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John Leguizamo performs "Ghetto Klown" at the Wortham Feb. 23-25.

Class Clown

by Jody Schmal | Houston magazine | February 17, 2012

Latin loudmouth John Leguizamo, 46, is no stranger to crazy. He grew up in rough-and-tumble Queens and cut his teeth doing stand-up before winning movie roles like a gangster in Carlito’s Way and a drag queen in To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. He’s also made good doing uncensored one-man Broadway shows. His latest, Ghetto Klown—which hits H-Town’s Wortham Center Feb. 23-25—is his wildest yet. Tickets start at $29.50; shows begin at 8pm at the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater (500 Texas Ave., 713.222.5400, ghettoklownonbroadway.com).

You say Ghetto Klown is more raw than you’ve ever done before. You just have to say it like it is. And all of a sudden you’re walking in dangerous territory... my sexual failures and shortcomings, people who were d***s to me working in movies…

Like Steven Seagal? He runs like a woman, but he does hit like a 6-foot-5 karate dude. He says he’s gonna hit me when he sees me on a red carpet.

What’s the story there? We were doing this movie... First day of rehearsal, he says, [lowers voice] “I’m coming in and what I say is law, I run this place.” I started busting out laughing, because who the f*** talks like that? And he elbowed me against a brick wall so hard, knocked all of the air out of me till I dropped to the ground, and I was like, [tiny voice] “why, why...”

Your movie One for the Money with Katherine Heigl is out. She give you ammo for your next show? I wish she had. She was cool for a big superstar lady. I was like, come on.

What projects do folks usually recognize you for? The wealthier white people are like, [posh tone] “I saw all of your shows on Broadway.” My ghetto hardcore thugs are like [New York accent] “Bennie Blanco from the Bronx, man, you killed Pacino, man!” All the chicks love To Wong Foo. [High pitch] “Oh ha ha, you so sexy as a girl!”