Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life

Look I like John Leguizamo strictly as a good character actor. He was a scene-stealer as Benny Blanco in Carlito's Way and some other good stuff. While he's had an interesting life and overcome tough childhood, he fancies himself a Latin leading actor deserving of greater roles. This was written in 2006 before his memorable Aurelio role in John Wick and certainly before he became very vocal woke-left opponent of so-called white privilege and Donald Trump. Imagine if this was written the past few years how outspoken he'd be there.Leguizamo uses a lot of profanity to tell his comic stories, some of them funny. He's continually ragging on his limited opportunities early in his career by white Hollywood. But interesting a recurring theme seems to happen when describing his many prominent film roles, in movies i've seen repeatedly. His skill at ad-libbing and improving during his live comedy gigs like Mamba Mouth, Spicorama, et work great in those venues. But he's repeatedly developed bad rep w/many co-stars, conflicting w/them by improving when he should just read his supporting lines, thinking he's good enough actor to upset the apple cart of a major production. The starts in many of his known flicks did not care for him, nor him them and hasn't worked with them again. If one or two that's ok but look at this pattern:Kevin Costner (Revenge)Sean Penn (Casualties of War)Don Johnson (Miami Vice)Kurt Russell (Executive Decision)Steven Seagal (Executive Decsion)Patrick Swayze (To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar)Just to name a few.Then he tears into some famed directors, including Mike Nichols, claiming he cast him in stereotype role as latino burglar who shoots Harrison Ford in Regarding Henry. Funny I think Nichols could've cast numerous non-latino actors in same role, not caring a hoot re ethnicity of one-scene character that serves only to create Henry/Harrison Ford's disability.Then he decides to label a Casualties of War co-star - anonymous of course a full-fledged racist. Its known he's referring to co-star Don Harvey (Clark) though other sources have claimed Leguizamo was off-base in making that accusation.Another thing - how old is Leguizamo exactly. He use to claim - as in this book, he was born in 1964. But lately everything has reverted to 1960. That's a 4-year gap, not 1-2 years. Online gossip seems to feel he's vain and wants the '64 date but apparently it is 1960. I just think its vanity.Again I enjoyed this book and some stories but find it odd that he feels he's a top leading actor type while not being realistic that he's a good supporting actor who's done some good stuff. But let's not go overboard.He claims for doing Spawn (an awful movie btw) that he turned down the Jeffrey Wright role in Shaft as main baddie (Wright stole every scene he was in!) and also supposedly won the important role of Tom Hank's lover in Philadelphia, played by then newcomer Antonio Banderas (again did a great job!). I cannot see him in either of those roles doing better then who performed them. I even watched his 1st tv role - Ivan Calderone in Miami Vice series - yesterday. He was very raw and while looking the part, had very limited acting range. Even he said it "sucked" (agreed).Overall I give this a 4 out of 5 in that I finished in one day as an easy, somewhat interesting read. But let's not go overboard on his relevance. He wants to come off a true game-changing latino actor which he's not. Good not great. Sorry John.

John is amazing. I think he's a Puerto Rican Einstein. Congratulations to him for all of his victories!!!His prose is authentic and heavily influenced by New York, his ambition, his (what seems to be his) desire to be liked by everyone, his determination, his stamina and his POWER are all revealed in this book. I'm just now learning this is the 2nd book! I would have bought these books when they FIRST came out because I support my Latin bruthas from other muthas. His ghetto rhetoric is just FUN for me because I'm from Oakland, California and we created the word "hella." I always admire people from New York, especially the Bronx. I visited the South Bronx and the West Bronx twice, and John totally describes the culture very specifically. It's the first time I've read a book that's hella real about its background and education.I've been following my man here for at least the last 30 years. I've seen all of his TV shows and several of his movies.

I saw John Leguizamo in an interview sometime and thought he was a smart, funny guy so even though I've seen very few of his movies and none of the specials he is renowned for, when I saw this memoir, I picked it up in two shakes of a lamb's tail.It is a compulsive, good read. A little graphic at times for my delicate tastes but consistent with his persona. He's funny and smart, just like he was in the interview. He tells his life story, which is very interesting. He gives you the low-down on the actors he's worked with. Some were jerks, some were good guys. What I also loved was his honesty. He admits when he makes mistakes. I appreciate that.If he writes another memoir in twenty years, I'll read that one, too...assuming I'm not dead.

John Leguizamo is one of my favorite actors and performers. One of the best, most magnificent scenes in film is Mr. Leguizamo (as Chi Chi Rodriguez) walking with a boy she likes in this Midwestern small town. Chi Chi's been used and abused, like many a drag queen/trans person. In this boy, she finds love. She has to be wondering if he'll love her if he finds out she's not a "natural born woman." You see this tension slip in and out of her face...then you see the complete abandonment of all the conflict, and the sweet, enveloping acceptance of love - probably her first REAL love - and, for a few, precious, eternal moments...she dives off a mountain into love's full embrace.All this took place in a very small and short scene - Mr. Leguizamo's performance was ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT, ASTOUNDING and PHENOMENAL. He became that character; GENIUS PERFORMANCE.I liked the book - it could have been edited better (i.e., more consistently; more passages fleshed out more; some passages dropped entirely; etc.). A book about an individual who lives "hermetically" should not be phrenetic itself.Lucky, then, that Mr. Leguizamo is a masterful actor, producer, director, performer and human being...so read the book, already! :-)

In fact, this story feels more like a fairy tale. For a laugh and a rest, it's perfect

Very interesting book.

This book is interesting, takes you into the personal life of John Leguizamo and his relationships with this family members and his different movie and play roles. Gives you in-depth information about the movie industry, how it works and how he prepares for certain roles. The book is also oddly funny at times, Overall a good book about his life and his journey through his personal and professional life. Not really enthusiatic about the title of the book and would have liked a bit more information on certain movie roles and some more behind the scenes information but nonetheless I would recommend.

A good read and its refreshing to have an open and honest account of Hollywood life. Probably more suited to an American sense of humour in parts but then he doesn't seem overly keen on us Brits.I wish all biographical material was this honest though.

Excellent. A brilliant read. This guy's done it all.

Brilliant insight in to Hollywood, honest, funny and refreshing.

Very enjoyable

Very good