“It could’ve ruined their careers”: John Leguizamo Calls Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze Too Brave to Accept 1 Movie That Was Certain Doom for Them

Pure intentions never come a long way when it comes to achieving stardom in Hollywood. John Wick star John Leguizamo seems to understand that but while the actor may hold a cynical view of the industry due to time spent behind the curtains, there exist some things (perhaps a movie role or odd jobs to pay oneʼs way through surviving as a struggling artist) that he imagines as simply being too awkward to be uttered in public.

Now, sufficient time has passed in the life and career of Leguizamo to serve as a cushion for his criticism, whenever or wherever it may apply. Such a protective cushion frequently comes into use when the actor brings up his fellow co-stars in the industry and serves to spill some tea about their roles that some still view as divisive beyond reproach.

John Leguizamo Revisits a Fond, Old Memory About Co-stars

John Leguizamo may be best known in recent years for his stint in Keanu Reevesʼ action franchise, John Wick, in reality, he has been a near-constant presence in the industry for almost as long as Brad Pitt himself. In such a prolific career, it is difficult to imagine not having several stories worthy of being revisited as a fond memory or retold as campfire gossip among old friends.

For Leguizamo, such a memory seems to be held in his time while filming To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar alongside Blade star Wesley Snipes and ʼ80s legend Patrick Swayze. Despite their tough guy action movie roles, their radically scandalous roles in the 1995 film were a shock to the senses. Leguizamo recalls in a September 2020 interview with A.V. Club:

I just realized that I’ve been a part of a lot of firsts. I mean, this is groundbreaking. For Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes—two lead action heroes—to take those roles, that takes huge courage. And I’m so proud of them for doing that. It could’ve ruined their careers.

People were stupid back then, and they would question their sexuality, which was…. People can be really ignorant. But they did it, man. And they went balls out, if I may use such an inappropriate term. And it was a blast, man. When we did the dance sequences together, to see the three of us trying to dance like drag queens… I would pay anything for that ticket. That was so, so funny. I was laughing all day long.

The road comedy film is centered around three New York City drag queens who take a trip to Hollywood to take part in and win the Miss Drag Queen of America Pageant. Wesley Snipes starred in the film as Noxeema, Patrick Swayze as Vida, and Leguizamo as an inexperienced drag princess Chi-Chi Rodriguez. Swayze was nominated for the Best Actor Golden Globe for his role while Leguizamo won a nod in the Best Supporting Actor category at the 53rd Golden Globe Awards.

Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze Redefined Pop Culture

In his time, Wesley Snipes may not have held as much legacy-defining identity as he currently does in relation to the modern pop culture scene. However, his role as the lead protagonist in the Marvel trilogy – Blade – became a cult classic upon release and still holds a fascination among fans of the Daywalker today. Mahershala Aliʼs MCU reboot of the vampire hunter has been in the works for a long time and is currently scheduled to premiere in November 2025 as the final film of Phase Five.

Patrick Swayze, on the other hand, has left an indelible mark on popular culture as well. His infamous 1989 film Road House was recently remade starring Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead and introducing MMA legend Conor McGregor in a comically villainous role. Swayzeʼs films, despite being popular subjects in the ʼ80s and ʼ90s have yet to lose their relevance in todayʼs culture.

To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar is available for streaming on Tubi.