Thanks to playing a computer geek-turned-unwitting government agent on the surprise hit series, “Chuck” (NBC, 2007- ), actor Zachary Levi emerged from relative obscurity to become a rapidly rising star. His portrayal of über-nerd Chuck Bartowski won over both audiences and critics with his over-anxious charm and techno-geek knowledge, some of which mirrored Levi’s off-screen persona. Because of his sudden success, Levi found himself the recipient of widespread attention, while earning accolades from various national publications, including People magazine, who named the actor one of the “Sexiest Men Alive” in 2007, and Entertainment Weekly, who included him in it’s “30 Under 30” list of actors to watch in 2008.Born on Sept. 29, 1980 in Lake Charles, LA, the future actor – who named Tom Hanks as the person he wanted to model his career after – moved around several times with his family while growing up until they finally settled in Ventura, CA. When he was six years old, Levi started acting in school and local community theater productions. After graduating from Buena High School, Levi starred in regional productions of “Grease,” “The Outsiders,” “Oliver,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Big River.” With a struggling actor’s salary, Levi took odd jobs to pay the bills, including work as a busboy, as an employee at Blockbuster and at a car wash. “It was character-building,” he later said.
Levi spent the early 2000s appearing in a couple of made-for-TV movies, including a supporting roles in “Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie” (FX, 2002), which he followed by appearing in the romantic comedy “See Jane Date” (ABC Family, 2003), playing one of Charisma Carpenter’s potential boyfriends. Appearances in various shows followed, with an hilarious turn as a bellman in a 2004 episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO, 2000– ) and a short recurring role in the crime drama “The Division” (Lifetime, 2001–04).
After spending several years landing minor acting jobs here and there, Levi finally made strides with his career in 2006 when got a “perfect” role, so to speak. For four seasons, Levi made audiences laugh playing Kipp Steadman, a sarcastic, scheming and highly-metrosexual magazine staffer who taunts Sara Rue in the brilliant comedy “Less Than Perfect” (ABC, 2002–06). That same year, Levi appeared on the big screen, playing Martin Lawrence’s clumsy FBI partner in “Big Momma’s House 2.” After “Less than Perfect” was cancelled, Levi starred in a handful of indie films in 2007, including “Imperfect Union,” “Ctrl Z,” and the thriller “Spiral,” which he also executive-produced.
The success of “Lost” (ABC, 2004– ) and “Heroes” (NBC, 2006– ) paved the way for a crop of shows that blended genres of action, comedy, drama and mystery. One such series was the Josh Schwartz-created “Chuck,” about an unsuspecting geek who accidentally downloads a database of international secrets into his brain. Levi, who enjoyed playing video games and had a charming average-Joe personality like his television alter ego, explained why the show was so successful: “It’s good mix between procedural and serial,” he said. “There’s a certain amount of mythos that you need to catch up on but it’s not like when you sit and watch ‘Lost’ with someone who’s never watched ‘Lost’ before…’Chuck’ is a little bit easier.” Levi also related to his character’s awkwardness around women. “Growing up I was always the best friend to the girls, not the boyfriend,” Levi said.
“Chuck” established Levi as a small screen hero for the MySpace generation, and also helped the actor transition into more feature film projects. In 2008, Levi starred in “Shades of Ray,” a romantic comedy about a Pakistani-American man about to get married when his long lost father shows up at his doorstep. That same year, he costarred with “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 1975– ) actor Keenan Thompson in the road trip comedy “Wieners,” then starred alongside Brandon Routh in the testosterone-fueled “Stuntmen.”