Andy Garcia: “I’m Not A Latino Actor.”
6 February 2009, 2:15 PM. By Alex Alvarez
In a press conference for his latest movie, The Pink Panther 2 (Why, God, why?!), Andy Garcia was quoted as saying, “I’m not a Latino actor, sincerely.” And, well. We think he has a point!
At the press conference, Andy said that, while he is known for being immensely proud of his Cuban heritage, he has tried (unsuccessfully, perhaps) to shed the label of “Latino” from being tacked in front of “Actor Andy Garcia.” He explains:
Everyone know that I love my culture and that I’m Cuban, but I don’t consider myself a Latino actor, nor do I want other to classify me in that way. All actors should be classified in the same manner.
Dustin Hoffman isn’t described as “Jewish, American” actor. I don’t think heritage has anything to do with acting ability; in reality, we’ll all actors. In my case, I happen to be actor who is American with a Cuban heritage that’s given me a certain sensibility and point of view that maybe others might not have.
Andy also went on to address one of the stereotypes of Latino actors that we most love to loathe:
It’s possible that I’m thought of this way, but I’ve never accepted a script where I’ve had to play the “Latin Lover.” I’m not interested in that type of film.
Personally, we tend to agree with Andy. While we can totally see the importance of choosing to classify oneself as a “Latino ____” in order to open doors for others in a particular industry that might not be especially welcoming or accepting, we have to wonder at what point does one stop being considered an ethnicity - or a race, or a gender, or a political party, or a religion, or a sexual orientation - and start becoming a multi-dimensional, complex human being that simply happens to belong to a number of different groups.
Andy’s point about being offered - and then rejecting - certain stereotypical roles also touches upon the idea that marketing oneself as one’s ethnicity might come with certain expectations: Latino writers being expected to always write on or be inherently interested in “Latino issues,” Latino musicians being expected to play salsa or bachata or… reggaeton.
Self-identifying as Latino does not necessarily equate to being, for lack of a better term, “a professional Latino.” Then again, when so-called Latino actors like Andy Garcia continue to take on roles that undermine stereotypes or preconceived notions of what a Latino actor’s career must look like, they can work to change public perception of what Latinos are expected to do and be.
What do you all think?
Rechaza Andy García ser un “actor latino” [El Universal]
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I think Andy Garcia’s best role ever was as Carmencita’s boyfriend on ‘Que Pasa USA’. Since then, eh. He’s typecast again and again. Playing an Italian once in a while isn’t quite breaking the mold.
Andy’s done his part to help promote Latino culture in a positive way. The best, in my opinion, was in helping to revive Cachao’s (Descanza en Paz) musical career. So he’s got the “proud of his heritage” thing covered. But Hollywood politics has to change before anyone considers Andy for anything outside of his regular lineup.
If he’s ever cast as a blind albino Japanese handbag designer, then I’ll believe he’s shed the label.
The label helps for affirmative action purposes (which I will continue to take full advantage of as long as anyone’s offering). But, otherwise, yes, I agree.
Are you listening Steven Bauer?? You don’t need to play a drug dealer all the time!
I understand. Latinos need to be normalized rather than marginalized in the media, pop culture. Besides, Garcia is someone who hasn’t forgotten his roots, though, which is key. He’s not “hiding” his heritage, but he’s not interested in being exploited either.
This reminds me a bit of a quote by Vladimir Kulich (Buliwyf in 13th Warrior) who stated his ideal character would be “Biff, with short hair, no accent, who works part time at the Gap, would save the world from the evil Eastern European / Russian (played brilliantly by Keanu Reeves) who schemes to merge Banana Republic with Starbucks and hold a momnopoly on the worlds decaf and T-shirt trade.”
Typecasting or worse Ethnicasting is part of the Hollywood trade, while I am glad Mr. Garcia passes on roles that would perpetuate negative Latino stereotypes it would be nice if others could get past day player status to be so selective.
I am not a Latino commentator…
When I used to be a newspaper reporter, I had to interview Tim Curry once, and he went into this long tirade of how English actors were always typecast as the villains or butlers. And he always took the roles to keep his career going and it bugged the heck out of him because he was tired of it. He sounded just like Andy Garcia does here! I guess everyone gets it all around. Andy can do no wrong in my book, he has had a wide spectrum of roles!