John Leguizamo recently admitted in an interview with Business Insider that he regrets turning down significant roles during his career. One of the roles he cited was that of Nigel Kipling in The Devil Wears Prada, a part eventually played by Stanley Tucci. Leguizamo also mentioned turning down roles in films such as Happy Feet, which he avoided due to concerns about being typecast after his success in Ice Age. The late Robin Williams ended up landing that role. Additionally, Leguizamo passed on the role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which Vince Vaughn ultimately took, as he felt slighted by being offered a lower salary compared to the leads, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Leguizamo opened up about his hesitancy with a particular role in Carlito’s Way before signing on to play Benny Blanco from the Bronx alongside Al Pacino. Despite initially turning down the offer multiple times due to feeling pigeonholed into playing drug dealers, Leguizamo eventually accepted the role after learning that Benicio del Toro was also being considered for it. Carlito’s Way, along with Super Mario Bros, are considered to be breakout roles for Leguizamo, who has built a diverse Hollywood resume over the years that includes roles in films such as Die Hard 2, Regarding Henry, and Moulin Rouge!.
The actor also talked about the success he found through the Ice Age franchise, where he voiced the character Sid the sloth in multiple films and their successful sequels. Despite initially turning down the role in Happy Feet to avoid being typecast in animated films after Ice Age, Leguizamo expressed regret at missing out on the opportunity and acknowledging his decision as short-sighted. He reflected on his career trajectory, which includes working with esteemed acting teachers and being typecast as drug dealers, leading to some missed opportunities.
Throughout his career, Leguizamo has also made appearances in various television shows such as The Brothers Garcia, ER, Bloodline, and Latin History For Morons. While he noted turning down roles in films like The Devil Wears Prada, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Happy Feet, with regret, he acknowledged that these experiences have shaped his approach to opportunities moving forward. Leguizamo’s candid reflections on his past decisions shed light on the challenges and complexities actors face in navigating the industry and making choices that align with their artistic vision and career aspirations.
