John Leguizamo was born on July 22, 1964 in Bogotá, Colombia. He is an Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated American comedian, actor and producer.

He beginning his film work in the late 1980s, the native New Yorker had studied acting with Lee Strasberg, as well as with Wynn Handman at New York University. His stage credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream and La Puta Vida, with New York's Public Theatre; and Parting Gestures at INTAR.

In 1991, he created a sensation off-Broadway with his first one-man show, Mambo Mouth, earning Obie, Outer Critics Circle, and Vanguardia Awards for his performance in the show. The play was taped for HBO, which led to his next television special, Comedy Central's The Talent Pool.

He starred in Die Hard 2 (1990), Carlito's Way (1993), Moulin Rouge! (2001) and The Alibi (2006).

Leguizamo married Justine Maurer in 2003.

Filmography

• Righteous Kill (2008)
• The Happening (2008)
• The Ministers (2007)
• Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)
• The Babysitters (2007)
• Paraiso Travel (2007)
• "The Kill Point" (8 episodes, 2007)
• The Take (2007)
• "My Name Is Earl" (2 episodes, 2006)
• Lost Historical Films on the Ice Age Period (2006)
• The Groomsmen (2006)
• "ER" (12 episodes, 2005-2006)
• Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (2006)
• The Alibi (2006)
• Where God Left His Shoes (2006)
• A.K.A. (2006)
• Sueño (2005)
• Land of the Dead (2005)
• The Honeymooners (2005)
• Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)
• Untitled David Diamond/David Weissman Project (2005)
• Crónicas (2004)
• "Dora the Explorer" (1 episode, 2004)
• Undefeated (2003)
• "The Brothers Garcia" (2 episodes, 2000-2003)
• Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc (2003)
• Spun (2002)
• Point of Origin (2002)
• Ice Age (2002)
• ZigZag (2002)
• Collateral Damage (2002)
• Empire (2002)
• What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001)
• Moulin Rouge! (2001)
• King of the Jungle (2000)
• Titan A.E. (2000)
• Arabian Nights (2000)
• Summer of Sam (1999)
• Joe the King (1999)
• Doctor Dolittle (1998)
• Body Count (1998)
• Frogs for Snakes (1998)
• Spawn (1997)
• A Brother's Kiss (1997)
• The Pest (1997)
• Romeo + Juliet (1996)
• The Fan (1996)
• Executive Decision (1996)
• To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)
• A Pyromaniac's Love Story (1995)
• Carlito's Way (1993)
• Super Mario Bros. (1993)
• Night Owl (1993)
• Time Expired (1992)
• Whispers in the Dark (1992)
• Puerto Rican Mambo (Not a Musical) (1992)
• N.Y.P.D. Mounted (1991)
• Regarding Henry (1991)
• Out for Justice (1991)
• Hangin' with the Homeboys (1991)
• Words in Your Face (1991)
• Poison (1991)
• Madonna: The Immaculate Collection (1990)
• That Burning Question (1990)
• Die Hard 2 (1990)
• Revenge (1990)
• Gentille alouette (1990)
• Street Hunter (1990)
• Casualties of War (1989)
• "Miami Vice" (3 episodes, 1986-1989)
• Mixed Blood (1985)
• Madonna (1984)

Awards

• ALMA Award Entertainer of the Year 2002
• Drama Desk Award Outstanding Solo/One-Person Show "Freak" 1998
• Emmy Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program "Freak" 1998 - 99
• Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Solo Performance "Freak" 1998
• CableACE Award Best Comedy Special "HBO Comedy Hour: John Leguizamo's 'Spic-o-Rama'" 1993
• CableACE Award Best Performance in a Comedy Special "HBO Comedy Hour: John Leguizamo's 'Spic-o-Rama'" 1993
• CableACE Award Best Writing, Entertainment Special "HBO Comedy Hour: John Leguizamo's 'Spic-o-Rama'" 1993
• Theatre World Special Award 1993
• Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Solo Performance "Mambo Mouth" 1991
• OBIE Award Performance "Mambo Mouth" 1990 - 91