Although he was born in a Spanish-speaking country and has understood Spanish since childhood, Crónicas (2004) is his first Spanish-language acting performance.

His parents encouraged him to maintain his Spanish, sometimes with bribes. They spoke to him in Spanish, but he usually replied in English.

Was considered for the role of Det. Rey Curtis on "Law & Order" (1990).

Although he was born in a Spanish-speaking country and has understood Spanish since childhood, Crónicas (2004) is his first Spanish-language acting performance. His parents encouraged him to maintain his Spanish, sometimes with bribes. They spoke to him in Spanish, but he usually replied in English.

Although he is about 5` 8" in reality, he has played two characters who are technically little people (under 4` 11"): the Clown in Spawn (1997) and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in Moulin Rouge! (2001).

Was nominated for two Tony Awards in 1998: as Best Actor (Play) and as Author of Best Play nominee, his one-man show titled "Freak."

For his role in Ice Age (2002), he tried a variety of different speaking voices for his character, Sid. After watching several hours of Discovery Channel footage of sloths, he developed the lisp, because sloths store food in their cheeks.

Son, Lucas.

Majored in theater at New York University and was the only Latino in drama class.

Began writing material for himself in high school, testing it out on classmates.

Grew up in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, New York.

Last name is actually pronounced: leh-gee-ZA-mo.

John`s father, Alberto, is Puerto Rican-Italian-Colombian. His mother, Luz is Lebanese-Colombian. They divorced when he was in his teens.

John and Justine welcomed son Ryder Lee, weighing 8lbs 1oz. [5 December 2000]

Daughter, Allegra Sky, born (with girlfriend Justine Maurer). [23 October 1999]

Dated Carolyn McDermott. [1986-1991]

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1991" in John Willis` Screen World, Vol. 43.

Was accepted into Lee Strasberg`s actors` studio and studied with the master for one day before Strasberg died. "I have that affect on people," Leguizamo quipped.

Moved from Colombia to the United States with his family when he was three years old.

Was voted "Most Talkative" in high school.

Spouse: Justine Maurer (5 July 2003 - present) 2 children; Yelba Osorio (27 August 1994 - November 1996) (divorced)

Born in Bogotá, Colombia