Xolo Maridueña talks about “The Smurfs,” Latinos in Hollywood and the recent ICE raids

Xolo Maridueña, the Latino talent behind “Cobra Kai,” “Blue Beetle,”  and “Parenthood,” visited East Los Angeles and talked to CALÓ News about his new role in the new animated movie, “The Smurfs,” being a Latino in Hollywood and the recent ICE raids that have targeted the city he was born and raised in. 

On July 10, The Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, just a couple of miles from the community of El Sereno, where Maridueña grew up, turned completely blue for one afternoon to celebrate the upcoming release of “The Smurfs” on July 18. 

Maridueña, who joined the ensemble voice cast of the animated film, plays Brainy Smurf, a prominent character in the Smurfs franchise, known for his intelligence and role as Papa Smurf's apprentice and characterized by his thick, round glasses and his tendency to educate his fellow Smurfs. 

Maridueña, who is one of the Latino talents behind the animated film, said the project is very special to him and he was honored to be cast as the voice behind one of the most popular Smurfs.

“I love it. Getting to have such a diverse kind of folk behind the mics, I think, is really important. I'm very honored. I'm really proud to hopefully pave the way so that we can get more than a handful of folks in the door,” he said.

Like a true embodiment of character, when asked if there is anything he geeks about, he said food. “I love food. Food just feels like something that I keep learning more and more about. As I get to travel around and try new cultures and witness new types of living that I haven't seen before, I am constantly reminded that food is like the constant variable in so much of what we've made.”

Maridueña also presented “The Smurfs” official trailer and hosted a Q&A with kids from the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, East LA Rising and the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory. 

Maridueña told kids he grew up doing community theater in East L.A., a place that he said saw him grow up and opened up the very first doors for acting and appearing on the big screen. 

His mom, Carmelita Ramírez-Sánchez, leads a local nonprofit arts center and his dad, Omar G. Ramírez, is a Chicano artist. They have also instilled within him a deep love and pride for his community—a community that he has seen hurt by the recent ICE raid in Southern California. 

 ”I've been so blessed as a person who grew up here in Los Angeles to know my immediate surroundings and the folks that need help. And I feel like a lot of people who live in LA feel the same way. I've felt so grateful for the greater Los Angeles area for coming together to help communities being affected by [the ICE raids,]” he said.  “I appreciate everyone, all the families that came out today to help support and help kind of like keep pushing and keep working in these times.”

The day was also one of celebration as Maridueña received a Los Angeles Certificate of Recognition, presented to him by L.A. City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who also grew up in El Sereno and represents the city's 13th District.

“He’s living proof that big dreams in our neighborhoods can start here,” Jurado said.