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John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez or as he goes by John Leguizamo has been in the film industry for decades and still is going strong. Throughout his long career, Leguizamo has done it all from being a stand-up comedian, actor and producer. First starting out as a stand-up comedian, Leguizamo slowly used his comedic chops to appear in film and television. Then he got his big break in Super Mario Bros. and Carlito’s Way. From there, he has appeared in well over 100 films along with appearing over in 30 television shows or projects. Let’s not forget that he has appeared on Broadway where he has received four Tony Award nominations. Leguizamo is a legendary actor who has paved the way for many Hispanic actors and actresses. He still has a lot left in the tank.
Benny Blanco-Carlito’s Way (1993)
Starring alongside Al Pacino, this was Leguizamo breakout role. Pacino stars as Carlito Brigante, a Puerto Rican criminal kingpin who has just been released from prison and wants to go straight and get out of crime. Leguizamo plays Benny Blanco, a young buck who wants to make a name for himself and be the new Carlito. Leguizamo is a scene stealer as he played Benny as a wanna be tough guy with a weak ego but dangerous.
Tybalt Capulet- Romeo + Juliet (1996)
If you don’t like reading Shakespeare, then you can watch the modern adaptation of the play using Shakespearean English. Leguizamo plays Tybalt and is the cousin of Juliet. Leguizamo is a freakin BEAST as Tybalt. When he first appears on screen while lighting his cig and crushing the light stick makes him look intimidating. Leguizamo was awesome in this role and definitely a scene stealer.
Sid- Ice Age franchise (2002-Present)
By far one of his most beloved and funniest characters he has voiced. Leguizamo voices Sid, a ground sloth that is dull-witted, likes to yap for hours but is friendly, naïve and seems to be the most accident-prone animal in history. Leguizamo stated he tried over 40 voices but soon found the right voice by giving Sid his iconic lateral lisp. Leguizamo’s performances makes you love and laugh at this friendly sloth.
Clown/Violator- Spawn (1997)
A lot of people think this film is terrible and it is. Let’s be real, this comic book and the cartoon series were awesome as Spawn was dark and a total bad ass. Leguizamo plays the Violator whose main purpose is to guide Hellspawns towards fulfilling Malebolgia’s desire. In his clown form, Leguizamo is hilarious and brings a comedic edge to the film. Leguizamo is unrecognizable in this film as the short fat clown. Please don’t piss him off because when he goes into his demon form, he is frightful.
Chi-Chi Rodriguez- To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
In one of his best acting performances, Leguizamo was fantastic as the Latino firecracker, Chi-Chi. Leguizamo was nominated for his first and only Golden Globe for this role. As Chi-Chi, Leguizamo sets out to prove that his character is more than a boy in a dress and he delivers. I give major props and admiration to Leguizamo along with Swayze and Snipes to star in a film about drag queens. This was back in the 90s. They all pulled it off greatly.
Himself- John Leguizamo: Freak (1998)
Freak is a hilarious, solo performance written and starring John Leguizamo. The play debuted on Broadway and Leguizamo uses his time and stage to tell a semi-autobiography on himself while growing up. It was also directed by the great Spike Lee for an HBO special. Leguizamo shows his range and comedic greatness as he portrays different characters while growing up in Queens. Freak was a huge success for Leguizamo as he was nominated for a Tony Award but was culturally important as he became the first ever Latino(a) to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program in Emmy history. You know what we call that? BIG TIME!!
Himself- Latin History for Morons (2018)
One of his best performances. Leguizamo gives a hilarious, uncensored and very entertaining Latin History for Morons. I have to thank Leguizamo because I am a moron with Latin history. Hell, I’m even a moron with my own African American history. Leguizamo was nominated for a Tony and Emmy while giving a recap of the Aztec empire to stories of the unknown Latin patriots. Professor Leguizamo gives us a history lesson of 3,000 years in around an hour and a half.
Luigi Mario-Super Mario Bros. (1993)
This film started it all with a live-action film based on a video game and it didn’t live up to any expectation. This was Leguizamo’s big break as he starred alongside Bob Hoskins as Luigi Mario and their quest to save Princess Daisy from President Koopa. It was one of the worse films ever made at the time and Leguizamo has stated he was drunk all the time with Hoskins to make it through filming. I don’t blame him because this movie is bad on all counts.
Bruno Madrigal- Encanto (2021).
“We don’t talk about Bruno” was a monster hit for the film Encanto. Leguizamo voices the banished uncle of Mirabel Madrigal and has the ability to see the future. Leguizamo was excellent in this role as he portrayed Bruno as humorous but a tragic character. How would you feel if your mother straight up abandons you and you live within the walls of your house while talking to mice. I would be messed up also but Leguizamo managed to portray all those feelings for his character.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec – Moulin Rouge! (2001)
In the film that follows a Scottish poet who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge in this jukebox musical, Leguizamo plays the renowned and real-life figure of French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Leguizamo is great in this role as this gave him a chance to show his range of musicals by having, I think, two musical numbers. Leguizamo is great as the mad leader of the artists but also shows that he can play a character that is disabled and show that no matter what, they can be larger than life.
