Actor John Leguizamo is bringing his passion for Latino history to the screen with the new three-part series, VOCES: American Historia. Inspired by his Tony-nominated play, “Latin History for Morons,” Leguizamo aims to shine a light on the rich and often overlooked history of Latinos.
In this series, Leguizamo examines both well-known and lesser-known stories of Latino history and contributions, spanning thousands of years. From ancient empires to the early 1970s, he explores how Latino history is intertwined with American history. The first episode, “Echoes of Empires,” premieres on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 9:00–10:00 pm ET on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app.
“American Historia” is filmed on location in Mexico and across the U.S. It features conversations between Leguizamo and over a dozen leading historians, anthropologists, authors, and experts. The series also includes readings by actors such as Benjamin Bratt, Bryan Cranston, and Rosario Dawson, who bring original source materials to life.
Leguizamo reflects on the impact of Latino contributions being written into history textbooks and how it could change perceptions of Latinos in America and within the community itself. The series challenges cultural narratives and explores the influence of great civilizations like the Taino, Olmec, Inca, Maya, and Aztec, which were decimated by conquistadors but left a lasting legacy in various fields.
VOCES: American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos airs on Fridays, September 27, and October 4 and 11, 2024, at 9:00–10:00 pm ET on PBS.
