Leguizamo recently completed production on Overture Films' HUMBOLDT PARK, a heartwarming family dramedy about three siblings' return to their parent's home for the holidays in Humboldt Park on Chicago's northwest side. The film also stars Debra Messing and Alfred Molina.

Leguizamo was also seen in M. Night Shamalan's THE HAPPENING, opposite Mark Walberg. The film is a about a family on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity. 20th Century Fox released the film on June 13th, 2008.

Leguizamo also recently filmed RIGHTEOUS KILL for Overture Films, opposite Robert Deniro and Al Pacino. The film revolves around two Veteran New York City Detectives who hunt a vigilante who may be one of their own.

Also upcoming for Leguizamo this year are the independent films THE BABYSITTERS, opposite Cynthia Nixon, Brad Furman's THE TAKE, opposite Rosie Perez, and Franc Reyes's THE MINISTERS.

In the Fall of 2007, Leguizamo was seen in New Line Cinema's LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, the screen adaptation of celebrated writer Gabriel García Márquez' novel. Directed by Mike Newell, the film also stars Javier Bardem, Benjamin Bratt and Giovanna Mezzogiorno. The film charts the evocative story of an unrequited love spanning five decades in turn-of-the-20th-century South America, with the tale of 'Florentino' (Bardem) and 'Fermina' (Mezzogiorno). Leguizamo stars as 'Lorenzo Daza,' Fermina's father determined to keep them apart.

In the summer of 2007, Leguizamo starred in Spike TV's limited series "The Kill Point", in which he played the leader of the robbers, who happen to be a team of U.S soldiers who recently returned from serving in Iraq.

Also an accomplished author, Leguizamo penned his autobiography "Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends." Harper Collins released the fast-paced, hilarious, and poignant memoir in October 2006.

In spring 2006, Leguizamo was heard in theaters in ICE AGE: 2 THE MELTDOWN, in which he reprised his voice role as 'Sid, the Sloth' and co-stars alongside Ray Romano, Denis Leary and Queen Latifah. Additionally, the ever versatile Leguizamo appeared as a guest star in twelve episodes of NBC's cornerstone drama "ER" during the 2005/2006 season.

In 2005, Leguizamo earned rave reviews for his role as a popular TV reporter who's willing to sacrifice everything to get the story of a notorious serial killer in CRONICASA. The film screened at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and 2004 Toronto Film Festival and was honored as an Un Certain Regard selection at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

For his performance as a sensitive drag queen in TO WONG FOO: THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEWMAR, Leguizamo garnered a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Leguizamo's credits include LAND OF THE DEAD, Ed Burns' THE GROOMSMEN, LIES & ALIBIS, ASSAULT ON PRECINT 13, SUENO, SPIN, Baz Luhrmann's MOULIN ROUGE, (ALMA nomination, Best Supporting Actor), ICE AGE, Spike Lee's SUMMER OF SAM, Seth Zvi Rosenfeld's KING OF THE JUNGLE (ALMA nomination, Best Lead Actor), the cult hit SPAWN, Baz Luhrmann's WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO + JULIET, and DR. DOOLITTLE. Brian de Palma's CARLITO'S WAY, Brian de Palma's CASUALTIES OF WAR starring Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox.

Leguizamo also starred in HBO's "Undefeated," his feature directorial debut. Scripted by Frank Pugliese from a story by Leguizamo and Kathy DeMarco, the film is a drama about a young Latino boxer dealing with love and career success.

In 1991, Leguizamo created an off-Broadway sensation as the writer and performer of his one-man show, "Mambo Mouth" in which he portrayed seven different characters. He received Obie, Outer Critics Circle and Vanguardia awards for his performance. The play's HBO special led to his first television comedy special, Comedy Central's "The Talent Pool," for which he received a CableACE Award.

Leguizamo's second one-man show, "Spic-O-Rama," had an extended sold-out run in Chicago at the Goodman and Briar Street theaters before opening in New York. The play received numerous accolades including the Dramatists' Guild Hull-Warriner Award for Best American Play and the Lucille Lortel Outstanding Achievement Award for Best Broadway Performance. Leguizamo received the Theatre World Award for Outstanding New Talent, as well as a Drama Desk Award for Best Solo Performance. "Spic-O-Rama" also aired on HBO, receiving four CableACE Awards. "Freak," Leguizamo's third one-man show, ended a successful run on Broadway in 1998. Billed as a "Semi-Demi-Quasi-Pseudo Autobiography." "Freak" was described as "scathingly funny" (The New York Times.) Along with the Tony Award nominations for Best Play and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, Leguizamo won the Drama Desk and the Outer Critic's Circle Awards for Outstanding Solo Performance. A special presentation of "Freak," directed by Spike Lee, aired on HBO and earned Leguizamo the Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program as well as a nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special.

Fall of 2001 saw Leguizamo's return to Broadway with his "Sexaholix...a Love Story." Directed by Peter Askin, the play is based on the sold-out national tour, "John Leguizamo Live!" Leguizamo was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for "Outstanding Solo Performance" and the show received a Tony nomination for Best Special Theatrical Performance. "Sexaholix" aired as an HBO Special in Spring 2002 and also toured the country. Additional stage credits include "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "La Puta Vida" at the New York Shakespeare Festival and "Parting Gestures" at INTAR.

Raised in New York City, Leguizamo studied acting with Lee Strasberg and Wynn Handman at New York University. He was the recipient of the 2002 ALMA Award for Entertainer of the Year.

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Varela has just recently been honored at the 23rd Annual Imagen Awards with the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in the Vulcan Production's WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES. IFC Films has recently acquired the North American rights and will distribute theatrically and on Video On Demand beginning this December. She will follow that in late February, starring in Ted Hope and Anthony Bregman's SLEEP DEALER, through Maya Pictures.

Varela recently co-starred in Dimension Film's HELL RIDE (Weinstein Co.) opposite Michael Madsen and Disney's GOAL! 2, sequel to Milkshake Film's GOAL!

Varela received critical acclaim for Lawrence Bender Production's INNOCENT VOICES, directed by Luis Mandoki and produced by Lawrence Bender. This film was Mexico's official Best Foreign Language Film entry for the 78th Annual Academy Awards (2005) and was based on the true story of screenwriter Oscar Torres and his mother (portrayed by Varela) who braved the Salvadoran civil war. Varela received an Ariel Award nomination for her performance as well as Miami's New Herald 2006 Best Actress of the year award.

Varela's immense talent is evident by the diversity of the roles she has portrayed. She starred opposite Wesley Snipes in New Line's BLADE II, starred opposite Geoffrey Rush in TAILOR OF PANAMA, starred opposite Ashton Kutcher and Dylan McDermott in the feature film TEXAS RANGERS, and appeared as a recurring guest lead in the Emmy-winning FOX series ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.

Varela reached international stardom for her performance opposite Jean Reno and Gerard Depardieu in the mega-hit French comedy TAIS-TOI (aka SHUT UP) which remained number one at the French box office for many weeks, and for her portrayal of a free-spirited, liberal Spanish surgeon in the French film, PAS SI GRAVE, directed by Bernard Rapp.

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Samantha was first introduced to the public through pageants. Her titles include Petite Miss Long Island Photogenic 2001, Little Miss Model, Petite Miss International Ambassador 2003, National Petite Miss Photogenic Winner 2003, 3rd Runner up Little Talent (Singing), and her most valued title, Petite Miss New York State 2002.

Samantha's favorite school subject is writing. She loves to write poems, greeting cards, songs, feel-good quotes, miniature books and short stories, and would love to be published one day. She loves to sing and dance and considers herself a fashionista and a trend setter, always ahead of the curve with her style and dress. Her teachers say she is intelligent, funny, caring, an exemplary role model.

Samantha's heritage is varied, including Irish, Polish, El Salvadoran, Hungarian, Ukrainian, but remember that, above all, Samantha is an American Girl.

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