 2006, Leguizamo's memoir, ''Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life'', was released. During an interview on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', he stated that his memoir was very candid about experiences involving other celebrities he had worked with. He stated that working with [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] on ''[[Collateral Damage (2002 film)|Collateral Damage]]'' (2002) was one of the most enjoyable experiences he'd had as an actor, that Schwarzenegger's accent let him say things that others would think were [[sexist]] or [[homophobic]] if said by someone else, and that [[Steven Seagal]] was an egotist with [[diva]] tendencies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/10/john-leguizamo-trashes-everyone-hes-ever-worked-with/ |title=Fresh Intelligence : Radar Online : John Leguizamo Trashes Everyone He's Ever Worked With |publisher=Radar Online |date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2011}}</ref>


In July 2007, [[Spike TV]] aired their drama series ''[[The Kill Point]]'', starring Leguizamo, [[Donnie Wahlberg]] and [[Michael Hyatt]]. The show was an eight-part series revolving around ex-war veterans whose bank robbery went wrong, thus ending in a hostage situation. Despite high ratings, ''The Kill Point'' was not renewed for a second season.
In 2007, he played Michael Beltran in the movie ''[[The Babysitters]]''. In 2008, he co-starred in the movie ''[[The Happening (2008 film)|The Happening]]'', written and directed by [[M. Night Shyamalan]].<ref name="Playbill happening">{{cite web|last1=Gans|first1=Andrew|title="The Happening," with Wahlberg, Leguizamo and Buckley, Opens Wide June 13|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/the-happening-with-wahlberg-leguizamo-and-buckley-opens-wide-june-13-com-150842|work=Playbill|access-date=January 1, 2022}}</ref> In July 2007, [[Spike TV]] aired its drama series ''[[The Kill Point]]'', which starred Leguizamo, [[Donnie Wahlberg]], and [[Michael Hyatt]]. The show was an eight-part series revolving around ex-war veterans whose bank robbery went wrong, thus ending in a hostage situation. Despite high ratings, ''The Kill Point'' was not renewed for a second season. A year later, Leguizamo guest-starred on ''[[Sesame Street]]'' as Captain Vegetable, who tells Elmo to eat his vegetables.


===2010–2016===
In 2010, Leguizamo also guest starred on ''[[The Electric Company (2009 TV series)|The Electric Company]]'' as himself, rhyming about commas and quotation marks.
[[File:Natalie Merchant coming to Chicago Theatre (14903575283).jpg|thumb|right|160px|Leguizamo at the Chicago Theatre in 2014]]


In 2010, Leguizamo also guest-starred on ''[[The Electric Company (2009 TV series)|The Electric Company]]'' as himself, rhyming about commas and quotation marks. In June 2010, Leguizamo opened his semi-autobiographical one-man theater show, ''Klass Klown'' (later renamed ''Ghetto Klown''), based on his memoir ''Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life''. After the show ran at various theaters in the United States and Leguizamo performed an "unplugged" version of it under the title ''John Leguizamo Warms Up'' at a Chicago theater, it opened on Broadway in March 2011 at the [[Lyceum Theatre (Broadway)|Lyceum Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hurwitt|first=Robert|title=John Leguizamo goes deeper, darker in 'Klown'|url=http://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/John-Leguizamo-goes-deeper-darker-in-Klown-3262990.php|access-date=July 13, 2012|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=June 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Isherwood|first=Charles|title=A Queens Guy Toughs It Out in Hollywood|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/theater/reviews/john-leguizamos-new-solo-show-ghetto-klown-review.html|access-date=July 13, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/0910/4880.asp |title=John Leguizamo: Klass Klown |publisher=Berkeleyrep.org |access-date=October 8, 2011 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927184650/http://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/0910/4880.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/John_Leguizamo_to_Play_Lyceum_Theatre_on_Broadway_Starting_Feb_21_20101229|title=John Leguizamo to Play Lyceum Theatre on Broadway Starting Feb. 21|publisher=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> The show, about Leguizamo's path from obscurity to stardom, opened to many positive reviews and was extended through July 10, 2011. A CD of the show was released. In 2011, Leguizamo received the [[Outer Critics Circle Award]] for Outstanding Solo Performance<ref>{{cite news|title=John Leguizamo honored for one-man play "Ghetto Klown"|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2011/05/17/john-leguizamo-honored-man-play-ghetto-klown/|work=Fox News Latino|access-date=August 8, 2011|date=May 17, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724061950/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2011/05/17/john-leguizamo-honored-man-play-ghetto-klown/|archive-date=July 24, 2011}}</ref> and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance for his performance in the show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/drama-desk-awards-go-to-book-of-mormon-normal-heart-war-horse-sutton-foster-norbert-leo-butz-com-177744 |title=Drama Desk Awards Go to Book of Mormon, Normal Heart, War Horse, Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz |work=Playbill |access-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629120949/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/151111-Drama-Desk-Awards-Go-to-Book-of-Mormon-Normal-Heart-War-Horse-Sutton-Foster-Norbert-Leo-Butz |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref> In September 2011, Leguizamo began an international tour of ''Ghetto Klown'' in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wada|first=Karen|title=John Leguizamo and 'Ghetto Klown' coming to the Ricardo Montalban Theatre|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/07/john-leguizamos-ghetto-klown-is-coming-to-the-ricardo-montalban-theatre.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 8, 2011}}</ref> On July 13, 2012, [[PBS]] debuted ''Tales From a Ghetto Klown,'' a documentary about Leguizamo's life and the show's development. On November 16, 2013, John taped ''Ghetto Klown'' at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ for HBO.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aucoin|first=Don|title=In 'Tales From a Ghetto Klown,' Broadway minus the glitz|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/2012/07/13/john-leguizamo-restless-introspection-drives-tales-from-ghetto-klown/INZkN3xT0ndhzofi8Y9guM/story.html|newspaper=Boston.com (The Boston Globe)|date=July 12, 2012}}</ref>
In 2012, Leguizamo was cast as Derek Trotter in the American remake of the British BBC sitcom, ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''.


In 2012, Leguizamo was cast as Derek Trotter in the American remake of the British BBC sitcom ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''. In October 2013, Leguizamo started filming for ''[[A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island|The Crash]]'', starring alongside [[Frank Grillo]], [[AnnaSophia Robb]], [[Dianna Agron]], [[Ed Westwick]], [[Minnie Driver]], [[Mary McCormack]], [[Christopher McDonald]] and [[Maggie Q]].<ref name="ACOJI">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/frank-grillo-jekyll-island-minnie-driver-1200775773/|title='The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)|author=Justin Kroll|work=Variety|date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> The film is directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, Atit Shah and Aaron Becker. In 2014 Leguizamo starred alongside [[Jon Favreau]] in ''[[Chef (2014 film)|Chef]]'' as the line cook Martin, a role he prepared for by working as an actual line cook at ''The Lion'' in the [[West Village]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/05/chef-cast-on-cooking.html |title=How Much Did the Chef Cast Actually Learn About Cooking While Making the Movie? |last=Van Syckle |first=Katie |work=Grubstreet |date=May 7, 2014 |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref> Also in 2014, he played a drug dealer in the action comedy film ''[[American Ultra]]'' alongside [[Jesse Eisenberg]] and [[Kristen Stewart]]. He also starred in ''[[John Wick (film)|John Wick]]'' as Aurelio in 2014. ''The Crash'' was released on January 13, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/2013/film/news/frank-grillo-jekyll-island-minnie-driver-1200775773/|title='The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Justin|last=Kroll|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 29, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref>
In 2016, he played the role Ozzy Delvecchio in the second season of the [[Netflix]] original series, ''[[Bloodline (TV series)|Bloodline]]''.


In 2015, Abrams ComicArts published the [[graphic novel]] adaptation of Leguizamo's one-man Broadway show, ''Ghetto Klown''. As with the live show, the graphic novel explores the actor/comedian's life and career, beginning with his adolescence in [[Queens]], New York, his involvement in 1980s ''[[avant-garde]]'' theater, his feature film career, and some of the colorful characters he encountered throughout his life. Leguizamo describes the work: <blockquote>"''Ghetto Klown'' is the history that I probably never should have told anyone but my therapist, but it's a real lesson that even if you suffer a certain amount (a lot) of self-doubt and anxiety, you can still accomplish great things. It's a lesson I'm really excited to impart to a whole new audience."</blockquote> The comic is illustrated by Christa Cassano.<ref>Parkin, JK (January 1, 2015). [http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2015/01/exclusive-preview-john-leguizamos-ghetto-klown/ "Exclusive preview: John Leguizamo's 'Ghetto Klown'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908065612/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2015/01/exclusive-preview-john-leguizamos-ghetto-klown/ |date=September 8, 2015 }}. [[Comic Book Resources]].</ref> In 2016, Leguizamo played the role of Ozzy Delvecchio in the second season of the [[Netflix]] original series ''[[Bloodline (TV series)|Bloodline]]''. Also in 2016, he produced the Q Brothers' ''Othello: The Remix'' at off-Broadway's Westside Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Leguizamo Brings The Q Brothers' OTHELLO: THE REMIX Off-Broadway Tonight |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/John-Leguizamo-to-Bring-The-Q-Brothers-OTHELLO-THE-REMIX-Off-Broadway-This-Fall-20161024 |website=Broadway World |access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref>
===Broadway and theater===
In 1991, he also wrote and took part in the [[Off-Broadway]] production Mambo Mouth, where he played seven different characters. ''Mambo Mouth'' won an [[Obie Award]] and an Outer Critics Award. He was listed as one of 12 "Promising New Actors of 1991" in "John Willis' Screen Worlds Vol. 43".


===2017–present===
In 1993, Leguizamo wrote and participated in Spic-O-Rama, where he made fun of the stereotyping of Latinos in the United States. The production won a [[Drama Desk Award]] and four [[Cable ACE Award]]s. Both ''Mambo Mouth'' and ''Spic-O-Rama'' were later filmed for presentation on [[HBO]].
[[File:John Leguizamo 2013 Comic-Con.jpg|thumb|left|Leguizamo in 2013]]


In 2017, Leguizamo sang on "[[Almost Like Praying]]", a charitable song written and composed by [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]]. Proceeds from the song went to the [[Hispanic Federation]] to assist relief efforts for those in Puerto Rico who were affected by [[Hurricane Maria]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2017/10/06/lin-manuel-miranda-releases-star-studded-almost-like-praying-song-for-puerto-rico-hurricane-relief/|title=Lin-Manuel Miranda Releases Star-Studded 'Almost Like Praying' Song For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief|last=Villafañe|first=Veronica|work=Forbes|access-date=October 10, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Also in 2017, he debuted ''Latin History for Morons'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://latinhistorybroadway.com/ |title=John Leguizamo's LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS |access-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114005223/https://latinhistorybroadway.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> a show about the participation of Latin Americans throughout US history. The show premiered at the [[Public Theater]] before moving to [[Studio 54]]. ''Latin History for Morons'' was nominated for the 2018 [[Tony Award for Best Play]].<ref>[http://www.playbill.com/article/2018-tony-award-nominations-spongebob-squarepants-and-mean-girls-lead-the-pack "2018 Tony Award Nominations: 'SpongeBob SquarePants' and 'Mean Girls' Lead the Pack"] Playbill, May 1, 2018</ref> That year, he also was presented with a [[Special Tony Award]] for his body of work and for his commitment to bringing diverse stories and audiences to Broadway for three decades.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=John Leguizamo to Receive Special Tony Award |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/192024/john-leguizamo-to-receive-special-tony-award/ |work=Broadway Buzz |location=NYC |date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref> In January 2018, Leguizamo was announced as the host of the 63rd [[Obie Awards]] held in May 2018 at [[Terminal 5 (venue)|Terminal 5]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/john-leguizamo-will-host-the-2018-obie-awards|title=John Leguizamo will Host the 2018 Obie Awards|last=McPhee|first=Ryan|publisher=Playbill|date=January 17, 2018}}</ref>
In 1998, he debuted on Broadway in the production of ''[[Freak (film)|Freak]]'', a semi-autobiographical one-person play that was recorded for HBO and released on October 10, 1998, with [[Spike Lee]] sitting in as director. The show won him the [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show]].


In 2018, Leguizamo played undercover ATF agent Jacob Vazquez in the [[Paramount Network]] miniseries ''[[Waco (miniseries)|Waco]]''. The following year, Leguizamo played Raymond Santana's father Raymond Santana Sr. in the Netflix miniseries ''[[When They See Us]]''. Leguizamo wrote the original musical ''Kiss My Aztec'', with book by Leguizamo and director [[Tony Taccone]], music by [[Benjamin Velez]], and lyrics by Velez, Leguizamo, and David Kamp. It was developed at the [[Public Theater]] in 2018 and premiered at [[Berkeley Repertory Theater]] and [[La Jolla Playhouse]] in 2019, where it received critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/theater/review-berkeley-reps-kiss-my-aztec-brings-past-to-present-and-future|title=Review: Berkeley Rep's 'Kiss My Aztec!' brings past to present and future|date=June 7, 2019|work=Datebook}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/kiss-my-aztec-turns-the-historical-hysterical/|title='Kiss My Aztec' turns the historical hysterical|date=June 7, 2019|work=[[San Francisco Examiner]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/amp/c.php?url=BWW-Review-KISS-MY-AZTEC-at-Berkeley-Repertory-Theatre-is-a-Hilarious-Socially-Hip-Historical-Romp-Through-the-Aztec-Empire-20190618|title=BWW Review: KISS MY AZTEC! at Berkeley Repertory Theatre is a Hilarious, Socially Hip Historical Romp Through the Aztec Empire|date=June 18, 2019|work=[[Broadway World]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/theater/story/2019-09-09/john-leguizamos-kiss-my-aztec-a-messy-but-entertaining-musical-ode-to-some-twisted-history|title=Review: John Leguizamo's 'Kiss My Aztec!' a splashy and entertaining musical ode that puts a twist on history|date=September 9, 2019|work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2019/09/10/la-jolla-playhouses-kiss-my-aztec-takes-a-wildly-satirical-look-at-colonial-history/|title=La Jolla Playhouse's 'Kiss My Aztec!' Takes a Wildly Satirical Look at Colonial History|date=September 10, 2019|work=[[Times of San Diego]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-What-Did-Critics-Think-of-KISS-MY-AZTEC-at-La-Jolla-Playhouse-20190912|title=Review Roundup: What Did Critics Think of KISS MY AZTEC! at La Jolla Playhouse?|date=September 12, 2019|work=[[Broadway World]]}}</ref> Leguizamo also received [[Smithsonian Magazine]]'s 2018 American Ingenuity Award in the History category.<ref>{{cite web |title=2018 American Ingenuity Award Winners |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/ingenuity/ceremonies/2018-winners/ |website=Smithsonian Magazine |publisher=Smithsonian |access-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212013917/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/ingenuity/ceremonies/2018-winners/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2002, he wrote and performed in Sexaholix... A Love Story which explained his love life and how he started his own family.


In 2020, Leguizamo played Gor Koresh in season 2, episode 1 of the [[Disney+]] series ''[[The Mandalorian]]''. In 2021, he played Estragon opposite [[Ethan Hawke]] as Vladimir in ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'' and [[Wallace Shawn]] with The New Group Off Stage as a video performance during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Waiting for Godot |url=https://thenewgroup.org/production/waitingforgodot/ |website=The New Group |access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref> In 2021, Leguizamo provided the voice of [[Bruno Madrigal]] in the [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]] animated film ''[[Encanto]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/scene/news/john-leguizamo-on-why-encanto-is-so-important-1235105235/|title='Encanto' Star John Leguizamo on Why the Film Is So Important: 'I Never Thought I'd See This In My Lifetime'|first=Katie|last=Song|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 5, 2021|accessdate=January 7, 2022}}</ref> which received the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature]]. In 2022 he acted in the critically acclaimed [[Mark Mylod]]-directed comedy-horror film ''[[The Menu (2022 film)|The Menu]]'' alongside [[Anya Taylor-Joy]] and [[Ralph Fiennes]], where he played a washed-up movie star attending an exclusive restaurant with his assistant played by [[Aimee Carrero]]. Leguizamo based his character on [[Steven Seagal]], with whom he co-starred in ''Executive Decision''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2022/11/john-leguizamo-based-the-menu-character-steven-seagal-1235177612/|title= John Leguizamo Based 'The Menu' Character On Steven Seagal: "He's Kind Of A Horrible Human"|website= [[Deadline Hollywood]]|date= November 20, 2022|accessdate= June 25, 2023}}</ref> In 2022, he played Scrooge in the Christmas action comedy ''[[Violent Night]]''.<ref name="Feb22-casting">{{cite magazine |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo Join David Harbour in ''Violent Night'' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-leguizamo-beverly-dangelo-david-harbour-violent-night-exclusive-1235091406/ |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 14, 2022}}</ref>
[[File:9.21.14ComediansAsAuthorsByLuigiNovi3.jpg|thumb|left|From left to right: [[Sara Benincasa]], [[Bob Saget]] and Leguizamo on a "Comedians as Authors" panel at the 2014 [[Brooklyn Book Festival]]]]
In June 2010, Leguizamo opened his semi-autobiographical one-man theater show, ''Klass Klown'' (later renamed ''Ghetto Klown''), based on his memoir ''Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life''. After the show ran at various theaters in the [[United States]] and Leguizamo performed an 'unplugged' version of it under the title ''John Leguizamo Warms Up'' at a [[Chicago]] theater, it opened on Broadway in March 2011 at the [[Lyceum Theatre (Broadway)|Lyceum Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hurwitt|first=Robert|title=John Leguizamo goes deeper, darker in 'Klown'|url=http://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/John-Leguizamo-goes-deeper-darker-in-Klown-3262990.php|accessdate=July 13, 2012|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=June 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Isherwood|first=Charles|title=A Queens Guy Toughs It Out in Hollywood|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/theater/reviews/john-leguizamos-new-solo-show-ghetto-klown-review.html|accessdate=July 13, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/0910/4880.asp |title=John Leguizamo: Klass Klown |publisher=Berkeleyrep.org |date= |accessdate=2011-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/John_Leguizamo_to_Play_Lyceum_Theatre_on_Broadway_Starting_Feb_21_20101229|title=John Leguizamo to Play Lyceum Theatre on Broadway Starting Feb. 21|publisher=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> The show, about Leguizamo's path from obscurity to stardrom, opened to many positive reviews and was extended through July 10, 2011. A CD of the show was released. In 2011, Leguizamo received the [[Outer Critics Circle Award]] for Outstanding Solo Performance<ref>{{cite news|title=John Leguizamo honored for one-man play "Ghetto Klown"|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2011/05/17/john-leguizamo-honored-man-play-ghetto-klown/|work=Fox News Latino|accessdate=8 August 2011|date=17 May 2011}}</ref> and the [[Drama Desk Award]] for Outstanding Solo Performance for his performance in the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/151111-Drama-Desk-Awards-Go-to-Book-of-Mormon-Normal-Heart-War-Horse-Sutton-Foster-Norbert-Leo-Butz |title=Drama Desk Awards Go to Book of Mormon, Normal Heart, War Horse, Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz |publisher=Playbill.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-08}}</ref> In September 2011, Leguizamo began an international tour of ''Ghetto Klown'' in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wada|first=Karen|title=John Leguizamo and 'Ghetto Klown' coming to the Ricardo Montalban Theatre|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/07/john-leguizamos-ghetto-klown-is-coming-to-the-ricardo-montalban-theatre.html|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> On July 13, 2012, [[PBS]] debuted ''Tales From a Ghetto Klown,'' a documentary about Leguizamo's life and the show's development. On November 16, 2013 John taped Ghetto Klown at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ for HBO.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aucoin|first=Don|title=In ‘Tales From a Ghetto Klown,’ Broadway minus the glitz|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/2012/07/13/john-leguizamo-restless-introspection-drives-tales-from-ghetto-klown/INZkN3xT0ndhzofi8Y9guM/story.html|newspaper=Boston.com (The Boston Globe)|date=July 12, 2012}}</ref>


In 2023, he briefly hosted ''[[The Daily Show]]'' after [[Trevor Noah]]'s departure; Leguizamo was part of a series of rotating guest hosts. His brief tenure was a ratings hit, becoming the second most watched of the rotating guests only behind [[Al Franken]]. Other guest hosts included [[Sarah Silverman]], [[Hasan Minhaj]], [[Roy Wood Jr.]], [[Wanda Sykes]], [[Leslie Jones (comedian)|Leslie Jones]], [[Kal Penn]], [[Chelsea Handler]], and [[Marlon Wayans]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thewrap.com/the-daily-show-celebrity-hosts-ratings-viewership/|title= 'The Daily Show' Ratings: How the Rotating Celebrity Hosts Stacked Up|website= [[TheWrap]]|date= April 18, 2023|accessdate= June 25, 2023}}</ref> It also was announced he would host the [[MSNBC]] series ''Leguizamo Does America'', premiering on Sunday April 16.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/john-leguizamo-msnbc-leguizamo-does-america-1235376182/|title= John Leguizamo on Exploring Latin History With MSNBC's 'Leguizamo Does America'|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date= April 16, 2023|accessdate= June 25, 2023}}</ref> In summer 2023, his play, ''Our Hood'', an adaptation of Thornton Wilder's ''[[Our Town]]'', had its first reading at the [[Guthrie Theater]] under the direction of Maija Garcia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Hood |url=https://www.latinxshakespeares.org/other |website=Latinx Shakespeares |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>
===On record===
In 2001 RCA Records released ''John Leguizamo LIVE'', a CD compilation of Leguizamo's stage routines. Among the bits are a primer Leguizamo gives on the history and culture of Latinos in America, which with the dubious tale of the mating of an Inca princess with a Spanish conquistador, thus creating the original dysfunctional Latin family, each member of which is voiced by Leguizamo. The CD also includes a musical intermission, with two salsa/hip-hop tunes, "The Night Before Christmas" and "Gotta Get Some", and footage from Leguizamo's tours and two interactive games, "Spanish Fly Pick-Up Line".


Leguizamo is the host for the PBS series, "American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos", that premiered September 27, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.pbs.org/show/voces-american-historia-the-untold-history-of-latinos/ | title=VOCES American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos | publisher=[[PBS]]}}</ref>
===Books===
In October 2006, Leguizamo's memoir, ''Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life'', was released. During an interview on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', he stated that his memoir was very candid about experiences involving other celebrities he had worked with. He stated that working with [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] on ''[[Collateral Damage (film)|Collateral Damage]]'' (2002) was one of the most enjoyable experiences he'd had as an actor, that Schwarzenegger's accent let him say things that others would think were [[sexist]] or [[homophobic]] if said by someone else, that [[Steven Seagal]] was an egotist with [[diva]] tendencies, that [[Kurt Russell]] continuously called him a "faggot", and that [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] was a "patron of prostitutes".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/10/john-leguizamo-trashes-everyone-hes-ever-worked-with/ |title=Fresh Intelligence : Radar Online : John Leguizamo Trashes Everyone He's Ever Worked With |publisher=Radar Online |date=2008-10-27 |accessdate=2011-10-08}}</ref>

In October 2015, Abrams ComicArts published the [[graphic novel]] adaptation of Leguizamo's one-man Broadway show, ''Ghetto Klown''. As with the live show, the graphic novel explores the actor/comedian's life and career, beginning with his adolescence in [[Queens, New York]], his involvement in '80s avant-garde theater, his feature film career, and some of the colorful characters he encountered throughout his life. Leguizamo describes the work thusly: "''Ghetto Klown'' is the history that I probably never should have told anyone but my therapist, but it's a real lesson that even if you suffer a certain amount (a lot) of self-doubt and anxiety, you can still accomplish great things. It’s a lesson I'm really excited to impart to a whole new audience." The comic is illustrated by Christo Cassano.<ref>Parkin, JK (January 1, 2015). [http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2015/01/exclusive-preview-john-leguizamos-ghetto-klown/ "Exclusive preview: John Leguizamo's 'Ghetto Klown'"]. [[Comic Book Resources]].</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Leguizamo married actress Yelba Osorio in 1994 and divorced in 1996 after two years of marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/dog-lover-leguizamo-wife-walk-article-1.749279|title=DOG-LOVER LEGUIZAMO WANTS WIFE TO TAKE A WALK|website=[[New York Daily News]]|date=November 21, 1996 }}</ref>
Leguizamo married Justine Maurer, a costumer on ''[[Carlito's Way]]'',<ref>''Ghetto Klown'' - HBO - 0:56:00 and 1:20:00</ref> on June 28, 2003, in a Catholic-Jewish ceremony (he is Catholic and his wife is Jewish).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140534,00.html|title=Knot Ready|work=www.people.com}}</ref> They have two children, daughter Allegra Sky<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/john-leguizamo/bio/158091 |title=John Leguizamo |publisher=[[TV Guide|TVGuide.com]]}}</ref><ref>[http://celebritybabies.people.com/2009/08/21/art-imitates-life-for-john-leguizamo/ Art Imitates Life for John Leguizamo – People.com]</ref> (born in 1999) and son Lucas (born as Ryder Lee, 2000),
<ref>"his daughter, Allegra, 15, and son, Lucas (Ryder Lee), 14" {{cite web| url = http://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/434603-little-palm-island-resport-spa/100 |title= Little Palm Island Resort & Spa |publisher=Miami Living Magazine}}</ref><ref>[http://www.yatedo.com/p/Lucas+Leguizamo/famous/7127785e5784511ed154f3f54a193475 Lucas Leguizamo - Voice Actor - Yatedo]</ref><ref>[https://www.epicbuzz.net/celebrity/lucas-leguizamo Lucas Leguizamo - EpicBuzz]</ref><ref>http://www.gettyimages.com/event/nickelodeons-23rd-annual-kids-choice-awards-arrivals-96817969#actor-john-leguizamo-and-his-children-allegra-leguizamo-and-lucas-picture-id98092389</ref><ref>http://www.gettyimages.com/event/nickelodeons-23rd-annual-kids-choice-awards-arrivals-96817969#actor-john-leguizamo-and-his-children-allegra-sky-and-ryder-lee-at-picture-id98091018</ref> and live in [[Manhattan]].


He married Justine Maurer, a [[Costume designer|costumer]] on ''[[Carlito's Way]]'',<ref>''Ghetto Klown'' - HBO - 0:56:00 and 1:20:00</ref> on June 28, 2003. Leguizamo is [[Catholic]] and Maurer is Jewish.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140534,00.html|title=Knot Ready|work=People}}</ref> They have two children, daughter Allegra Sky Leguizamo<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/john-leguizamo/bio/158091 |title=John Leguizamo |work=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2009/08/21/art-imitates-life-for-john-leguizamo/|title=Art Imitates Life for John Leguizamo|access-date=April 17, 2014|archive-date=April 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012845/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2009/08/21/art-imitates-life-for-john-leguizamo/|url-status=dead}}</ref> (born 1999) and son Ryder Lee "Lucas" Leguizamo (born 2000).<ref>"his daughter, Allegra, 15, and son, Lucas (Ryder Lee), 14" {{cite web| url = http://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/434603-little-palm-island-resport-spa/100 |title= Little Paln Island Resort & Spa |publisher=Miami Living Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yatedo.com/p/Lucas+Leguizamo/famous/7127785e5784511ed154f3f54a193475|title=Lucas Leguizamo - Voice Actor|website=yatedo.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826075224/http://www.yatedo.com/p/Lucas+Leguizamo/famous/7127785e5784511ed154f3f54a193475|archive-date=August 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.epicbuzz.net/celebrity/lucas-leguizamo|title=Lucas Leguizamo - EpicBuzz|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817192312/https://www.epicbuzz.net/celebrity/lucas-leguizamo|archive-date=August 17, 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/nickelodeons-23rd-annual-kids-choice-awards-arrivals|title=Nickelodeons 23rd Annual Kids Choice Awards Arrivals Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images|website=www.gettyimages.com}}</ref> They live in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/inside-actor-john-leguizamos-new-york-city-brownstone-an-antique-lovers-paradise|title=Inside Actor John Leguizamo's New York City Brownstone, an Antique Lover's Paradise|date=March 2, 2023|website=Architectural Digest}}</ref>
In 2008, Leguizamo received the [[Rita Moreno]] HOLA Award for Excellence from the [[Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors]] (HOLA). He was a recipient of the 2011 Made in NY Award from [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Leguizamo Among Honorees For MADE IN NY Awards |url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Leguizamo-Among-Honorees-For-MADE-IN-NY-Awards-20110512|work=Broadway World|accessdate=9 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Matt Damon, John Leguizamo, Late Sidney Lumet Honored With 'Made in NY' Awards|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matt-damon-john-leguizamo-late-195388|work=Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=9 August 2011|first=Georg|last=Szalai|date=6 June 2011}}</ref>


In 2008, Leguizamo received the [[Rita Moreno]] HOLA Award for Excellence from the [[Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors]] (HOLA). In 2011, he received the Made in NY Award from New York City.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leguizamo Among Honorees For MADE IN NY Awards |url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Leguizamo-Among-Honorees-For-MADE-IN-NY-Awards-20110512|work=Broadway World|access-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Matt Damon, John Leguizamo, Late Sidney Lumet Honored With 'Made in NY' Awards|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matt-damon-john-leguizamo-late-195388|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 9, 2011|first=Georg|last=Szalai|date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> In 2018, Leguizamo received an Honorary Degree from [[Marymount Manhattan College]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmm.edu/live/news/2665-john-leguizamo-and-debora-l-spar-to-receive |title=John Leguizamo and Debora L. Spar to Receive Honorary Degrees |date=April 12, 2018 |publisher=[[Marymount Manhattan College]] |access-date=November 25, 2018}}</ref> Leguizamo gave the commencement speech to the Class of 2022 at [[Vassar College]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vassar.edu/news/commencement-speaker-john-leguizamo-celebrates-resilient-class-2022 |title=Commencement Speaker John Leguizamo Celebrates the Resilient Class of 2022 |date=May 24, 2022 |publisher=[[Vassar College]] |access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>
He is a [[New York Mets]] fan.

==Activism==
In 2004, Leguizamo was one of the celebrity supporters of [[Voto Latino]], co-founded by [[Rosario Dawson]].<ref>{{cite web |title=August 2004: Voto Latino Launches |url=https://votolatino.org/about/ |website=Voto Latino |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> In 2012, he co-founded NGL (Next-Generation Latinx) Collective to create content for Latinx audiences.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Wendy |title=John Leguizamo Has a Plan to Grow the Latinx Presence in Entertainment |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-08-01/lat-et-ct-digital-media-john-leguizamo-mitu-ngl-collective |website=Los Angeles Times |date=August 2022 |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> Backed by GoDigital Media Group, in 2022 NGL merged with mitú "to create the largest digital-first "Latinx powerhouse" in the US."<ref>{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Ashley |title=NGL Collective Merges with mitú to Create 'Latinx Powerhouse' |url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/03/ngl-collective-merges-with-mitu/ |website=Digital Music News |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> Leguizamo has also been heralded as a preservationist for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fish |first1=Jesse |title=John Leguizamo's East Village |url=http://localeastvillage.com/2012/02/01/john-leguizamos-east-village/ |website=The Local East Village |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref>

In 2016, Leguizamo authored a searing op-ed in ''[[The New York Times]]'', calling out Donald Trump's "racist rhetoric" and urging Latinos to vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leguizamo |first1=John |title='Too Bad You're Latin' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/21/opinion/too-bad-youre-latin.html |website=The New York Times |date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> As of 2022, he is on the board of directors for the [[National Museum of the American Latino]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Board Chair, Executive Leadership Named to Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino |url=https://americanlatinomuseum.org/new-board-chair-executive-leadership-named-to-friends-of-the-national-museum-of-the-american-latino/ |website=The National Museum of the American Latino |date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref>

Leguizamo has also been an activist directly through his artistic work. In 2017, he opened ''Latin History for Morons'' at The Public, and it later went to Broadway. Netflix filmed it in 2018, advocating that "teaching Latin history is the first step toward conquering prejudice."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Genzlinger |first1=Neil |title=Why John Leguizamo Is So Invested in Telling the Country About Latino History |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/john-leguizamo-invested-telling-latino-history-180970680/ |website=Smithsonian Magazine |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> In 2020, Leguizamo's directorial debut, ''[[Critical Thinking (film)|Critical Thinking]]'', was released. He starred in the biographical drama set in 1998 about an inner-city teacher and students who compete in the US National Chess Championship.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Henderson |first1=Odie |title=Critical Thinking |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/critical-thinking-movie-review-2020 |website=RogerEbert.com |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> He said that he wanted to, "create a universal message of hope and spread this message to the world."<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=John Leguizamo Feature Directorial Debut 'Critical Thinking' Picked Up By Vertical Entertainment |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/john-leguizamo-feature-directorial-debut-critical-thinking-picked-up-by-vertical-entertainment-1202996032/ |website=Deadline |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> In 2022, he performed ''Ghetto Klown'' "at Rikers Island Correctional Facility for an audience of justice-involved young men."<ref>{{cite web |title=John Leguizamo Live at Rikers |url=https://tribecafilm.com/films/john-leguizamo-live-at-rikers-2022 |website=Tribeca Film Festival |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref>

Leguizamo is an outspoken critic of [[Whitewashing in film|Hollywood's whitewashing]] in the casting of movies. In 2022, he spoke out against the casting of [[James Franco]] to portray [[Fidel Castro]] in the upcoming film ''Alina of Cuba: La Hija Rebelde'', stating "I don't got a prob with Franco but he ain't Latino!"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trepany |first1=Charles |title=James Franco to play Fidel Castro in 'Alina of Cuba' following sexual misconduct lawsuit |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/08/04/james-franco-portrays-fidel-castro-upcoming-alina-of-cuba-movie/10243275002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> In a 2023 interview with [[TMZ]], Leguizamo, who previously starred in the 1993 [[Super Mario Bros (film)|''Super Mario Bros'' film]], criticized ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' for having actors [[Chris Pratt]] and [[Charlie Day]] voice the Italian-American [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]], saying "No I will not [be watching]. They could've included a Latin character, like I was groundbreaking and then they stopped the groundbreaking. They messed up the inclusion. They dis-included. Just cast some Latin folk! We're 20% of the population. The largest people of color group and we are underrepresented."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Former Luigi Actor John Leguizamo Says 'Hell No' to Watching 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' Due to Casting: 'They Messed Up the Inclusion'|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/john-leguizamo-boycotts-super-mario-bros-movie-casting-inclusion-1235575495/|website=[[Variety (website)|Variety]]}}</ref>

Leguizamo is an advocate for [[LGBTQ+ rights]]. In 2023, he, alongside other figures, appeared in a video produced by [[Teen Vogue]] and online magazine [[Them (website)|Them]] called ''Dear Trans Youth'' affirming his support for [[transgender youth]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kurtz |first=Judy |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Elliot Page, Margaret Cho, John Leguizamo among celebs offering 'message of solidarity to trans youth' |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3927956-elliot-page-margaret-cho-john-leguizamo-among-celebs-offering-message-of-solidarity-to-trans-youth/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
{{main article|John Leguizamo filmography}}
{{Main|John Leguizamo filmography}}

===Film===
'''Selected credits'''
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[Casualties of War (film)|Casualties of War]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Die Hard 2]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Regarding Henry]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Hangin' with the Homeboys]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Carlito's Way]]'' (1993)
* ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Romeo + Juliet]]'' (1996)
* ''[[The Fan (1996 film)|The Fan]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Executive Decision]]'' (1996)
* ''[[The Pest (1997 film)|The Pest]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Spawn (1997 film)|Spawn]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Dr. Dolittle (1998 film)|Dr. Dolittle]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Summer of Sam]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Titan A.E.]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Ice Age (2002 film)|Ice Age]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Empire (2002 film)|Empire]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Spun]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Crónicas]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Land of the Dead]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Ice Age: The Meltdown]]'' (2006)
* ''[[The Happening (2008 film)|The Happening]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Miracle at St. Anna]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs]]'' (2009)
* ''[[One for the Money (film)|One for the Money]]'' (2011)
* ''[[The Lincoln Lawyer (film)|The Lincoln Lawyer]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Ice Age: Continental Drift]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Kick-Ass 2 (film)|Kick-Ass 2]]'' (2013)
* ''[[The Counselor]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Ride Along (film)|Ride Along]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Chef (2014 film)|Chef]]'' (2014)
* ''[[John Wick (film)|John Wick]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Experimenter (film)|Experimenter]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Meadowland (film)|Meadowland]]'' (2015)
* ''[[American Ultra]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Sisters (2015 film)|Sisters]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Ice Age: Collision Course]]'' (2016)
* ''[[The Infiltrator (2016 film)|The Infiltrator]]'' (2016)
* ''[[John Wick: Chapter 2]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Nancy (film)|Nancy]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Playing with Fire (2019 film)|Playing with Fire]]'' (2019)
* ''[[Critical Thinking (film)|Critical Thinking]]'' (2020)
* ''[[The Survivor (2021 film)|The Survivor]]'' (2021)
* ''[[Encanto]]'' (2021)
* ''[[The Menu (2022 film)|The Menu]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Violent Night]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Ice Age 6]]'' (2026)
{{div col end}}

===Television===
'''Selected credits'''
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* ''[[Miami Vice]]'' (1986–1989)
* ''Mambo Mouth'' (1991)
* ''[[House of Buggin']]'' (1995)
* ''[[Freak (film)|Freak]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Arabian Nights (TV miniseries)|Arabian Nights]]'' (2000)
* ''[[The Brothers Garcia]]'' (2000–2004)
* ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' (2005–2006)
* ''[[My Name Is Earl]]'' (2006)
* ''[[The Kill Point]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Bloodline (TV series)|Bloodline]]'' (2016–2017)
* ''[[Waco (miniseries)|Waco]]'' (2018)
* ''Latin History for Morons'' (2018)
* ''[[When They See Us]]'' (2019)
* ''[[The Mandalorian]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Fairfax (TV series)|Fairfax]]'' (2021–2022)
* ''[[The Power (TV series)|The Power]]'' (2023–present)
* ''Leguizamo Does America'' (2023)
* ''The Green Veil'' (2024)
* ''[[Firebug (TV series)|Firebug]]'' (TBA)
{{div col end}}

==Theater==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align: margin;"
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Role
! scope="col"| Venue
|-
|1991
|''Mambo Mouth''
|Writer / Performer
|Off-Broadway
|-
|1993
|''Spic-O-Rama''
|Writer / Performer
|Chicago
|-
|1998 || ''[[John Leguizamo: Freak|Freak]]'' || Writer / Performer || [[Cort Theatre]], [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] debut
|-
|2001 || rowspan=2|''Sexaholix'' || rowspan=2|Writer / Performer || [[Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre|Royale Theatre]], Broadway
|-
|2003 || [[Broadway Theatre (53rd Street)|Broadway Theatre]], Broadway
|-
|2008 || ''[[American Buffalo (play)|American Buffalo]]'' || Walter Cole || [[Belasco Theatre]], Broadway
|-
|2011 || ''Ghetto Klown'' || Writer / Performer || [[Lyceum Theatre (Broadway)|Lyceum Theatre]], Broadway
|-
|2017 || ''Latin History for Morons'' || Writer / Performer || [[Studio 54]], Broadway
|-
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Title
! Result
! Ref.
|-
|rowspan=2|1999 || rowspan=4|[[Primetime Emmy Awards]] || [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)|Outstanding Variety Special]] || rowspan=2|''[[John Leguizamo: Freak]]'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program|Outstanding Performance in a Variety Special]] || {{won}} ||
|-
|2018 || rowspan=2|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie]] || ''[[Waco (miniseries)|Waco]]'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
|2019 || ''[[When They See Us]]'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
|rowspan=2|2015 || rowspan=2|[[New York Emmy Awards]] || Entertainment Program or Special || rowspan=2|''The Lineup: The Best New York Movies'' || {{won}} ||
|-
|Interview or Discussion || {{won}} ||
|-
|1995 || [[Golden Globe Award]] || [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture]] || ''[[To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar]]'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
|2001 || [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] || [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture]] || ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
|rowspan=2|1998 || rowspan=5|[[Tony Awards]] || [[Tony Award for Best Play|Best Play]] || rowspan=2|''[[John Leguizamo: Freak|Freak]]'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play|Best Actor in a Play]] || {{nom}} ||
|-
|2002 || [[Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event|Best Special Theatrical Event]] || ''Sexaholix'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
|rowspan=2|2018 || [[Tony Award for Best Play|Best Play]] || ''Latin History for Morons'' || {{nom}} ||
|-
|colspan=2|[[Special Tony Award]] || {{won|Received}} ||
|-
|}

==Discography==
'''Charted songs'''
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of charted songs, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<ref name="BillboardHot100">Song peaks on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]:
*"All of You": {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2022-02-19/|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of February 19, 2022|magazine=Billboard|date=February 19, 2022|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]<ref name="CAN">Song peaks in Canada:
*"All of You": {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2022-03-05/|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100: March 5, 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=March 5, 2022|access-date=March 1, 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Global 200|WW]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2022-02-12/|title=Billboard Global 200: Week of February 12, 2022|magazine=Billboard|date=February 12, 2022|access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"|"All of You" <small>(with [[Stephanie Beatriz]], [[Olga Merediz]], [[Adassa]], [[Maluma]], and ''Encanto'' cast)</small>
| 2021
| 71 || 83 || 111
| ''[[Encanto (soundtrack)|Encanto: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]''
|}

==Bibliography==
{{Portal|Biography|Colombia|New York City|Film|Hispanic and Latino Americans|Television|United States}}

'''Books'''
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Mambo-Mouth-John-Leguizamo/dp/0553370871|Mambo Mouth]'' ([[Bantam Books]], 1993)
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Spic-Rama-Dysfunctional-John-Leguizamo/dp/B0027QI0Y8|Spicorama a Dysfunctional Comedy]'' (Bantam, 1994)
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Freak-Semi-Demi-Quasi-Pseudo-Autobiography-John-Leguizamo/dp/0747276102|Freak a Semidemiquasipseudo Autobiography]'' ([[Riverhead Books]], 1998)
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Pimps-Playa-Hatas-Hollywood-Friends/dp/0060520728|Pimps Hos Playa Hatas and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends My Life]'' ([[Ecco Press]], 2006)
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Works-John-Leguizamo-Spic-rama/dp/0060520701|The Works of John Leguizamo Freak Spicorama Mambo Mouth and Sexaholix]'' ([[Harper Collins]], 2008)
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Ghetto-Klown-John-Leguizamo/dp/1419715186|Ghetto Klown]'' ([[Abrams Books]], 2015)

'''Comic Books'''
* ''PhemonX #1'' with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and [[Chris Batista]] (November 10, 2021)
* ''PhenomX #2'' with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and Chris Batista (December 8, 2021)
* ''PhemonX #3'' with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and Chris Batista (January 11, 2022)
* ''Phenomx #4'' with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and Chris Batista (February 9, 2022)

==Notes==
{{notelist|group=note}}


==See also==
{{Portal|Colombia|Puerto Rico|Hispanic and Latino Americans}}
* [[Colombian American]]
* [[Puerto Rican American]]
* [[List of Colombians|List of notable Colombians]]
* [[List of Puerto Ricans|List of notable Puerto Ricans]]
* [[List of hispanophones]]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons|John Leguizamo}}
{{Commons}}

* {{Twitter}}
* {{IBDB name|id=0006851}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IMDb name|491}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IOBDB name|7574}}
* [http://www.nochelatina.com/interviews/archives/qa_sessions_john_leguizamo_on_the_happening.aspx Q&A Sessions: John Leguizamo on The Happening] at nocheLatina.com
* {{TCMDb name}}


{{Navboxes
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for John Leguizamo
|title = Awards for John Leguizamo
|list =
|list =
{{EmmyAward VarietyPerformance 1976-2000}}
{{DramaDesk One-PersonShow}}
{{DramaDesk One-PersonShow}}
{{EmmyAward VarietyPerformance 1976-2000}}
{{Special Tony Award}}
}}
}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:1964 births]]
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[[Category:Age controversies]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ rights activists]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
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[[Category:American male television actors]]
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[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male comedians]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Long Island University alumni]]
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[[Category:Male actors from Bogotá]]
[[Category:Male actors from New York City]]
[[Category:Male actors from Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Male actors of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Murry Bergtraum High School alumni]]
[[Category:New York University alumni]]
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[[Category:Obie Award recipients]]
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[[Category:People from Jackson Heights, Queens]]
[[Category:People from Jackson Heights, Queens]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:RCA Records artists]]
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[[Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni]]

Latest revision as of 17:21, 22 December 2024

John Leguizamo
Leguizamo in 2014
Born
John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez[1]

(1960-07-22) July 22, 1960 (age 64) or
(1964-07-22) July 22, 1964 (age 60)
Bogotá, Colombia
Citizenship
  • Colombia
  • United States
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Years active1984–present
Spouses
Yelba Osorio
(m. 1994; div. 1996)
Justine Maurer
(m. 2003)
Children2
Comedy career
Medium
  • Film
  • stand-up
  • television
Genres
Subject(s)

John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez (/ˌlɛɡwɪˈzɑːm/, LEG-wih-ZAH-moh; Colombian Spanish: [leɣiˈsamo]; born July 22, 1960 or 1964[note 1]) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and film producer. He has appeared in over 100 films, produced over 20 films and documentaries, made over 30 television appearances, and has produced various television projects. He has also written and performed for the Broadway stage receiving four Tony Award nominations for Freak in 1998, Sexaholix in 2002, and Latin History for Morons in 2018. He received a Special Tony Award in 2018.

Leguizamo began his career as a stand-up comedian in New York City. After several years of doing supporting roles in film and television, he rose to fame with major roles in the fantasy adventure Super Mario Bros. portraying Luigi Mario and the crime drama Carlito's Way portraying Benny Blanco (both from 1993), followed by a role as drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in the road comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination. Other films Leguizamo has since appeared in include Romeo + Juliet (1996), The Pest (1997), Summer of Sam (1999), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Empire (2002), Love in the Time of Cholera (2007), Righteous Kill (2008), The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), The Counselor (2013), John Wick (2014), John Wick 2 (2017), and The Menu (2022). As a voice actor, he narrated the sitcom The Brothers García (2000–2004) and played Sid the Sloth in the Ice Age franchise and Bruno Madrigal in Encanto (2021).[3]

Leguizamo is also known for his television roles including Freak (1998) for which he received the 1999 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.[4] This was a historic win, making Leguizamo the first ever Latino to win this award in Emmy history.[5] He received further Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the Paramount miniseries Waco (2018) and the Netflix limited series When They See Us (2019). He has also appeared on ER, The Kill Point, Bloodline, and The Mandalorian.[6] In 2023, he hosted the MSNBC series Leguizamo Does America.[7]

Early life and education

[edit]

Leguizamo was born in Bogotá, Colombia, the son of Luz Marina Peláez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo.[1] His father was once an aspiring film director and studied at Cinecittà in Rome, Italy, but eventually dropped out due to lack of finances.[8]

John has Indigenous Colombian (Muisca), European (especially Iberian), and some African ancestry.[1] His paternal grandfather was a wealthy Colombian landowner, and his great-great-grandfather, Higinio Cualla, was Mayor of Bogotá for sixteen years in the late 1800s, and was considered an important modernizer of the city.[1] Before this discovery, Leguizamo had claimed that he was Puerto Rican on his father's side, which was one of the reasons he was selected as the Puerto Rican Day Parade Global Ambassador of the Arts,[9] and marched in the parade on June 12, 2011.[10] It was determined that Leguizamo's maternal lineage includes the 16th-century Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, as well as Jerónimo Betuma, a 17th-century indigenous Colombian of noble birth.

When Leguizamo was 3 years old,[11] his family emigrated to New York City,[12] where they lived in various neighborhoods in Queens, including Jackson Heights.[13][14] He later credited growing up as one of the first Latino children in the neighborhood as formative in his acting ability: "It was tough. There were lots of fights. I would walk through a park and be attacked, and I had to defend myself all the time. But this helped me to become funny so that I wouldn't get hit." His parents divorced when he was 13 and lived with his mother growing up.[15][16][17][18] Leguizamo and his family constantly moved apartments in Queens, attending multiple elementary schools. Leguizamo was arrested twice as a teenager, once for jumping a turnstile at a New York City Subway station and another time for truancy. His family later sent him to Colombia for a year where he stayed with his relatives.[19]

Leguizamo attended Joseph Pulitzer Middle School (I.S.145) and later Murry Bergtraum High School. As a student at Murry Bergtraum, he wrote comedy material and tested it on his classmates. He was voted "Most Talkative" by his classmates. After graduating from high school, he began his theater career as an undergraduate at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, from which he eventually dropped out in favor of a career in stand-up comedy. Post-NYU, Leguizamo enrolled at LIU Post and at HB Studio,[20] where he took theater classes.

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]
Leguizamo signing playbills in 2008

Leguizamo started out as a stand-up comic doing the New York nightclub circuit in 1984, and in 1988, he performed at The Public Theater in two shows, including as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream in which he appeared with Fisher Stevens.[21] He made his television debut in 1986 with a small part in Miami Vice. His other early roles include: a friend of Madonna's boyfriend in her "Borderline" video (1984); Mixed Blood (1985), Casualties of War (1989). In the 1990s he played a terrorist in Die Hard 2 (1990), Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991), the robber in Regarding Henry (1991), Super Mario Bros. (1993), and Night Owl (1993). In 1991, Leguizamo also wrote and performed in the Off-Broadway production Mambo Mouth, where he played seven different characters. Mambo Mouth won an Obie Award and an Outer Critics Award. He was listed as one of 12 "Promising New Actors of 1991" in "John Willis' Screen Worlds Vol. 43".

In 1992, he starred in Whispers in the Dark as John Castillo. In 1993 Leguizamo portrayed Luigi in the film Super Mario Bros., based on the Mario video game franchise. Despite being considered a critical and financial failure universally, the film was considered to be his breakthrough role, allowing him to appear in better comedic roles in the following years. That same year, he had a prominent role in Brian De Palma's Carlito's Way as Carlito Brigante's nemesis, "Benny Blanco from the Bronx," which also boosted his career in serious roles. In 1993, Leguizamo wrote and performed in Spic-O-Rama, where he made fun of the stereotyping of Latinos in the United States. The production won a Drama Desk Award and four Cable ACE Awards. Both Mambo Mouth and Spic-O-Rama were later filmed for presentation on HBO.

In 1995, Leguizamo created, produced, wrote, and starred in the 1995 Latino-oriented variety show called House of Buggin' on Fox Television. Some audiences saw this as the Latino version of In Living Color. The show showcased Leguizamo's well-known ability to assume a wide variety of colorful, energetic characters, but due to poor ratings the show ran less than one season. Leguizamo also starred in Romeo + Juliet (1996) as Tybalt Capulet, as Violator in Spawn, Cholo in Land of the Dead, and Pestario 'Pest' Vargas in The Pest, the latter being one of his few roles as a lead actor in a studio film. In 1995, he starred as drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar for which he received a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and starred in the 1996 action film Executive Decision as Captain Rat. In 1998, he debuted on Broadway in the production of Freak, a semi-autobiographical one-person play that was filmed for HBO and released on October 10, 1998, with Spike Lee sitting in as director. The show won him the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. In 1999, he starred in the lead role of Vinny in Summer of Sam which was written and directed by Spike Lee.

2000–2009

[edit]
Leguizamo at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival

In 2000, Leguizamo portrayed both Genies in Arabian Nights, a TV mini-series adaptation of the epic One Thousand and One Nights. In 2001, RCA/BMG Records released John Leguizamo LIVE, a CD compilation of Leguizamo's stage routines. Among the bits are a primer Leguizamo gives on the history and culture of Latinos in America, which with the dubious tale of the mating of an Inca princess with a Spanish conquistador, thus creating the original dysfunctional Latin family, each member of which is voiced by Leguizamo. The CD also includes a musical intermission, with two salsa/hip-hop tunes, "The Night Before Christmas" and "Gotta Get Some", and footage from Leguizamo's tours and two interactive games, "Spanish Fly Pick-Up Line".

To promote the 2001 movie Moulin Rouge!, he appeared on a celebrity edition of the US version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? with Kelly Ripa, Kevin Sorbo, Alfre Woodard, Martin Short and Chevy Chase. Appearing as the first celebrity to sit in the hot seat, he eventually tried for $125,000, but got the answer wrong. In 2002, he starred in the movie Empire. That same year he wrote and performed in Sexaholix... A Love Story, which explained his love life and how he started his own family. Later in 2002, on the syndicated version, a question about the movie featured his character and Meredith Vieira mentioned that Leguizamo had played Lautrec and had been on the show. In 2002, he voiced Sid the Sloth for the film Ice Age, reprising the role for the sequels Ice Age: The Meltdown, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Ice Age: Continental Drift and Ice Age: Collision Course. The game versions of the films also used his voice. In 2003, he voice-acted Globox from Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc. Leguizamo portrayed Paul in the Brad Anderson thriller film Vanishing on 7th Street.[22]

Leguizamo at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival

In 2004, he guest-starred on Dora the Explorer as Captain Pirate Piggy. During the 2005–06 television season, Leguizamo joined the cast of the show ER, playing the emotionally disturbed Dr. Victor Clemente, a new attending who is keen on introducing the staff of County General to better ways of treating patients and cutting-edge technology. Clemente, however, was plagued with personal problems and was fired from the hospital near the end of the season. Dr. Clemente's departure from the show was a blessing for Leguizamo. He revealed to CraveOnline that he was not happy working on the television program. "I was depressed doing ER," he admitted, "I started gaining weight, I was eating doughnuts, I started smoking again. I'm eating McDonald's, things that I know when I'm depressed I do. I tried to kill myself internally."[23]

In 2006, Leguizamo starred in the television pilot for Edison, a 2006 CBS drama about a Los Angeles detective (played by Leguizamo) who relied on impersonations and disguises to solve crimes. Other cast members included Currie Graham and Deidrie Henry. Kevin Rodney Sullivan directed from a script by Ron Milbauer and Terri Hughes. Leguizamo and David Hoberman also served as executive producers. In October 2006, Leguizamo's memoir, Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life, was released. During an interview on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, he stated that his memoir was very candid about experiences involving other celebrities he had worked with. He stated that working with Arnold Schwarzenegger on Collateral Damage (2002) was one of the most enjoyable experiences he'd had as an actor, that Schwarzenegger's accent let him say things that others would think were sexist or homophobic if said by someone else, and that Steven Seagal was an egotist with diva tendencies.[24]

In 2007, he played Michael Beltran in the movie The Babysitters. In 2008, he co-starred in the movie The Happening, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.[25] In July 2007, Spike TV aired its drama series The Kill Point, which starred Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, and Michael Hyatt. The show was an eight-part series revolving around ex-war veterans whose bank robbery went wrong, thus ending in a hostage situation. Despite high ratings, The Kill Point was not renewed for a second season. A year later, Leguizamo guest-starred on Sesame Street as Captain Vegetable, who tells Elmo to eat his vegetables.

2010–2016

[edit]
Leguizamo at the Chicago Theatre in 2014

In 2010, Leguizamo also guest-starred on The Electric Company as himself, rhyming about commas and quotation marks. In June 2010, Leguizamo opened his semi-autobiographical one-man theater show, Klass Klown (later renamed Ghetto Klown), based on his memoir Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life. After the show ran at various theaters in the United States and Leguizamo performed an "unplugged" version of it under the title John Leguizamo Warms Up at a Chicago theater, it opened on Broadway in March 2011 at the Lyceum Theatre.[26][27][28][29] The show, about Leguizamo's path from obscurity to stardom, opened to many positive reviews and was extended through July 10, 2011. A CD of the show was released. In 2011, Leguizamo received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance[30] and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance for his performance in the show.[31] In September 2011, Leguizamo began an international tour of Ghetto Klown in Los Angeles.[32] On July 13, 2012, PBS debuted Tales From a Ghetto Klown, a documentary about Leguizamo's life and the show's development. On November 16, 2013, John taped Ghetto Klown at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ for HBO.[33]

In 2012, Leguizamo was cast as Derek Trotter in the American remake of the British BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. In October 2013, Leguizamo started filming for The Crash, starring alongside Frank Grillo, AnnaSophia Robb, Dianna Agron, Ed Westwick, Minnie Driver, Mary McCormack, Christopher McDonald and Maggie Q.[34] The film is directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, Atit Shah and Aaron Becker. In 2014 Leguizamo starred alongside Jon Favreau in Chef as the line cook Martin, a role he prepared for by working as an actual line cook at The Lion in the West Village.[35] Also in 2014, he played a drug dealer in the action comedy film American Ultra alongside Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. He also starred in John Wick as Aurelio in 2014. The Crash was released on January 13, 2017.[36]

In 2015, Abrams ComicArts published the graphic novel adaptation of Leguizamo's one-man Broadway show, Ghetto Klown. As with the live show, the graphic novel explores the actor/comedian's life and career, beginning with his adolescence in Queens, New York, his involvement in 1980s avant-garde theater, his feature film career, and some of the colorful characters he encountered throughout his life. Leguizamo describes the work:

"Ghetto Klown is the history that I probably never should have told anyone but my therapist, but it's a real lesson that even if you suffer a certain amount (a lot) of self-doubt and anxiety, you can still accomplish great things. It's a lesson I'm really excited to impart to a whole new audience."

The comic is illustrated by Christa Cassano.[37] In 2016, Leguizamo played the role of Ozzy Delvecchio in the second season of the Netflix original series Bloodline. Also in 2016, he produced the Q Brothers' Othello: The Remix at off-Broadway's Westside Theatre.[38]

2017–present

[edit]
Leguizamo in 2013

In 2017, Leguizamo sang on "Almost Like Praying", a charitable song written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Proceeds from the song went to the Hispanic Federation to assist relief efforts for those in Puerto Rico who were affected by Hurricane Maria.[39] Also in 2017, he debuted Latin History for Morons,[40] a show about the participation of Latin Americans throughout US history. The show premiered at the Public Theater before moving to Studio 54. Latin History for Morons was nominated for the 2018 Tony Award for Best Play.[41] That year, he also was presented with a Special Tony Award for his body of work and for his commitment to bringing diverse stories and audiences to Broadway for three decades.[42] In January 2018, Leguizamo was announced as the host of the 63rd Obie Awards held in May 2018 at Terminal 5.[43]

In 2018, Leguizamo played undercover ATF agent Jacob Vazquez in the Paramount Network miniseries Waco. The following year, Leguizamo played Raymond Santana's father Raymond Santana Sr. in the Netflix miniseries When They See Us. Leguizamo wrote the original musical Kiss My Aztec, with book by Leguizamo and director Tony Taccone, music by Benjamin Velez, and lyrics by Velez, Leguizamo, and David Kamp. It was developed at the Public Theater in 2018 and premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theater and La Jolla Playhouse in 2019, where it received critical acclaim.[44][45][46][47][48][49] Leguizamo also received Smithsonian Magazine's 2018 American Ingenuity Award in the History category.[50]

In 2020, Leguizamo played Gor Koresh in season 2, episode 1 of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. In 2021, he played Estragon opposite Ethan Hawke as Vladimir in Waiting for Godot and Wallace Shawn with The New Group Off Stage as a video performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.[51] In 2021, Leguizamo provided the voice of Bruno Madrigal in the Disney animated film Encanto,[52] which received the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. In 2022 he acted in the critically acclaimed Mark Mylod-directed comedy-horror film The Menu alongside Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes, where he played a washed-up movie star attending an exclusive restaurant with his assistant played by Aimee Carrero. Leguizamo based his character on Steven Seagal, with whom he co-starred in Executive Decision.[53] In 2022, he played Scrooge in the Christmas action comedy Violent Night.[54]

In 2023, he briefly hosted The Daily Show after Trevor Noah's departure; Leguizamo was part of a series of rotating guest hosts. His brief tenure was a ratings hit, becoming the second most watched of the rotating guests only behind Al Franken. Other guest hosts included Sarah Silverman, Hasan Minhaj, Roy Wood Jr., Wanda Sykes, Leslie Jones, Kal Penn, Chelsea Handler, and Marlon Wayans.[55] It also was announced he would host the MSNBC series Leguizamo Does America, premiering on Sunday April 16.[7][56] In summer 2023, his play, Our Hood, an adaptation of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, had its first reading at the Guthrie Theater under the direction of Maija Garcia.[57]

Leguizamo is the host for the PBS series, "American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos", that premiered September 27, 2024.[58]

Personal life

[edit]

Leguizamo married actress Yelba Osorio in 1994 and divorced in 1996 after two years of marriage.[59]

He married Justine Maurer, a costumer on Carlito's Way,[60] on June 28, 2003. Leguizamo is Catholic and Maurer is Jewish.[61] They have two children, daughter Allegra Sky Leguizamo[62][63] (born 1999) and son Ryder Lee "Lucas" Leguizamo (born 2000).[64][65][66][67] They live in Manhattan.[68]

In 2008, Leguizamo received the Rita Moreno HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA). In 2011, he received the Made in NY Award from New York City.[69][70] In 2018, Leguizamo received an Honorary Degree from Marymount Manhattan College.[71] Leguizamo gave the commencement speech to the Class of 2022 at Vassar College.[72]

Activism

[edit]

In 2004, Leguizamo was one of the celebrity supporters of Voto Latino, co-founded by Rosario Dawson.[73] In 2012, he co-founded NGL (Next-Generation Latinx) Collective to create content for Latinx audiences.[74] Backed by GoDigital Media Group, in 2022 NGL merged with mitú "to create the largest digital-first "Latinx powerhouse" in the US."[75] Leguizamo has also been heralded as a preservationist for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.[76]

In 2016, Leguizamo authored a searing op-ed in The New York Times, calling out Donald Trump's "racist rhetoric" and urging Latinos to vote.[77] As of 2022, he is on the board of directors for the National Museum of the American Latino.[78]

Leguizamo has also been an activist directly through his artistic work. In 2017, he opened Latin History for Morons at The Public, and it later went to Broadway. Netflix filmed it in 2018, advocating that "teaching Latin history is the first step toward conquering prejudice."[79] In 2020, Leguizamo's directorial debut, Critical Thinking, was released. He starred in the biographical drama set in 1998 about an inner-city teacher and students who compete in the US National Chess Championship.[80] He said that he wanted to, "create a universal message of hope and spread this message to the world."[81] In 2022, he performed Ghetto Klown "at Rikers Island Correctional Facility for an audience of justice-involved young men."[82]

Leguizamo is an outspoken critic of Hollywood's whitewashing in the casting of movies. In 2022, he spoke out against the casting of James Franco to portray Fidel Castro in the upcoming film Alina of Cuba: La Hija Rebelde, stating "I don't got a prob with Franco but he ain't Latino!"[83] In a 2023 interview with TMZ, Leguizamo, who previously starred in the 1993 Super Mario Bros film, criticized The Super Mario Bros. Movie for having actors Chris Pratt and Charlie Day voice the Italian-American Mario and Luigi, saying "No I will not [be watching]. They could've included a Latin character, like I was groundbreaking and then they stopped the groundbreaking. They messed up the inclusion. They dis-included. Just cast some Latin folk! We're 20% of the population. The largest people of color group and we are underrepresented."[84]

Leguizamo is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2023, he, alongside other figures, appeared in a video produced by Teen Vogue and online magazine Them called Dear Trans Youth affirming his support for transgender youth.[85]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]

Selected credits

Television

[edit]

Selected credits

Theater

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue
1991 Mambo Mouth Writer / Performer Off-Broadway
1993 Spic-O-Rama Writer / Performer Chicago
1998 Freak Writer / Performer Cort Theatre, Broadway debut
2001 Sexaholix Writer / Performer Royale Theatre, Broadway
2003 Broadway Theatre, Broadway
2008 American Buffalo Walter Cole Belasco Theatre, Broadway
2011 Ghetto Klown Writer / Performer Lyceum Theatre, Broadway
2017 Latin History for Morons Writer / Performer Studio 54, Broadway

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
1999 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Special John Leguizamo: Freak Nominated
Outstanding Performance in a Variety Special Won
2018 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Waco Nominated
2019 When They See Us Nominated
2015 New York Emmy Awards Entertainment Program or Special The Lineup: The Best New York Movies Won
Interview or Discussion Won
1995 Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar Nominated
2001 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Moulin Rouge! Nominated
1998 Tony Awards Best Play Freak Nominated
Best Actor in a Play Nominated
2002 Best Special Theatrical Event Sexaholix Nominated
2018 Best Play Latin History for Morons Nominated
Special Tony Award Received

Discography

[edit]

Charted songs

List of charted songs, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US[86] CAN[87] WW[88]
"All of You" (with Stephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz, Adassa, Maluma, and Encanto cast) 2021 71 83 111 Encanto: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Bibliography

[edit]

Books

Comic Books

  • PhemonX #1 with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and Chris Batista (November 10, 2021)
  • PhenomX #2 with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and Chris Batista (December 8, 2021)
  • PhemonX #3 with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and Chris Batista (January 11, 2022)
  • Phenomx #4 with Aram Rappaport, Joe Miciak, and Chris Batista (February 9, 2022)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ There are conflicting sources regarding Leguizamo's birth year. While sources prior to Finding Your Roots airing state his age as having been born on July 22, 1964,[2] the episode of Finding Your Roots in which he appears briefly shows a family tree which states a birth date of July 22, 1960.[1]13:00

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Stated on Finding Your Roots Season 8, Episode 7: Incredible Journeys, February 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "50 people turning 50 in 2014". CNN. October 3, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "The Brothers Garcia Reboot The Garcias Is Coming to HBO Max with Original Cast". Movieweb. April 30, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  4. ^ "John Leguizamo". emmys.com. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  5. ^ "15 History-Making Latinos at the Emmys". AARP. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "Bloodline Season 2: John Leguizamo Nabs 'Violent' Series-Regular Role". TVLine. August 20, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Reyes, Raul A. (April 13, 2023). "'Leguizamo Does America' takes viewers on a road trip, Latino style". NBC News. NBCUniversal. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  8. ^ Leguizamo, p. 9
  9. ^ Gratereaux, Alexandra (October 6, 2011). "Leguizamo's Dad: John's Not Puerto Rican!". Fox News. Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "Huge crowd for Puerto Rican parade". Eyewitness News. WABC-TV. June 13, 2011. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  11. ^ "John Leguizamo plans Emmy speech: 'I'm an immigrant and I bring great positivity'". www.nbcnews.com. Associated Press. September 13, 2019.
  12. ^ Leguizamo, p. 12
  13. ^ Zook, Kristal Brent (July 19, 2001). "Comedy That Hits Close to Home". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 18, 2021. Born in Bogota, Colombia, to a Puerto Rican father and a Colombian mother of Indian ancestry, Leguizamo was raised in the multiethnic Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens.
  14. ^ Leguizamo, p. 16
  15. ^ "John Leguizamo: One-Man Firebrand | Psychology Today". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  16. ^ Zook, Kristal Brent (July 19, 2001). "Comedy That Hits Close to Home". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "One On 1: Actor/Comedian John Leguizamo". ny1.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Singh, Anita (January 31, 2012). "Hay Festival Cartagena: John Leguizamo on Hollywood". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  19. ^ Sengupta, Somini (May 4, 1998). "The Stuff of Memories And Manic Wit; A Comic Revisits Queens, the Source Of Material for His Broadway Show". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  20. ^ "HB Studio - Notable Alumni | One of the Original Acting Studios in NYC".
  21. ^ "Actor John Leguizamo Plays Not My Job". NPR. February 18, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "First Images: Brad Anderson's The Vanishing on 7th Street". DreadCentral. September 18, 2012.
  23. ^ Bibbiani, William. "Kill Point: John Leguizamo". Craveonline.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  24. ^ "Fresh Intelligence : Radar Online : John Leguizamo Trashes Everyone He's Ever Worked With". Radar Online. October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  25. ^ Gans, Andrew. ""The Happening," with Wahlberg, Leguizamo and Buckley, Opens Wide June 13". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  26. ^ Hurwitt, Robert (June 3, 2010). "John Leguizamo goes deeper, darker in 'Klown'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  27. ^ Isherwood, Charles (March 22, 2011). "A Queens Guy Toughs It Out in Hollywood". The New York Times. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  28. ^ "John Leguizamo: Klass Klown". Berkeleyrep.org. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  29. ^ "John Leguizamo to Play Lyceum Theatre on Broadway Starting Feb. 21". BroadwayWorld.
  30. ^ "John Leguizamo honored for one-man play "Ghetto Klown"". Fox News Latino. May 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  31. ^ "Drama Desk Awards Go to Book of Mormon, Normal Heart, War Horse, Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  32. ^ Wada, Karen. "John Leguizamo and 'Ghetto Klown' coming to the Ricardo Montalban Theatre". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  33. ^ Aucoin, Don (July 12, 2012). "In 'Tales From a Ghetto Klown,' Broadway minus the glitz". Boston.com (The Boston Globe).
  34. ^ Justin Kroll (October 29, 2013). "'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  35. ^ Van Syckle, Katie (May 7, 2014). "How Much Did the Chef Cast Actually Learn About Cooking While Making the Movie?". Grubstreet. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  36. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 29, 2013). "'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  37. ^ Parkin, JK (January 1, 2015). "Exclusive preview: John Leguizamo's 'Ghetto Klown'" Archived September 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Comic Book Resources.
  38. ^ "John Leguizamo Brings The Q Brothers' OTHELLO: THE REMIX Off-Broadway Tonight". Broadway World. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  39. ^ Villafañe, Veronica. "Lin-Manuel Miranda Releases Star-Studded 'Almost Like Praying' Song For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief". Forbes. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  40. ^ "John Leguizamo's LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS". Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  41. ^ "2018 Tony Award Nominations: 'SpongeBob SquarePants' and 'Mean Girls' Lead the Pack" Playbill, May 1, 2018
  42. ^ "John Leguizamo to Receive Special Tony Award". Broadway Buzz. NYC. May 1, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  43. ^ McPhee, Ryan (January 17, 2018). "John Leguizamo will Host the 2018 Obie Awards". Playbill.
  44. ^ "Review: Berkeley Rep's 'Kiss My Aztec!' brings past to present and future". Datebook. June 7, 2019.
  45. ^ "'Kiss My Aztec' turns the historical hysterical". San Francisco Examiner. June 7, 2019.
  46. ^ "BWW Review: KISS MY AZTEC! at Berkeley Repertory Theatre is a Hilarious, Socially Hip Historical Romp Through the Aztec Empire". Broadway World. June 18, 2019.
  47. ^ "Review: John Leguizamo's 'Kiss My Aztec!' a splashy and entertaining musical ode that puts a twist on history". The San Diego Union-Tribune. September 9, 2019.
  48. ^ "La Jolla Playhouse's 'Kiss My Aztec!' Takes a Wildly Satirical Look at Colonial History". Times of San Diego. September 10, 2019.
  49. ^ "Review Roundup: What Did Critics Think of KISS MY AZTEC! at La Jolla Playhouse?". Broadway World. September 12, 2019.
  50. ^ "2018 American Ingenuity Award Winners". Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  51. ^ "Waiting for Godot". The New Group. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  52. ^ Song, Katie (November 5, 2021). "'Encanto' Star John Leguizamo on Why the Film Is So Important: 'I Never Thought I'd See This In My Lifetime'". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  53. ^ "John Leguizamo Based 'The Menu' Character On Steven Seagal: "He's Kind Of A Horrible Human"". Deadline Hollywood. November 20, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  54. ^ Kit, Borys (February 14, 2022). "John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo Join David Harbour in Violent Night (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  55. ^ "'The Daily Show' Ratings: How the Rotating Celebrity Hosts Stacked Up". TheWrap. April 18, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  56. ^ "John Leguizamo on Exploring Latin History With MSNBC's 'Leguizamo Does America'". The Hollywood Reporter. April 16, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  57. ^ "Our Hood". Latinx Shakespeares. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  58. ^ "VOCES American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos". PBS.
  59. ^ "DOG-LOVER LEGUIZAMO WANTS WIFE TO TAKE A WALK". New York Daily News. November 21, 1996.
  60. ^ Ghetto Klown - HBO - 0:56:00 and 1:20:00
  61. ^ "Knot Ready". People.
  62. ^ "John Leguizamo". TV Guide.
  63. ^ "Art Imitates Life for John Leguizamo". Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  64. ^ "his daughter, Allegra, 15, and son, Lucas (Ryder Lee), 14" "Little Paln Island Resort & Spa". Miami Living Magazine.
  65. ^ "Lucas Leguizamo - Voice Actor". yatedo.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016.
  66. ^ "Lucas Leguizamo - EpicBuzz". Archived from the original on August 17, 2016.
  67. ^ "Nickelodeons 23rd Annual Kids Choice Awards Arrivals Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images". www.gettyimages.com.
  68. ^ "Inside Actor John Leguizamo's New York City Brownstone, an Antique Lover's Paradise". Architectural Digest. March 2, 2023.
  69. ^ "Leguizamo Among Honorees For MADE IN NY Awards". Broadway World. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  70. ^ Szalai, Georg (June 6, 2011). "Matt Damon, John Leguizamo, Late Sidney Lumet Honored With 'Made in NY' Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  71. ^ "John Leguizamo and Debora L. Spar to Receive Honorary Degrees". Marymount Manhattan College. April 12, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  72. ^ "Commencement Speaker John Leguizamo Celebrates the Resilient Class of 2022". Vassar College. May 24, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  73. ^ "August 2004: Voto Latino Launches". Voto Latino. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  74. ^ Lee, Wendy (August 2022). "John Leguizamo Has a Plan to Grow the Latinx Presence in Entertainment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  75. ^ King, Ashley (August 4, 2022). "NGL Collective Merges with mitú to Create 'Latinx Powerhouse'". Digital Music News. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  76. ^ Fish, Jesse. "John Leguizamo's East Village". The Local East Village. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  77. ^ Leguizamo, John (October 21, 2016). "'Too Bad You're Latin'". The New York Times. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  78. ^ "New Board Chair, Executive Leadership Named to Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino". The National Museum of the American Latino. February 2, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  79. ^ Genzlinger, Neil. "Why John Leguizamo Is So Invested in Telling the Country About Latino History". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  80. ^ Henderson, Odie. "Critical Thinking". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  81. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 27, 2020). "John Leguizamo Feature Directorial Debut 'Critical Thinking' Picked Up By Vertical Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  82. ^ "John Leguizamo Live at Rikers". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  83. ^ Trepany, Charles. "James Franco to play Fidel Castro in 'Alina of Cuba' following sexual misconduct lawsuit". USA Today. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  84. ^ Sharf, Zack (April 3, 2023). "Former Luigi Actor John Leguizamo Says 'Hell No' to Watching 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' Due to Casting: 'They Messed Up the Inclusion'". Variety.
  85. ^ Kurtz, Judy (March 31, 2023). "Elliot Page, Margaret Cho, John Leguizamo among celebs offering 'message of solidarity to trans youth'". The Hill. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  86. ^ Song peaks on the US Billboard Hot 100:
  87. ^ Song peaks in Canada:
  88. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of February 12, 2022". Billboard. February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
[edit]