Leguizamo was interviewed by “El Pais” at his home in Manhattan, you will find a preview of this somewhat controversial (but sadly true) situation on the lack of opportunities that Leguizamo and many other Latino actors have in obtaining significant roles in Hollywood. You can click the link below to read the complete article.
For decades, long before it was fashionable, the veteran Colombian actor was demanding that Latinos receive more visibility on screen. Now, as he receives EL PAÍS in his residence, he emphasizes that in ‘The Power, the new TV series that he’s a part of, there’s more diversity than ever.
As stated above John Leguizamo has been very rebellious in this regard, demanding more representation and recognition for Latinos in Hollywood. “In my 40 years in the industry, I’ve tried to launch a lot of projects with Latino characters… [But] they don’t get off the ground. I’ve heard lots of excuses.
John Leguizamo’s Dad states, John lied about being Puerto Rican…what’s up Nene?
There’s a market, there’s talent… There are Latino actors who’ve had great success, such as Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us, or the cast of Hamilton on Broadway. Only the ‘yes’ from the executives is missing. And, if we [don’t get a yes], we’ll have to start organizing boycotts and protests.”
“A decade ago, an executive told me: ‘We don’t have to pursue the Latino audience, because the Latino audience already comes to us. We already have your money.’”
“My agents suggested that I give myself an Italian last name, so that people would believe that I was Italian and not Latin. I have a Latina friend who submitted her photos to different castings, some with her Latin name and others with an American name. She got callbacks to the ones that received her American name. That’s how things work here. Bruno Mars changed his name! Why didn’t he keep his last name (Hernández)?”
“But I refused, I would never do that. I would rather not find a job than pretend to be someone else,” he says.
He did end up finding jobs in Hollywood. But exactly what kind of roles did he get? Well, he played a drug dealer, a terrorist, a gangster… In Regarding Henry (1991), he shot Harrison Ford twice, which is almost like shooting America. In Carlito’s Way (1993), he shot Al Pacino three times, which is like shooting up the Actor’s Studio.
