Podcast Summary: Joe and Jada – John Leguizamo on Playing Pablo Escobar, 'Carlito's Way', & Latin Representation in Hollywood
Date: April 7, 2026
Podcast: Joe and Jada (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Episode Theme: An in-depth, wide-ranging conversation with John Leguizamo that spans his iconic roles (notably Carlito’s Way), Latin representation in Hollywood, and his starring role in the new Hulu series Dear Killer Nannies, the first authorized Pablo Escobar show.
Episode Overview
This lively episode brings together legends from music and film—Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and special guest John Leguizamo. They swap personal stories, dissect Latino representation in entertainment, and dig into the cultural impact of gangster films such as Carlito’s Way and Scarface. Leguizamo also shares behind-the-scenes tales from his new series, Dear Killer Nannies, and the challenge of portraying Pablo Escobar.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. John Leguizamo’s Career and Impact
- Introduction & Respect:
Fat Joe and Jadakiss introduce Leguizamo by highlighting his versatility—comedy, drama, Broadway, and iconic gangster roles.
- “You think Queens, New York? You think one man shows like Freak. You think Broadway, movie screenshots... a man who turned pain into punchlines...” – Jadakiss [04:09]
- Comedy vs. Gangster Roles:
Leguizamo reflects on being seen as both a comedian and a tough guy, and the effort it takes to succeed in both lanes.
- “Why can't you do both? ... You could do both... Because they both demand different things from you.” – John Leguizamo [08:17]
2. Inside the Making of ‘Empire’ and Latino Filmmaking
- Creating ‘Empire’:
- Behind-the-scenes vibes: Fat Joe describes writing his song “My Lifestyle” in the trailer during breaks on set. [09:00]
- Leguizamo shares production stories—Empire was made for just $2 million and hit the top 10 box office, outlasting movies with much higher budgets. [10:04]
- Barriers in Hollywood:
Discussion on how Latino directors and casts have to fight harder for recognition, compared to their white counterparts.
- “If he was a white director and a white writer, he would have been offered everything... instead, you just got to keep retelling... you always got to keep begging, and it gets tiring.” – John Leguizamo [10:38]
- “We’re 20% of the population... Where is our 30% of the movies, of the casting, of the executives?” – John Leguizamo [11:17]
3. Representation in ‘Carlito’s Way’ & ‘Scarface’
- Latinos as Side Characters:
Leguizamo and the hosts discuss the casting of white actors as Latino leads (e.g., Al Pacino in Carlito’s Way and Scarface) and the missed opportunities for authenticity and Latino stardom.
- “The lead was supposed to be Puerto Rican, but it was played by a white guy... they wouldn’t let us be our heroes.” – John Leguizamo [14:07]
- They joke about not wanting to name powerful execs but instantly name Pacino for his legendary performances. [14:39]
- “I think a Latino could have played that role.” – Fat Joe [14:53]
- Who Inspired Benny Blanco:
- Leguizamo based his character on real people he knew, specifically a “crazy and dangerous” friend from the Bronx, which gave his performance its authenticity. [17:57-19:11]
- “I based it on somebody directly. That’s why I had that kind of fire and juice.” – John Leguizamo [17:57]
4. Hollywood’s Fear and ‘Safe’ Choices
- Studio Executives’ Risk Aversion:
- Fat Joe shares stories of Latino studio execs who, once in power, become too afraid to “pull the trigger” on new, riskier projects.
- “They scared to pull the trigger on the movie because if it doesn’t succeed, right then they’re fired.” – Fat Joe [12:52]
- Leguizamo calls out the “Ponzi scheme” mentality in Hollywood productions and mergers: "You can't have a production company that doesn't produce." [13:17-13:44]
5. Gangsterism: Glamorization and Reality
- Real Life Influence:
Fat Joe reflects on how Scarface influenced his and many others’ choices—sometimes negatively, molding criminal aspirations.
- "Scarface kind of like, destroyed my whole crew’s life growing up. We sold drugs ‘cause of Scarface. ... we were brainwashed.” – Fat Joe [16:16]
- Short-Lived Glory:
The hosts agree that the gangster lifestyle leads to short-term “runs” and long-term regret or imprisonment.
- “You have a one year run, right? ... then you get a good old 40 years for it from the feds.” – Fat Joe [51:53]
- Leguizamo echoes the need not to romanticize that life: “Not to romanticize or idolize this type of lifestyle. It’s a short term goal.” [52:48]
6. Dear Killer Nannies: The Authorized Escobar Story
- On Portraying Pablo Escobar:
Leguizamo describes the challenge and the uniqueness of Dear Killer Nannies, boasting about nailing the Colombian accent.
- “White actors in America... all have to play Hamlet. All Latin actors have to play Pablo Escobar... But I think I got the best accent.” [31:08]
- Research and Authenticity:
He did not meet Escobar’s infamous hitman ‘Popeye’, but met Escobar’s son, who served as a consultant for the show, providing intimate, never-before-told family details. [32:01]
- The show is told from the son’s POV, exploring the emotional complexity of a child raised around violence and paranoia, but ultimately breaking the cycle. [36:49 & 47:41]
- On Escobar’s son: “He authorized this show. He consulted on it. He talked to the writers. There’s dialogue... not script, these are spoken words that had a life.” – John Leguizamo [37:45]
- On Colombian Culture and Tourism:
Fat Joe reflects on the irony that Colombia continues to profit from Pablo Escobar’s legacy, while also being the source of national pain.
- "They still making money off this man that they murdered and they called him a criminal... to this day, Colombia is making money off of Pablo Escobar." – Fat Joe [43:36]
- Leguizamo clarifies: Colombians have a “hate relationship” with Escobar; the show is responsible, not glorifying him. [43:55]
7. Funny and Humanizing Moments
-
Money and Fame:
Fat Joe jokes (with a serious edge) about being careful not to give out how much he earns to avoid “ex-wives coming for lifetime warranty.” [23:30]
- On net worth websites:
“I gotta watch that cost more than what they say my net worth is...” – Fat Joe [24:57]
-
Gangster Friends & Boundaries:
Both Fat Joe and Leguizamo swap stories about distancing themselves from dangerous friends after turning legit, including giving old friends “severance packages” to stay away.
- “He’s the first that took the 30 grand and said, ‘I understand, Joe. You change your life…’” – Fat Joe [62:02]
- “I had a friend like that... he used to do tapes of kung fu movies... he murdered (someone) ... and wanted to meet up after he came out... We just can’t hang. I’m going to a path of cleanliness, goodness.” – John Leguizamo [63:55-64:51]
-
Subtitles & Spanish:
Hilarious exchange about watching the new Escobar series in Spanish vs. using subtitles:
- “I tried to do it without subtitles. Like try to go Duolingo with it.” – Jadakiss [34:14]
- “No, no, no, you need subtitles. Especially Colombia. They talk that...– Fat Joe & John Leguizamo [34:18–34:45]
-
Zany Shoe Jokes:
The hosts roast each other about sneaker-penny loafers and wild shoe choices.
- “He got sneaker penny loafers... Those are the skedaddles, yo.” – Fat Joe [33:44]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On Latino Representation:
“We’re 20% of the population. We over-index at the box office at 30%. ... Where is our 30% of the movies, of the casting, of the executives? I want that.”
– John Leguizamo [11:17]
-
On Playing Benny Blanco:
“I based it on somebody directly. That’s why I had that kind of fire and juice.”
– John Leguizamo [17:57]
-
On the Realities of Crime:
“You have a one year run, right?... then you get a good old 40 years for it from the feds.”
– Fat Joe [51:53]
-
On Escobar’s Legacy:
“White actors in America all have to play Hamlet… All Latin actors have to play Pablo Escobar... But I think I got the best accent.”
– John Leguizamo [31:08]
-
On Money and Fame:
“I gotta watch that cost more than what they say my net worth is…”
– Fat Joe [24:57]
-
On Letting Go of Dangerous Friends:
“He’s the first that took the 30 grand and said, ‘I understand, Joe. You change your life, I’ll stay out the way.’”
– Fat Joe [62:09]
Important Topics & Timestamps
| Topic | Timestamp |
|------------------------------------------|-------------|
| John Leguizamo introduced | 04:09 |
| Comedy vs. gangster roles | 08:17 |
| ‘Empire’ movie behind-the-scenes | 09:00–10:04 |
| Hollywood's double standard | 10:38–13:44 |
| ‘Carlito’s Way’ and Pacino | 14:07–15:19 |
| How Scarface influenced real life | 16:13–16:16 |
| Portraying Benny Blanco | 17:57–19:11 |
| Realities of gangster lifestyle | 51:53–53:43 |
| Dear Killer Nannies – Escobar series | 31:08–47:41 |
| Touring Pablo Escobar’s Colombia | 43:36–44:49 |
| Letting go of dangerous friendships | 61:47–64:51 |
| Subtitles and Colombian Spanish | 34:14–34:45 |
Tone & Style
The episode is conversational, raw, and real—full of playful roasting, mutual respect, and unfiltered storytelling from major figures in hip-hop and film. The tone moves fluidly between hilarious, serious, and reflective, much like the cultures and careers being celebrated and examined.
Conclusion
John Leguizamo’s visit to Joe and Jada is both a tribute to Latino artists who’ve had to “hustle twice as hard” and a candid dialogue about culture, crime, ambition, and change. The episode delivers a masterclass on Hollywood’s persistent struggles with representation, the emotional legacies of gangster films, and what it means to reclaim your story.
Watch for Leguizamo’s Dear Killer Nannies—out now on Hulu/Disney+.
