Leguizamo makes the case for increased representation at the Emmys: 'everybody played us, except us'

Besides showcasing the most diverse group of nominees in history, Sunday's 76th Emmy Awards also featured some memorable speeches by Latino luminaries such as Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, who handed out the award for Best Directing in a Limited Series or Movie while speaking 100% in Spanish, to the excitement of the audience.

Fellow star John Leguizamo took the stage later on in the evening and delivered another impassioned speech, this one in favor of diversity and inclusion in Hollywood, an issue the Colombian-born actor has been heavily advocating for in recent months, going as far as to pay for a full-page New York Times ad in June urging voters to choose candidates of color.

Leguizamo started off by referring to himself as "one of Hollywood's DEI hires", a jab at several GOP lawmakers who earlier in the year used the label to refer to Vice President Harris's gender and race, arguing that she is unqualified. "That's right DEI: The 'd' is for diligence, the 'e' is for excellence, and the 'i' is for imagination," the actor added.

Leguizamo then referred to the limited and stereotypical roles offered to Latino actors when he was starting off in the industry:

"For years, I didn't complain about the limited roles my people were offered — the spicy sex pot, the Latin lover, the maid, the gang banger. Turns out, not complaining doesn't change anything."

To support his point, he referred to instances of non-Latino actors portraying Latino characters, such as Al Pacino in "Scarface" and Natalie Wood in *"West Side Story", adding that "everybody played us, except us."

Leguizamo went on to acknowledge Latinos who were nominated for the Emmys, including Selena Gomez for "Only Murders in the Building", Sofía Vergara for "Griselda", and Nava Mau, who became the first transgender person nominated for a limited series acting Emmy for her role on "Baby Reindeer".

He also praised "True Detective: Night Country" for casting indigenous actress Kali Reis and made a humorous comment about Liza Colón-Zayas' role in "The Bear", a show that tells "the charming story of white people who are obsessed with Michelin stars and making kale taste good."

The speech transpired in Leguizamo's trademark style of humor and poignant insights. At one point he expressed hope about the effects this year's crop of nominees could provide:

"What I see here tonight makes me, well, almost happy and certainly less angry, because tonight is among the most diverse list of nominees in Emmy history. We need more stories from excluded groups: Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+ and disabled. And this show tonight is proof that our industry is making progress."

He concluded by introducing Cris Abrego, the first Latino chair of the Television Academy, who thanked Leguizamo for championing diversity and reiterated the need for more opportunities for underrepresented groups in the entertainment industry.