John Leguizamo celebrates diverse Emmy winners, nominees with emotional speech

John Leguizamo delivered a stirring message about representation at Sunday's Emmy Awards.

The "Chef" actor took the stage midway through the telecast, where he celebrated the night's diverse slate of nominees and winners.

"I'm one of Hollywood's DEI hires," Leguizamo said. "That's right: The D is for diligence, the E is for excellence, the I is for imagination. Everyone in this room tonight has dedicated their lives to diligence, excellence and imagination."

He reflected on growing up as a Latino kid in Queens, New York, and not knowing that "people like me could be actors." He pointed out how many white actors such as Natalie Wood ("West Side Story") and Al Pacino ("Scarface") have famously portrayed characters of Latin descent.

"Everybody played us, except us," Leguizamo said. "I didn't see a lot of people on TV that looked like me." For years, he continued, "I didn't complain about the limited roles my people were offered: the spicy sex pot, the Latin lover, the maid, the gang banger. Turns out, not complaining doesn't change anything."

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Selena Gomez tears up during John Leguizamo's Emmys speech

Earlier this year, the Emmy-winning comedian penned an open letter published in The New York Times, urging the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for diverse media representation at awards shows.

"What I see here tonight makes me, well, almost happy and certainly less angry, because tonight is among the most diverse list of nominees in history," Leguizamo said. "We need more stories from excluded groups: Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+ and disabled. And this show tonight is proof that our industry is making progress."

He shouted out his "incredibly talented Latinx brothers and sisters," including first-time acting nominee Selena Gomez, who could be seen tearing up during Leguizamo's speech. His remarks came at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which goes through Oct. 15.

The "Ice Age" actor also applauded Liza Colón-Zayas, who won best supporting actress in a comedy for "The Bear." The Puerto Rican actress is the first Latina to win in the category.

"People can see this and see that it is possible," she told journalists after her emotional acceptance speech. "Who would dream that that could be possible?”

Contributing: Pamela Avila, Edward Segarra, Charles Trepany