John Alberto Leguizamo Pelรกez (born July 22, 1960) is a Colombian-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 theย Broadwayย stage receiving fourย Tony Awardย nominations forย Freakย in 1998,ย Sexaholixย in 2002, andย Latin History for Moronsin in 2018. He received aย Special Tony Awardย 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 significant roles in the fantasy adventureย Super Mario Bros.ย portrayingย Luigi Marioย and the crime dramaย Carlito's Way portraying Benny Blanco (both from 1993), followed by a role as drag queen Chi-Chi Rodriguez in the road comedyย To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmarย (1995), for which he received aย Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actorย nomination. Other films Leguizamo has since appeared in includeย Romeo + Julietย (1996),ย The Pestย (1997),ย Summer of Samย (1999),ย Moulin Rouge!ย (2001),ย Empireย (2002),ย Love in the Time of Cholera (2007),ย Righteous Killย (2008),ย The Lincoln Lawyerย (2011),ย The Counselorย (2013),ย John Wick (2014),ย John Wick 2ย (2017), andย The Menu (2022). As a voice actor, he narrated the sitcomย The Brothers Garcรญaย (2000โ2004). He playedย Sid the Slothย in theย Ice Ageย franchiseย andย Bruno Madrigalย inย Encantoย (2021).
Leguizamo is also known for his television roles includingย Freakย (1998) for which he received the 1999ย Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.ย This historic win made Leguizamo the first Latino to win this award in Emmy history.ย He received furtherย Primetime Emmy Awardย nominations for theย miniseriesย Wacoย (2018) and theย Netflixย limited seriesย When They See Usย (2019). He has also appeared onย ER,ย The Kill Point,ย Bloodline, andย The Mandalorian.ย In 2023, he hosted theย MSNBCย seriesย Leguizamo Does America.
