John Leguizamo bought 2 things ‘actors don’t have’ after first paycheck on “Miami Vice”

Shania RussellSun, October 11, 2026 at 5:20 PM UTC

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John Leguizamo; John Leguizamo in a 1989 episode of ‘Miami Vice’Credit: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty; NBCUniversal/GettyThe actor who appeared in several episodes of the ’80s series is set to play the villain in the reboot film, “Miami Vice ’85.”Key Points -

John Leguizamo reveals what he spent his first-ever paycheck on after landing a role on Miami Vice.

The actor who appeared in several episodes of the ’80s series is set to play the villain in the reboot film, Miami Vice ’85.

“It’s a karmic kind of thing. Circular,” the actor shared.

John Leguizamo is heading back to his Hollywood roots with Miami Vice ’85.

The actor, who made his TV debut with a small role in the original ’80s series, has been tapped to play the villain in the upcoming revival from Top Gun: Maverick filmmaker Joseph Kosinski. Leguizamo recently celebrated the exciting news while attending the Critics Choice Association’s 6th Celebración of Cinema & Television on Oct. 2, telling PEOPLE that it feels “incredible” to be back in the franchise.

Looking back on the show’s personal significance, he added, “It was my first check. I was starving to death. I was able to eat. And now here, 40 years later in my 60s … playing kind of the lead role in the film, it’s pretty exciting.”

Leguizamo shared that his role on Miami Vice not only provided his first-ever paycheck, but helped him pay for two things that are often obstacles for actors just starting their career.

John Leguizamo on ‘Miami Vice’Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

“It was food and rent,” Leguizamo said. “Two things that actors don’t have when you’re young.”

Leguizamo’s spending habits have grown more complex since the ’80s. The actor was previously candid about using up a big paycheck while discussing his lucrative role as Sid the sloth in the Ice Age franchise.

In July, the actor shared that being part of the $6 billion media franchise not only paid his bills but “got me a second and a triple home” and “paid for my kids’ college.”

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The Miami Vice reboot comes from a script penned by Nightcrawler Oscar-winner Dan Gilroy, with a star-studded cast led by Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler, alongside Alden Ehrenreich, Whitney Peak, Camila Morrone, and Danny Ramirez. Series creator Anthony Yerkovich will executive produce alongside Michael Mann.

The landmark TV show debuted back in 1984, kicking off the partnership between Metro-Dade Police Department detectives James “Sonny” Crockett and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, who worked undercover to infiltrate and combat drug cartels, arms dealers, and the violent cocaine underworld in South Florida. The film will see Jordan star as Rico and Butler playing Sonny.

John Leguizamo on Oct. 2, 2026Credit: Chloe Kern/WireImage

During his brief stint on the show, Leguizamo played Orlando Calderone, the vengeful son of Esteban Calderone, a major drug lord. He later returned to play another character, Angelo Alvarez, in season 5. While chatting with PEOPLE, the actor shared that his Miami Vice ’85 role marks a full-circle moment for his career.

“I was playing the son of the villain [in the series], and now I’m the dad,” Leguizamo teased. “Yeah, it’s a karmic kind of thing. Circular.”

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The name of Leguizamo’s mysterious villain — and whether or not it will be a character familiar to fans of the show — remains under wraps.

Kosinski’s film has been described as an all-new take on the classic TV series rather than a straight remake. It will again explore the glamor and corruption of mid-’80s Miami but takes inspiration primarily from the pilot and first season of Miami Vice, which spanned five seasons from 1984 to 1989.

on Entertainment Weekly

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”