John Leguizamo is a pioneering artist in more ways then one. The talented actor of Latin American descent has not only carved a niche for himself in Hollywood, but has also been a very vocal advocate for Latin American representation in films. Over the past 30 years, Leguizamo has done the gamut of genres from action to drama to comedy while also playing strong-willed assertive personalities through all his roles. Starting with acerbic one man shows like Mambo Mama, Freak, and Latin History for Morons, Leguizamo took his Latino roots to mainstream Hollywood.
The Ice Age actor has now taken his crusade a step further by becoming a TV show host with Leguizamo Does America. In the show, the star travels through the length and breadth of America talking to Latin American descendants with a view to bring their history and culture to the fore. In an interview, Leguizamo also stated in no uncertain terms about the stereotypes that existed in the on-screen representation of Latin Americans and how he as an actor had to fight to rise above it.
John Leguizamo Calls Out The Super Mario Bros. Movie for Lack of Hispanic Representation
The much awaited The Super Mario Bros. Movie has released worldwide and John Leguizamo is having problems with it . The actor who became synonymous for voicing the character of Luigi in a live-action format opposite Bob Hoskins’ Mario in 1993’s Super Mario Bros, is now calling out the creators for their controversial casting choices for the 2023 film. With Chris Pratt and Charlie Day playing the main protagonists, Leguizamo questioned the lack of Hispanic representation in the film especially since both characters were of Latin American descent.
“No I will not [be watching]. They could’ve included a Latin character. Like I was groundbreaking and then they stopped the groundbreaking. They messed up the inclusion. They dis-included. Just cast some Latin folk! We’re 20% of the population. The largest people of color group and we are underrepresented.”
With talks of sequels and spin offs in the works, Leguizamo added that he would be willing to be a part of the projects provided there was more non-stereotypical Latin American representation.
John Leguizamo Ensured Employment for Latin Americans In His Show
With his new television show, Hollywood star John Leguizamo aims to bring Hispanic culture to the fore by travelling across the country to showcase his heritage and lineage. The Menu actor is also very aware that by being a role model and talisman for the community for many years in America, the onus is on him to ensure that he works towards creating a better creative space for his Hispanic counterparts. The first step for Leguizamo was to ensure that his show had sufficient representation of Hispanic technicians, directors and members of the crew.
Seventy-five percent of our crew was Latino, our showrunners, our writer and director. I found beautiful activists with no money doing the most incredible thing. I found great actors, choreographers, politicians. There are so many people doing amazing things across America not getting the flowers they deserve.
Leguizamo also added that he would want to expand his show to many more cities in the US for Season Two of Leguizamo Does America where there were more population of Latin Americans, thereby ensuring that his vibrant community and culture was appreciated by the world.
Source: Indiewire
