John Leguizamo

Fast-talking and feisty-looking 'John Leguizamo' (qv) has continued to impress movie audiences with his versatility: he can play sensitive and naive young men, such as Johnny in _Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991)_ (qv); cold-blooded killers like Benny Blanco in _Carlito's Way (1993)_ (qv); a heroic Army Green Beret, stopping aerial terrorists in _Executive Decision (1996)_ (qv); and drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in _To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)_ (qv). Arguably, not since ill-fated actor and comedian 'Freddie Prinze' (qv) starred in the smash TV series _Chico and the Man (1974)_ (qv) has a youthful Latino personality had such a powerful impact on critics and fans alike.Leguizamo was born July 22, 1964, in Bogotá, Colombia, to Luz and Alberto Leguizamo. He was four 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' (qv) 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)_ (qv). His first film appearance was a small part in _Mixed Blood - Die Ratten von Harlem (1984)_ (qv), and he had minor roles in _Casualties of War (1989)_ (qv) and _Die Hard 2 (1990)_ (qv) before playing a liquor store thief who shoots 'Harrison Ford' (qv) in _Regarding Henry (1991)_ (qv). His career really started to soar after his first-rate performance in the independent film _Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991)_ (qv) 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' (qv): 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' (qv): Spic-O-Rama (1993). It played in Chicago and New York, and won the Drama Desk Award and four CableACE 'Awards' (qv).In 1995 he created and starred in the short-lived TV series _House of Buggin' (1995)_ (qv), 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)_ (qv), _Romeo + Juliet (1996)_ (qv) and _Spawn (1997)_ (qv). In 1998 he made his Broadway debut in 'John Leguizamo' (qv): Freak (1998), a "demi-semi-quasi-pseudo-autobiographical" one-man show, which was filmed for HBO by 'Spike Lee' (qv).Utilizing his distinctive vocal talents, he next voiced a pesky rat in _Doctor Dolittle (1998)_ (qv) before appearing in the dynamic 'Spike Lee' (qv)-directed _Summer of Sam (1999)_ (qv) as a guilt-ridden womanizer, as the Genie of The Lamp in the exciting _Arabian Nights (2000)_ (qv) and as Henri DE Toulouse Lautrec in the visually spectacular _Moulin Rouge! (2001)_ (qv). He also voiced Sid in the animated _Ice Age (2002)_ (qv), co-starred alongside 'Arnold Schwarzenegger' (qv) in _Collateral Damage (2002)_ (qv) and directed and starred in the boxing film _Undefeated (2003)_ (qv). Afterward, Leguizamo starred in the remake of the 'John Carpenter' (qv) hit _Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)_ (qv) and 'George A. Romero' (qv)'s long-awaited fourth "Dead" film, _Land of the Dead (2005)_ (qv). 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' (qv) 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.::firehouse44@hotmail.com