By KRISTOPHER GARCIA-SIMMS
I have spent the past two years capturing the story of Chris “Crazy Legs” Fonseca, a celebrated Latino stand-up comic.
Crazy Legs was the first physically disabled comedian to appear on late-night television. After struggling with alcoholism and the trappings of fame, Fonseca has been sober for 10 years and has most recently been touring with Dave Chappelle who appears in his upcoming documentary.
fonseca.com Fonseca has resurrected his career with the help of his famous friends, and tells us his sometimes tragic, often hilarious, and ultimately inspirational story. Currently, I am raising funds to complete the documentary project. On June 15, I will be filming a comedy special for Fonseca. The show is titled, Crazy Legs, Forty Years of Funny. Go to this link to register for this fun-filled event, Forty Years of Funny. http://www.crazylegsfonseca.com
When I helped Chris travel to one of his shows, I came to understand how Cerebral Palsy impacts his day-to-day life. With the wheelchair, getting from point A to B isn’t so simple. What do you do when there’s no ramp to the stage or when the handicapped bathroom is out of order?
I faced a few moments of despair, and that was only from helping my friend travel to a single show. I asked him, “Is all of this worth it?” I soon got the answer. When Chris took the stage, he went from sitting in a wheelchair to being able to fly.
Dave Chappelle echoed this sentiment when he told us, “When Chris Fonseca is on stage, he grows from a handicapped man into a giant.”
About the author
Kristopher Garcia-Simms is a Denver based author, film producer and screenwriter. He was born and grew up in Pueblo and listened to his parent’s and grandparent’s stories from the San Luis Valley and the Southwest and now he is telling these stories so they are not forgotten.
Kris holds a master’s degree from the University of Arizona where he was a Knowledge River Scholar — a Library Science cohort that advances information issues impacting Latino and Native American communities.
During his graduate assistantship at the University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections, he came across a hoard of old screenplays and was captivated by the power and form of the film script and went on to study screenwriting, film history, theory and research. After receiving his master’s degree, he returned to Colorado to make movies in some of the most picturesque places in the nation.
He wrote and produced his first feature film, “Alien Valley,” in 2015 about the calf mutilations in the San Luis Valley. He wrote the horror novella, “Red Moon Night,” in 2019, a personal family tale about La Llorona. His screenplay, “Vessel,” was a finalist in the State 32: Microbudget Horror Script competition.
In early 2024, Kris released the “High Roller Heist” podcast. He co-wrote, co-produced and hosted “The High Roller Heist “which made it to No. 2 in Society and Culture and cracked the Top 25 in Apple podcasts nationally. He is now working on a podcast about La Llorona.
Kristopher Garcia-Simms is the son of Charlene Garcia-Simms and the late Eduard Terrones-Simms
For more information on Kris’ projects please visit: Krissimms.com
