John Leguizamo is celebrated for his sharp, satirical one-man plays like “Latin History for Morons” and “Mambo Mouth,” which cleverly skewer cultural norms. However, he recently found himself frustrated when searching for a “culturally exciting” show to enjoy with his Latin friends, only to come up empty-handed.
“I thought, ‘Wow, that’s unbelievable,’” Mr. Leguizamo, 65, remarked. The actor and playwright, a Queens native who has called Lower Manhattan home since 1986, noted, “We’re just as numerous as white people in New York City, probably even more so, yet there’s nothing that truly speaks to us.”
Inspired, he decided to create the show he wished to see. This led to “The Other Americans,” a poignant play about a Latino family from Jackson Heights (where Leguizamo grew up) navigating life in Forest Hills after a hate crime. Leguizamo himself stars as Nelson Castro, a Colombian American laundromat owner, and the production is currently running at the Public Theater in downtown Manhattan through October 26.
“Theater is where you can genuinely take chances, where audiences expect you to push boundaries in storytelling, structure, and themes,” explained Mr. Leguizamo, who earned a special Tony Award in 2018 for “Latin History for Morons.”
His commute to the theater is a short six-block bike ride from his 4,500-square-foot Greenwich Village brownstone, which he purchased for $6 million in 2008 with his wife of 22 years, Justine Maurer, 57. They invested $2 million and a year into meticulously restoring it to its original 19th-century grandeur. Their family also includes a Bengal cat named Leonard Bernstein.
Recently, Mr. Leguizamo offered The New York Times a glimpse into his life during a Thursday in the preview period of his new show.
Mr. Leguizamo cycles to and from the Public Theater. While he appreciates comfortable sportswear, he makes an effort to dress up slightly for work.
This interview has been condensed and lightly edited.
EARLY START I wake up at 6 a.m. I tried to join the 5 a.m. club, but I just couldn’t manage it; I was too exhausted by 8 p.m. I truly need eight hours of sleep to function properly.
KNEES AND TOES My first action after waking is to stretch. I incorporate a lot of dancing into this show, so it’s crucial to maintain my flexibility to prevent any injuries on stage. I perform various stretches for my pigeons, quads, hamstrings, neck, upper torso, hands, feet, and ankles – I cover it all.
HORMONE-FRIENDLY HYGIENE I make sure to floss and brush with toothpaste free of chemicals. I also use a non-hormone-disrupting deodorant. A couple of years after my children were born, I became very intentional about researching and eliminating toxins and endocrine disruptors from my life. Having kids really sharpens your awareness of your environment. When you’re young and single, you don’t typically worry; you feel invincible.
So fresh, so clean.
SECRET RECIPE I start my day with coffee and skim milk, followed by my fruit. I prefer to eat fruit 20 minutes before anything else. My go-to is papaya with a splash of kefir and a drizzle of raw honey. Afterward, I’ll whip up a raw chocolate shake with banana, dates (no added sugar), raw cacao, cacao nibs, a teaspoon each of raw almonds and cashews, and a pinch of cayenne.
SILENT SWEAT My fitness journey really took off 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 equipment in my basement.
I need complete silence during my workouts. My day is typically filled with noise, so the quiet allows me to hear my own thoughts; it’s almost meditative. I aim for at least 30 minutes of intense exercise—push-ups, pull-ups, curls, squats, sumos, and abs.
FUNK IT UP I dedicate 15 to 20 minutes to dancing at least twice a day, just putting on music that inspires me and letting loose. 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 also perform the hustle in my play, and I’ve become quite proficient, so I strive to keep my hustle as authentic as possible.
COFFEE AND CREATIVE TIME I try to write for at least two hours daily, often longer. Writing is my favorite part of the day—it’s my dedicated moment for creativity, and I treat it as sacred. I work in our orange living room, and our cat often joins me, sometimes jumping on my computer and causing typos.
Mr. Leguizamo says he enjoys writing in his home’s orange living room, provided his cat doesn’t interfere.
TENNIS THROWDOWN Around 9 a.m., I drive to Randall’s Island for a couple of hours of tennis with my son, Lucas Leguizamo, 24. It’s one of the highlights of my week. I’ve been playing for six years, and with my son for the past two. It’s incredibly fun, and watching him play with such power is truly thrilling as a dad.
PRESHOW FIX I usually return home a little after noon and prepare lunch, which often consists of eggs with manchego cheese and avocado. We also have a chef who does meal prep for us twice a week, so I often enjoy meals like salmon or chicken thighs (prepared without salt or oil), served with broccoli and brown rice.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT I run lines with my assistant, Joe. He’s exceptional at it because he’s also an actor, making the sessions engaging and enjoyable. I always go over any challenging passages at least five times.
Running lines.
REHEARSAL I arrive at the rehearsal space by 1 p.m. There, I meet with the show’s director, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and the cast to review any new lines I’ve written, discuss Ruben’s notes for changes, and address any challenges the actors are facing. Afterwards, we have a dance class, followed by fight choreography, and then a semi-run-through. We usually wrap up around 4:30. I’ll then have physical therapy before heading home to rest and squeeze in another 20 minutes of writing.
CIRCLE UP I bike back to the theater by 6:30 p.m. to begin my warm-up routine—preparing my body, mind, and vocals, and connecting with the cast. Then, we gather for a beautiful circle, a tradition Ruben started, where we discuss our intentions for the night’s performance. We all hold hands, ready to go out there and deliver our best.
Connecting with the cast before the show. Mr. Leguizamo notes that audiences typically respond with laughter, gasps of horror, and tears. “I’m completely absorbed in the moment, so I can’t truly take it all in,” he explained.
POST-SHOW BITE After the show concludes around 10:30 p.m., I head to the Library at the Public Theater for either their deviled eggs or spicy vodka rigatoni, along with unsweetened iced tea. I’ll then spend about half an hour chatting with guests and other actors. Following that, I switch on my bike lights and make my way home, trying to avoid traffic.
TIRED AND WIRED I usually get home between 11:30 p.m. and midnight. I’m utterly exhausted and burned out, yet simultaneously wired, which is a peculiar sensation. My wife will inquire about the show, and then we’ll settle down to play Mexican Train, our current favorite game. If we have a bit more energy, we might squeeze in a round of backgammon. After that, we often 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 demands of the play, getting my full eight hours of sleep is becoming more challenging. Fortunately, I fall asleep quite quickly. Sleep is my favorite indulgence, so I make sure to prioritize it.