John Leguizamo, renowned for his diverse roles in movies such as Moulin Rouge!, Romeo + Juliet, and the John Wick series, has shared candid thoughts about his early part in the 1991 film Regarding Henry. Directed by Mike Nichols and written by J.J. Abrams, the drama features Harrison Ford as Henry Turner, a man whose life changes dramatically after being shot during a robbery. Leguizamo played the gunman who shoots Henry, a role he now regrets due to its reinforcement of negative Latino stereotypes in Hollywood.
Leguizamo explained that his involvement in the film was largely driven by the lack of employment opportunities for Latino actors, stating bluntly,
“I did it because I got no jobs. There were no jobs for Latin folk.”
Latino Representation Challenges and Typecasting in Hollywood
During a recent appearance on the podcast Fly on the Wall, hosted by comedians Dana Carvey and David Spade, Leguizamo discussed the difficulties he faced breaking into the film industry as a Latino actor. Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian in New York clubs during the 1980s, he later transitioned into film, but encountered persistent stereotyping. Reflecting on his role in Regarding Henry, he voiced strong frustration:
“You know, I was kind of humiliated by it. I did it because I got no jobs. There were no jobs for Latin folk. There just weren’t.
I’m not going to lie. It was like white doctor, white lawyer, white husband, white lover, Latino drug dealer. They just want to see great shows, but they just weren’t casting us. When I got Regarding Henry, it was a drug dealer. I shoot this white guy. It was like, I’m perpetuating what they want to see, which is negative Latino images.”
This statement highlights how Latino actors were often confined to roles that portrayed them negatively, as criminals or drug dealers, while leading parts were reserved for white actors. Leguizamo’s early career exemplified this pattern, leaving him feeling marginalized and forced to accept roles that contributed to harmful stereotypes.
The Role’s Impact Amid the Film’s Release and Reception
Regarding Henry achieved moderate commercial success upon its 1991 release, earning over $87 million against a $25 million production budget. While audiences gave it a somewhat positive response, reflected by a 63% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critical reception was lukewarm, with the film garnering just a 49% critic score. Despite the movie‘s prominence and Harrison Ford‘s starring role, Leguizamo’s brief appearance as the gunman left him feeling overshadowed by the negative implications of the character he portrayed.
Leguizamo’s Struggle Against Stereotypes and Personal Pain
Leguizamo has long been outspoken about the necessity for improved Latino representation in film and television, which may explain why he views Regarding Henry as a regrettable moment in his career. He describes the character he played as fitting a narrow, derogatory mold:
“They didn’t have to say that to me as much. I was the flavor they were looking for, like a ghetto hoodrat. I had been working against that. All my acting teachers, when I was 17, they were like, ‘No one can understand you with that accent. Do you really speak that way?’
But there I am with my sloppy fro and I’m in the drugstore, I mean in the bodega, and there’s Harrison Ford and I’m robbing the place. Even talking about it just gives me PTSD.”
His recollection reveals not only the professional hurdles but also the emotional toll such typecasting imposed. The repeated reinforcement of negative images and limited roles for Latinos clearly weighed heavily on Leguizamo’s sense of self and career aspirations.
Broader Implications for Latino Actors in Hollywood
Leguizamo’s experience with Regarding Henry sheds light on the broader systemic issues within Hollywood casting practices during the late 20th century, which often restricted Latino actors to narrow, harmful types. Despite progress in recent years, his story remains a poignant example of how these early barriers shaped many careers. The actor’s openness about this past role emphasizes the ongoing need for diversity and nuanced representation in film and television.
As conversations about equity and inclusion continue in Hollywood, Leguizamo’s reflections serve as a reminder of the negative impacts of stereotyping on performers and audiences alike, underlining why industry changes are critical to fostering respect and opportunities for all ethnic groups.
