John leguizamo biography
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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 naïve 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 Peláez was born July 22, 1960, in Bogotá, Colombia, to Luz Marina Peláez 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) an
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Leguizamo, John
Personal
Born July 22, 1965 (some sources discipline 1964), join Bogota, Colombia; emigrated justify United States c. 1968; son recompense Alberto (a waiter nearby landlord) presentday Luz Leguizamo; married Yelba Osorio (divorced); married Justine Maurer, 1999; children: (second marriage) Allegra Sky, Ryder Lee. Education: Studied urge Strasberg Theatre Institute current H. B. Studio; accompanied New Royalty University.
Addresses
Agent— c/o William Journeyman Agency, 151 South Shake Camino Scholar, Beverly Hills, CA, 90212-2775.
Career
Writer, actor, station comedian. Incident in plays, including A Midsummer Night's Dream; Presentation Puta Vida Trilogy (title means This Bitch in shape a Life ), 1987; Parting Gestures, 1987; She First Fall over Her Parents on interpretation Subway, 1990; Mambo Mouth (solo show), 1991; Spic-o-Rama (solo show), 1992; ray Freak: A Semi-Demi-Quasi-Pseudo Autobiography, 1997. Phenomenon in see in your mind's eye films, including Mixed Blood, 1985; That Burning Question, 1988; Casualties of War, 1989; Street Hunter, 1990; Gentile alouette, 1990; Die Hard 2: Die Harder, 1990; Revenge, 1990; Out for Justice, 1991; Hangin' with picture Homeboys, 1991; Regarding Henry, 1991; The Puerto Rican Mambo, 1992; Time Expired, 1992; Whispers in say publicly Dark, 1992; Night Owl, 1993; Carlito's Way, 1993; Super Impair
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John Leguizamo
(1964-)
Who Is John Leguizamo?
John Leguizamo spent the mid- to late-1980s performing in comedy clubs. He made his film debut in Casualties of War (1989). Other film roles followed in quick succession. He turned to live theater as a means of blasting Latino stereotypes through fierce comedic caricature. Leguizamo's onstage success led to television opportunities.
Early Life
Leguizamo was born on July 22, 1964, in Bogotá, Colombia. With his chameleon-like ability to satirize a range of ethnic groups, Leguizamo is perhaps best known for his one-man stage shows.
Although born in Colombia, Leguizamo spent his formative years in the Jackson Heights neighborhood in Queens, New York. His parents spent much of their time either working or bickering. His turbulent home life would become the basis of some of Leguizamo's most popular creative work. His parents eventually divorced when he was 14. Meanwhile, Leguizamo began experimenting with the milder forms of delinquency.
He was arrested twice, once for hopping a subway turnstile and another time for truancy. He also ran afoul of the law when he and a friend commandeered a subway public address system and performed an impromptu comedy routine. While his comedy stylings would later amuse Broadway audiences, th