If you were to close your eyes, you would recognize his voice long before your eyes set sight on him. And, when you would open your eyes, your mind would instantly recall dozens of his memorable roles from decades' worth of work. His name is Luis Guzman and Latinos In Entertainment recently had the pleasure of sitting down for an intimate one-on-one interview with this veteran of the silver and small screen.
We gathered under the watchful visage, painted in his likeness, that is proudly displayed in the Two Boots Pizzeria located in the Lower East side (advertising the "Luisaida" pizza slice named in his honor). Latinos In Entertainment took the opportunity to ask Luis (Loo-ee) about his past and future projects (including his newest starring role in the new, upcoming HBO original production, "How to Make it in America"); about the trajectory of his stellar career; and about his thoughts - garnered through his unique perspective as one of the leading Latino actors working today - on the past and present of Latino entertainment.
Following is what this uniquely singular, trailblazing actor shared with us:
Latinos In Entertainment: Thank you Luis for sharing your time with Latinos In Entertainment. To begin, I wanted to ask if you would share a little bit about your background with us - where you were born, where you grew up.
Luis Guzman: I was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico. My mom brought me as an infant to Katona Park up in the Bronx. Then from there we moved to Chelsea and then from Chelsea we moved to Greenwich Village. We lived in Greenwich Village from 1960 to 1969. It was the time to be in Greenwich Village because Greenwich Village at that time that was obviously, most definitely, the center of the universe as a kid growing up. Then in ‘69 we moved here to the Lower East Side and that’s where we’ve been ever since. I moved up to Vermont in 1991.
Latinos In Entertainment: I have read that you are a "Gentleman Farmer" in Vermont. How has that been?
Luis Guzman: I am. Last year I raised a bunch of chickens and lambs, got a bunch of horses. I do a little bit of gardening when I can. Maintain the land, you know.
Latinos In Entertainment: Luis, what inspired you to pursue the profession of acting?
Luis Guzman: I want to tell you I was never pursuing becoming an actor, that's just something I kind of stumbled upon. I used to do street theater in the Lower East Side; I used to hang out with a lot of poets. So if somebody wrote a play or something, they said "Louie, you want to play these 6/7 characters?" So, it was a hobby.
The way I stumbled upon acting in TV and movies was that I was working for the Henry Street Settlement here in the Lower East Side. A few kids didn’t show up one day so I went out to the street to look for them and then I ran into a friend who was writing for a show called "Miami Vice" and they were looking for people. He gave me a number, I made a phone call and three weeks later I'm co-starring in the series premiere of "Miami Vice." I had no clue what I was doing; I was just trying to make enough money to buy a used car so I could drive to Orchard Beach on the weekends. That was my motive - and my only motive - for doing that. I did it as a hobby for five years after I got in because I loved my job as a social worker, loved working with young people. That was in mid '85/'86 that I got that "Miami Vice" and in 1991 I stopped working as a social worker and pursued being a full time actor.
Latinos In Entertainment: Did you ever take classes?
Luis Guzman: I actually took classes after I got into the business because I always considered myself to be a dull knife and I just needed to sharpen my skills. So I just took lessons for two years.
Latinos In Entertainment: You’ve had some very memorable roles in your career. Of those, which have been the most memorable for you so far?
Luis Guzman: I loved my role in "Carlito’s Way" - Pachanga; I loved my role as Maurice in Boogie Nights. I loved my role in "Traffic;" I loved my role in "The Limey;" in the "Count of Monte Cristo;" I loved my role in "Anger Management;" I loved my role in "Mal de Amores;" I loved my role in "Nothing Like the Holidays." I think I’ve had some pretty good roles and they were roles that I have enjoyed and had such a great time doing.
Latinos In Entertainment: One of your latest projects is HBO’s "How to Make It In America." Tell us a little bit about the show's storyline and about your character, Rene.
Luis Guzman: The show's storyline is literally the same as the title of the show "How to Make it in America" - how to be successful, what you do to be successful - the hustle. I play this guy named Rene who back in the day burned a lot of bridges. I used to rip people off; I used to rob people; I went to jail. I came out and I’m trying to change my life; trying to go legit; trying to start a business. And, I've got to go back to some of those people that I burned bridges with and say "I'll do the right thing and I want to make as many of you people here successful with me. So, even though I burned a lot of bridges I want to make sure that I can give back something that I’ve taken from you."
Latinos In Entertainment: What spurs the character Rene to change his ways?
Luis Guzman: I guess I got tired of going in and out of jail. I really wanted to change my life. I wanted to, not only for myself but to empower other people, and the only way I know I can do that is by legitimizing myself and going into some kind of business.
Latinos In Entertainment: What are some of your other current projects and what are some of your future projects?
Luis Guzman: Well, I'm involved with Casper Martinez of Latino Film Chatter and Agustin in trying to develop a script based on a book titled "Bodega Dreams" that was written by Hector Quinones. I think it’s one of the great literary books that have come along in a long, long time. That’s one thing that I’m pursuing. Doing this show "How to Make it in America" hopefully doing some kind of comedy stuff because I love comedy; and raising five kids - that’s like my biggest project. And, keeping my wife happy.
Right now my main focus is this show "How to Make it in America" it’s a great show, its' really well written.
Latinos In Entertainment: When will "How to Make it in America" premiere?
Luis Guzman: I think will premiere next year sometime - late summer or early fall.
Latinos In Entertainment: I'd like to shift gears a little to talk about the U.S. Latino entertainment scene in general and ask you that, as one of the most recognizable Latino faces on film and television – what have been your experiences as a Latino actor in Hollywood? What, if any, changes have you seen in the portrayal of Latinos since you started in the industry?
Luis Guzman: You know I know I'm Puerto Rican; I know I speak Spanish; I know I have a wonderful culture and a wonderful background that comes with me. I know I'm different but I never really come into a situation thinking "Ok I'm this Latin guy working on this project." I would never deny who I am, where I come from because I take a lot of pride in who I am and where I come from but I just approach what I do as "I'm another human being just doing my thing." Again, I know who I am and where I come from but I guess after a while – because I get asked this question so many times and I’ve had to really keep thinking about it and rethinking it and rethinking it - it's not something that I dwell on anymore.
Look, you know what? Thirty years ago it was an issue; thirty years later I don't think it’s that much of an issue. I just think that we have talent within our community – writing; directing; acting; music; makeup; hair; special FX; stunts. We're just a part of the mainstream, you know what I mean? I don't think it's a question of whether Hollywood is letting us in or keeping us out I just think it's a matter of "we've got to keep doing our thing" because we belong - just like anybody else.
I believe that it's no longer a Latin issue - your talent is going to take you as far as it takes you – no matter what you are or who you are. You could be Latino and the greatest actor in the world and you're going to get work and you could be Latino and have a sufficient amount of talent and that’s going to take you a long way too.
But, the thing about Latinos is – what's a Latino? Latino is blond hair blue eyes; Latino is what we call "pelo malo" with that chocolate skin; Latino is the jerry curls and stuff; Latino is the buzz cut. You know, that's the beautiful thing about Latinos - we come in so many shades and colors. I just think that, again, we just need to keep pursuing the art; the art of theater; of art; of TV because for us the possibilities are endless. I don’t think we should limit ourselves, I don't think that labeling ourselves is going to make a difference. This is who we are and this is what we do - take it or leave it.
I think the biggest thing is that we as, "Latinos," have to own a lot of stuff that we do nowadays. Quite frankly part of the problem is that you do a project and then you've got to go to somebody else to sell your project and when you sell your project your selling your ownership. I believe that that is something that we have to learn to do - own it - not because we're Latino but because it's a piece of art and you want to own your art.
That's my feelings about all that.
Latinos In Entertainment: What is your dream role? Is there a role or storyline that you would love to play that you think would be a culmination of showcasing your talent?
Luis Guzman: I don't know if there’s a dream role for me - I think there's a role that’s written really well for me. And that could be anything. I mean, I could be a doctor; I could be a hustler; I could be a romanticist; I could be a revolutionary. It just all depends on how well it was written and on my ability to give a life to those roles. I think a big part of it is how well something could be written for me and how well I could perpetuate that role.
Latinos In Entertainment: What would you like your legacy to be, both in Hollywood and in the Latino entertainment industry?
Luis Guzman: I just want my legacy that I was a human being; that I always gave back; that I did the work; that, in my own way I did open doors for other people; that I never forgot where I came from. And, that I was a good father and a good husband.
Latinos In Entertainment: Thank you very much for sharing your time with us.
My pleasure. I absolutely appreciate doing this. By my doing this I’m helping your cause - because your cause is my cause.
