John Leguizamo is writing a book about Latinx history, Atria announced in a news release.
The Simon & Schuster imprint will publish the comedian and actor’s book, as yet untitled, in the spring of 2025.
Leguizamo, a native of Bogotá, Colombia, was raised in Queens, New York, where his family moved when he was 3. He began his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s, and has acted in movies including Casualties of War, Die Hard 2, and Super Mario Bros.
He has been nominated for Emmy Awards for his performances in John Leguizamo: Freak, Waco, and When They See Us, and a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor for his role in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. In 2018, he won a special Tony Award; he had previously been nominated for four of the prizes.
Atria says that Leguizamo’s book “promises a hilarious and accessible pop history of the mighty Latinx cultures. Through his trademark humor and wit, Leguizamo portrays the highlights and heroes of Latinx culture, from ancient indigenous civilizations to rebuilding and defining America in present day, incorporating stories of slavery and genocide to the revolutionary influences on music, writing, and other aspects of American society.”
Leguizamo is the author of several previous books, including Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends. He released an audiobook, Latin History for Morons, with Audible in 2019.
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
