John Leguizamo, renowned for his incisive, culture-centric one-man shows like “Latin History for Morons” and “Mambo Mouth,” found himself searching in vain for a “culturally exciting” play to enjoy with his Latin friends five years ago.
“I thought, ‘That’s unbelievable,’” recalls Leguizamo, 65, an actor and playwright who grew up in Queens and has called Lower Manhattan home since 1986. “We’re as numerous as, if not more than, white residents in New York City, yet there’s nothing for us.”
Driven by this void, he decided to create the play he wished to experience. The result is “The Other Americans,” a powerful story centered on a Latino family from Jackson Heights (Leguizamo’s childhood neighborhood), now living in Forest Hills, as they navigate the aftermath of a hate crime. Leguizamo takes on the role of Nelson Castro, a Colombian American laundromat owner. The production is currently running at the Public Theater in downtown Manhattan until October 26.
“Theater, for me, is where you can truly take risks. It’s where audiences crave bold storytelling, innovative structures, and challenging themes,” explains Leguizamo, who received a special Tony Award in 2018 for “Latin History for Morons.”
His commute to the theater is a mere six-block bike ride from his 4,500-square-foot Greenwich Village brownstone. He purchased the home for $6 million in 2008 with his wife of 22 years, Justine Maurer, 57, and together they spent a year and $2 million meticulously restoring its 19th-century grandeur. Adding to their family is a Bengal cat affectionately named Leonard Bernstein.
Recently, The New York Times spent a Thursday with Mr. Leguizamo during the preview period of his new show to capture a glimpse into his daily life.
This interview has been condensed and lightly edited.
EARLY START I wake up at 6 a.m. I attempted the 5 a.m. club but just couldn’t sustain it; I was too exhausted by 8 p.m. I absolutely need eight hours of sleep to function properly.
KNEES AND TOES My day begins with immediate stretching. The new show involves a lot of dancing, so I have to ensure I’m supple enough to prevent any stage injuries. I perform a full body stretch: pigeons, quad stretches, hamstring stretches, neck stretches, upper torso, hands, feet, ankles—everything.
HORMONE-FRIENDLY HYGIENE I floss and brush my teeth with chemical-free toothpaste and use non-hormone-disrupting deodorant. It was a few years after my children were born that I became deeply committed to researching and eliminating toxins and endocrine disruptors from my life. Having kids really shifts your perspective on your environment. When you’re young and single, you’re invincible and don’t typically worry about these things.
SECRET RECIPE I kick off my morning with coffee and skim milk, followed by fruit. I make sure to eat my fruit at least 20 minutes before anything else. My go-to is papaya with a touch of kefir and raw honey. Later, I’ll whip up a raw chocolate shake featuring banana, dates (no added sugar), raw cacao, cacao nibs, a teaspoon of raw almonds, a teaspoon of raw cashews, and a pinch of cayenne.
SILENT SWEAT My commitment to fitness truly began when I performed in “Romeo and Juliet.” That’s when I invested in weights, a pull-up bar, and a half rubber ball. I keep all my preferred workout gear in my basement.
I thrive on complete silence during my workouts. With my day filled with so many sounds, I cherish the quiet time to simply hear my own thoughts; it’s almost meditative for me. I aim for at least 30 minutes of intense exercise, incorporating push-ups, pull-ups, curls, squats, sumos, and various ab exercises.
FUNK IT UP I dedicate 15 to 20 minutes to a dance session at least twice a day, simply putting on music that inspires me and moving freely. Currently, I’m enjoying some old-school tracks: Denroy Morgan’s “I’ll Do Anything for You,” Casual Connection, “Do It in the Dark,” Zhané’s “Hey Mr. D.J.,” Foxy’s “Get Off,” and Cheo Feliciano’s “El Ratón.” I perform the hustle in the play and have become quite proficient, so I make sure to keep my moves sharp!
COFFEE AND CREATIVE TIME I try to write for at least two hours daily, often longer. Writing is my absolute favorite part of the day, my sacred creative time. We have two living rooms, and I prefer to write in our orange living room. Of course, my cat often joins me, jumping onto my laptop and causing delightful typos.
TENNIS THROWDOWN Around 9 a.m., I head to Randall’s Island to play tennis with my son, Lucas Leguizamo, 24, for a couple of hours. It’s a highlight of my week. I’ve been playing for six years, and with Lucas for the past two. It’s fantastic; watching him dominate on the court is truly thrilling as a father.
PRESHOW FIX I return home a little after noon for lunch, which typically consists of eggs with manchego cheese and avocado. We also have a chef who prepares meals for us twice a week, so I often enjoy salmon or chicken thighs—prepared without salt or oil—accompanied by broccoli and brown rice.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT I run lines with my assistant, Joe. He’s an exceptional scene partner because his acting skills make the line practice engaging and fun. I go over any challenging passages at least five times.
REHEARSAL I arrive at the rehearsal space at 1 p.m. for a session with the show’s director, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and the cast. We review any new lines I’ve written, discuss Ruben’s notes for adjustments, and address any challenges the actors are facing. Following this, we have dance class, then fight choreography, and finally, a semi run-through. We usually wrap up around 4:30 p.m. After that, I’ll have physical therapy before heading home for a short rest and a quick 20-minute writing session.
CIRCLE UP I’m back at the theater by 6:30 p.m. to begin my warm-up routine—physical, mental, and vocal—and connect with the cast. Before curtain, we form a beautiful circle, a tradition Ruben initiated, where we discuss our intentions for the night’s performance. Holding hands, we prepare to deliver a killer show.
POST-SHOW BITE After the show concludes around 10:30 p.m., I’ll head to the Public Theater’s Library for some deviled eggs or spicy vodka rigatoni, accompanied by unsweetened iced tea. I’ll chat with guests and fellow actors for about half an hour. Then, I’ll switch on my bike lights and carefully ride home, hoping to avoid any traffic mishaps.
TIRED AND WIRED I usually get home between 11:30 p.m. and midnight. I’m utterly exhausted and burnt out, yet simultaneously wired—it’s a strange combination. My wife will ask how the show went, and then we’ll unwind with a game of Mexican Train, our current favorite. If we have a little extra energy, we might squeeze in a round of backgammon. After that, we’ll listen to a political podcast; she particularly enjoys comedian Tim Dillon’s podcast, or sometimes we’ll tune into “Ear Hustle” or Judge Napolitano.
OUT LIKE A LIGHT With the play running, achieving my full eight hours of sleep has become more challenging. Thankfully, I fall asleep quickly. Sleep is my ultimate indulgence, and I prioritize it.