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 Fast-talking and feisty-looking John Leguizamo has continued to impress movie audiences with his versatility: he can play sensitive and na?ve young men, such as Johnny in Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991); cold-blooded killers like Benny Blanco in Carlito's Way (1993); a heroic Army Green Beret, stopping aerial terrorists in Executive Decision (1996); and drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995). Arguably, not since ill-fated actor and comedian Freddie Prinze starred in the smash TV series Chico and the Man (1974) had a youthful Latino personality had such a powerful impact on critics and fans alike.John Alberto Leguizamo Pel��ez was born July 22, 1960, in Bogot��, Colombia, to Luz Marina Pel��ez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo. He was a child when his family emigrated to the United States. He was raised in Queens, New York, attended New York University and studied under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg for only one day before Strasberg passed away. The extroverted Leguizamo started working the comedy club circuit in New York and first appeared in front of the cameras in an episode of Miami Vice (1984). His first film appearance was a small part in Mixed Blood (1984), and he had minor roles in Casualties of War (1989) and Die Hard 2 (1990) before playing a liquor store thief who shoots Harrison Ford in Regarding Henry (1991). His career really started to soar after his first-rate performance in the independent film Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991) as a nervous young teenager from the Bronx out for a night in brightly lit Manhattan with his buddies, facing the career choice of staying in a supermarket or heading off to college and finding out that the girl he loves from afar isn't quite what he thought she was.The year 1991 was also memorable for other reasons, as he hit the stage with his show John Leguizamo: Mambo Mouth (1991), in which he portrayed seven different Latino characters. The witty and incisive show was a smash hit and won the Obie and Outer Circle Critics Award, and later was filmed for HBO, where it picked up a CableACE Award. He returned to the stage two years later with another satirical production poking fun at Latino stereotypes titled John Leguizamo: Spic-O-Rama (1993). It played in Chicago and New York, and won the Drama Desk Award and four CableACE Awards.In 1995 he created and starred in the short-lived TV series House of Buggin' (1995), an all-Latino-cast comedy variety show featuring hilarious sketches and comedic routines. The show scored two Emmy nominations and received positive reviews from critics, but it was canceled after only one season. The gifted Leguizamo was still keeping busy in films, with key appearances in Super Mario Bros. (1993), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Spawn (1997). In 1998 he made his Broadway debut in John Leguizamo: Freak (1998), a "demi-semi-quasi-pseudo-autobiographical" one-man show, which was filmed for HBO by Spike Lee.Utilizing his distinctive vocal talents, he next voiced a pesky rat in Doctor Dolittle (1998) before appearing in the dynamic Spike Lee-directed Summer of Sam (1999) as a guilt-ridden womanizer, as the Genie of The Lamp in the exciting Arabian Nights (2000) and as Henri DE Toulouse Lautrec in the visually spectacular Moulin Rouge! (2001). He also voiced Sid in the animated Ice Age (2002), co-starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Collateral Damage (2002) and directed and starred in the boxing film Undefeated (2003). Subsequently, Leguizamo starred in the remake of the John Carpenter hit Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) and George A. Romero's long-awaited fourth "Dead" film, Land of the Dead (2005).There can be no doubt that the remarkably talented Leguizamo has been a breakthrough performer for the Latino community in mainstream Hollywood, in much the same way that Sidney Poitier crashed through celluloid barriers for African-Americans in the early 1960s. Among his many strengths lies his ability to not take his ethnic background too seriously but also to take pride in his Latino heritage. He has opened many doors for his countrymen. A masterly and accomplished performer, movie audiences await Leguizamo's next exciting performance.
Bio:
Fast-talking and feisty-looking John Leguizamo has continued to impress movie audiences with his versatility: he can play sensitive and na?ve young men, such as Johnny in Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991); cold-blooded killers like Benny Blanco in Carlito's Way (1993); a heroic Army Green Beret, stopping aerial terrorists in Executive Decision (1996); and drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995). Arguably, not since ill-fated actor and comedian Freddie Prinze starred in the smash TV series Chico and the Man (1974) had a youthful Latino personality had such a powerful impact on critics and fans alike.John Alberto Leguizamo Pel��ez was born July 22, 1960, in Bogot��, Colombia, to Luz Marina Pel��ez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo. He was a child when his family emigrated to the United States. He was raised in Queens, New York, attended New York University and studied under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg for only one day before Strasberg passed away. The extroverted Leguizamo started working the comedy club circuit in New York and first appeared in front of the cameras in an episode of Miami Vice (1984). His first film appearance was a small part in Mixed Blood (1984), and he had minor roles in Casualties of War (1989) and Die Hard 2 (1990) before playing a liquor store thief who shoots Harrison Ford in Regarding Henry (1991). His career really started to soar after his first-rate performance in the independent film Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991) as a nervous young teenager from the Bronx out for a night in brightly lit Manhattan with his buddies, facing the career choice of staying in a supermarket or heading off to college and finding out that the girl he loves from afar isn't quite what he thought she was.The year 1991 was also memorable for other reasons, as he hit the stage with his show John Leguizamo: Mambo Mouth (1991), in which he portrayed seven different Latino characters. The witty and incisive show was a smash hit and won the Obie and Outer Circle Critics Award, and later was filmed for HBO, where it picked up a CableACE Award. He returned to the stage two years later with another satirical production poking fun at Latino stereotypes titled John Leguizamo: Spic-O-Rama (1993). It played in Chicago and New York, and won the Drama Desk Award and four CableACE Awards.In 1995 he created and starred in the short-lived TV series House of Buggin' (1995), an all-Latino-cast comedy variety show featuring hilarious sketches and comedic routines. The show scored two Emmy nominations and received positive reviews from critics, but it was canceled after only one season. The gifted Leguizamo was still keeping busy in films, with key appearances in Super Mario Bros. (1993), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Spawn (1997). In 1998 he made his Broadway debut in John Leguizamo: Freak (1998), a "demi-semi-quasi-pseudo-autobiographical" one-man show, which was filmed for HBO by Spike Lee.Utilizing his distinctive vocal talents, he next voiced a pesky rat in Doctor Dolittle (1998) before appearing in the dynamic Spike Lee-directed Summer of Sam (1999) as a guilt-ridden womanizer, as the Genie of The Lamp in the exciting Arabian Nights (2000) and as Henri DE Toulouse Lautrec in the visually spectacular Moulin Rouge! (2001). He also voiced Sid in the animated Ice Age (2002), co-starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Collateral Damage (2002) and directed and starred in the boxing film Undefeated (2003). Subsequently, Leguizamo starred in the remake of the John Carpenter hit Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) and George A. Romero's long-awaited fourth "Dead" film, Land of the Dead (2005).There can be no doubt that the remarkably talented Leguizamo has been a breakthrough performer for the Latino community in mainstream Hollywood, in much the same way that Sidney Poitier crashed through celluloid barriers for African-Americans in the early 1960s. Among his many strengths lies his ability to not take his ethnic background too seriously but also to take pride in his Latino heritage. He has opened many doors for his countrymen. A masterly and accomplished performer, movie audiences await Leguizamo's next exciting performance.
Tivia:
For his role in Ice Age (2002), he tried a variety of different speaking voices for his character, Sid. After watching several hours of Discovery Channel footage of sloths, he developed the lisp, because sloths store food in their cheeks.Was accepted into Lee Strasberg's actors' studio and studied with the master for one day before Strasberg died. "I have that affect on people," Leguizamo quipped.His parents encouraged him to maintain his Spanish, sometimes with bribes. They spoke to him in Spanish, but he usually replied in English.Was voted "Most Talkative" in high school.Mentioned on The Bob and Tom Show that he turned down the role of Tom Hanks' boyfriend in Philadelphia (1993) to do Super Mario Bros. (1993).Moved from Colombia to the United States with his family when he was three years old.Majored in theater at New York University and was the only Latino in drama class.Last name is actually pronounced: leh-gee-ZA-mo.Although he is about 5' 8" in reality, he has played two characters who are technically little people (under 4' 11"): the Clown in Spawn (1997) and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in Moulin Rouge! (2001).Father of Lucas Leguizamo and Allegra Leguizamo with wife Justine Maurer.Grew up in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, New York.He is the son of Luz Marina Pel��ez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo. His family is Colombian. His paternal grandfather, Mart��n Vargas Cualla, was a wealthy landowner, and his great-great-grandfather, Higinio Cualla, was Mayor of John's birth city of Bogot��, the country's capital, for sixteen years between 1884-1900, significantly modernizing it. (His surname comes from his paternal grandmother, Mar��a Emilia Leguizamo).Was nominated for two Tony Awards in 1998: as Best Actor (Play) and as Author of Best Play nominee, his one-man show titled "Freak."Although he was born in a Spanish-speaking country and has understood Spanish since childhood, Cronicas (2004) is his first Spanish-language acting performance.Began writing material for himself in high school, testing it out on classmates.Was Considered for Desperado (1995) for the role of El Mariachi as he was a secondary choice if Antonio Banderas turned down the role.Met wife Justine when she was a wardrobe assistant on Carlito's Way.Was considered for the role of Det. Rey Curtis on Law & Order (1990).While John had often stated that he has Puerto Rican, Italian, and Lebanese ancestry, research by the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2012) disproved this. Within his Colombian roots, which go back centuries, he has Spanish, Indigenous, and Basque roots. His DNA test showed him to be of 59.4% European (mostly Spanish), 24.5% Indigenous, 3.1% North African, and 2.9% Sub-Saharan African, ancestry.Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1991" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 43.John's parents divorced when he was in his teens.Has the same birthday as SNL alum David Spade.Nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category for his role as Jacob Vazquez in Waco (2018), but lost to Jeff Daniels from Godless (2017).Former student of acting teacher David Gideon.First screen appearance was in the Madonna music video "Borderline".Grew up at 44-07 74th Street in Elmhurst, Queens, New York. After his parents divorced when he was ten he split his time between his father and his mother who lived at 86-11 Whitney Avenue, Apt 4A which was nearby.Graduated from Murray Bergtraum High School in New York, New York.Has a younger brother Sergio and two younger sisters, Maria and Emily. |
| Name: |
John Leguizamo |
Type: |
Actor,Producer,Writer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
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Business scope: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Model rank: |
212 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 03:25:20 |
| Height: |
5' 6?' (1.69 m) |
| Biography: |
Fast-talking and feisty-looking John Leguizamo has continued to impress movie audiences with his versatility: he can play sensitive and na?ve young men, such as Johnny in Hangin\' with the Homeboys (1991); cold-blooded killers like Benny Blanco in Ca |
| Trivia: |
For his role in Ice Age (2002), he tried a variety of different speaking voices for his character, Sid. After watching several hours of Discovery Channel footage of sloths, he developed the lisp, because sloths store food in their cheeks.Was accepted into Lee Strasberg's actors' studio and studied with the master for one day before Strasberg died. "I have that affect on people," Leguizamo quipped.His parents encouraged him to maintain his Spanish, sometimes with bribes. They spoke to him in Spanish, but he usually replied in English.Was voted "Most Talkative" in high school.Mentioned on The Bob and Tom Show that he turned down the role of Tom Hanks' boyfriend in Philadelphia (1993) to do Super Mario Bros. (1993).Moved from Colombia to the United States with his family when he was three years old.Majored in theater at New York University and was the only Latino in drama class.Last name is actually pronounced: leh-gee-ZA-mo.Although he is about 5' 8" in reality, he has played two characters who are technically little people (under 4' 11"): the Clown in Spawn (1997) and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in Moulin Rouge! (2001).Father of Lucas Leguizamo and Allegra Leguizamo with wife Justine Maurer.Grew up in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, New York.He is the son of Luz Marina Pel��ez and Alberto Rudolfo Leguizamo. His family is Colombian. His paternal grandfather, Mart��n Vargas Cualla, was a wealthy landowner, and his great-great-grandfather, Higinio Cualla, was Mayor of John's birth city of Bogot��, the country's capital, for sixteen years between 1884-1900, significantly modernizing it. (His surname comes from his paternal grandmother, Mar��a Emilia Leguizamo).Was nominated for two Tony Awards in 1998: as Best Actor (Play) and as Author of Best Play nominee, his one-man show titled "Freak."Although he was born in a Spanish-speaking country and has understood Spanish since childhood, Cronicas (2004) is his first Spanish-language acting performance.Began writing material for himself in high school, testing it out on classmates.Was Considered for Desperado (1995) for the role of El Mariachi as he was a secondary choice if Antonio Banderas turned down the role.Met wife Justine when she was a wardrobe assistant on Carlito's Way.Was considered for the role of Det. Rey Curtis on Law & Order (1990).While John had often stated that he has Puerto Rican, Italian, and Lebanese ancestry, research by the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2012) disproved this. Within his Colombian roots, which go back centuries, he has Spanish, Indigenous, and Basque roots. His DNA test showed him to be of 59.4% European (mostly Spanish), 24.5% Indigenous, 3.1% North African, and 2.9% Sub-Saharan African, ancestry.Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1991" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 43.John's parents divorced when he was in his teens.Has the same birthday as SNL alum David Spade.Nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category for his role as Jacob Vazquez in Waco (2018), but lost to Jeff Daniels from Godless (2017).Former student of acting teacher David Gideon.First screen appearance was in the Madonna music video "Borderline".Grew up at 44-07 74th Street in Elmhurst, Queens, New York. After his parents divorced when he was ten he split his time between his father and his mother who lived at 86-11 Whitney Avenue, Apt 4A which was nearby.Graduated from Murray Bergtraum High School in New York, New York.Has a younger brother Sergio and two younger sisters, Maria and Emily. |
| Trademarks: |
His characters often have Latin-American last names |
| Quotes: |
[on what was it like in the clown suit while filming Spawn (1997)] Like a penis wearing a condom.
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I see the new Latin artist as a pioneer, opening up doors for others to follow. And when they don't open, we crowbar our way in.
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Comics are much smarter than actors. Most comedians come from a hard life, and have to struggle a lot. You have to have a lot of skills. When you can hone all of that, and act, you're going to blow the world away.
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<hr>
[on improvising in movies] I always improvise, you know. That's my thing. Luckily, I'm a writer, so I always try... If there's great writing, improvising just adds a little bit more to it. Just takes it to another level. 'Cause an actor, believe it or not, really knows his character more than anybody else, even more than the original writer. Even more than the director. At some point, we know that character better than anybody else. Especially if you connect with it, and it's infinite possibilities that can come out of you. And I think the better directors know that they have final cut, and the more they let you go, the more choices they're gonna have in the editing room to create a performance or to change things. I mean, you just give them crazy choices and they can do whatever. A smart director, the more confident ones who have experience, know that in the editing room, it's all theirs. It's not a problem. It's the newer cats who haven't had experience who are sometimes a little too precious about their own words.
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<hr>
I love independent films, it's the only place as an actor you're totally allowed to breathe. You're not following the plot, or the next action beat, or promoting some big dumb movie. Independent film is for actors that love to act. There's more interesting storytelling. It's not about a paycheck, that's for damn sure. |
| Salaries: |
Spawn (1997) - $2,000,000 |
| Job title: |
Actor,Producer,Writer |
| Others works: |
Appeared on Madonna's music video for "Borderline". (1983)
(February 1998 - July 1998) Stars in the one-man show "Freak" (Cort Theater, New York City, New York, USA). Won Drama Desk Award Outstanding Solo/One-Person Show. Nominat |
| Spouse: |
Justine Maurer (June 28, 2003 - present) (2 children)Yelba Osorio (August 27, 1994 - November 1996) (divorced) |
| Children: |
Allegra LeguizamoLucas Leguizamo |
| Parents: |
Luz Leguizamo
Alberto Leguizamo |
| Relatives: |
Sergio Leguizamo (Sibling)
Emily Leguizamo (Sibling)
Marie Leguizamo (Sibling) |
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