John Leguizamo says voicing Sid in 'Ice Age' paid for his homes and his kids' college

John Leguizamo says voicing Sid in Ice Age paid for his homes, bills and his children's college education

John Leguizamo is opening up about the lasting impact of voicing Sid the Sloth in the Ice Age franchise, revealing that the beloved animated role helped secure his family's future.

Speaking while promoting Ice Age: Boiling Point, the actor said the long-running franchise wasn't just creatively rewarding, it also transformed his finances.

"It paid my bills! It got me a second and a third home. It paid for my kids' college," Leguizamo said, reflecting on the success of the films.

The actor also shared that playing Sid gave him the opportunity to embrace a side of his talent audiences rarely see.

"It allowed me to be really as funny as I want to be," he said. "In movies, I'm more dramatic usually, but in that I got to be hilarious. I got to be so silly and create this incredible character."

Leguizamo revealed that Sid's iconic lisp was inspired by a Discovery Channel documentary about sloths. After learning that sloths often keep food in their mouths, he incorporated that detail into the character's distinctive voice, helping create one of animation's most recognizable personalities.

First released in 2002, Ice Age became one of the highest-grossing animated franchises, with Sid emerging as one of its most beloved characters alongside Manny the mammoth and Diego the saber-toothed tiger.

Leguizamo is set to reprise his role as Sid in Ice Age: Boiling Point, the franchise's sixth installment, which is scheduled to hit theaters in February 2027.