‘There Have Been Lots Of Moments Where I’m On My Knees’: Zachary Levi’s Faith and Career Collide
By Movieguide® Contributor
Zachary Levi is one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, starring in blockbuster hits like DC Comics’ SHAZAM!, Disney’s TANGLED, and his latest, the Kurt Warner biopic AMERICAN UNDERDOG, which Movieguide® calls an “uplifting, entertaining sports drama” with a “strong Christian worldview.”
However, even success is unable to shield Levi from worries of self-doubt. The source of his confidence began with a lightbulb moment from childhood. In a recent interview with Newsweek, Levi shares:
As a four-year-old kid, I knew that knew that I knew that I wanted to be an entertainer. When I was four, I was cognizant enough to know that I could intentionally make somebody laugh, something that up to that point, I thought was just an accident. But once I knew you could intentionally do it, and I knew – I was emotionally intelligent enough at four to know that if somebody’s laughing, they are happy and they feel good – all of a sudden I had this magic trick that made people feel good and I never wanted to stop. It was everything I wanted to be.
Even from such a young age, Levi understood the divine hand leading his future. The driving force which propels him through times of doubt are self-confidence and knowing God set this specific path before him.
I felt like God had given me the talents and the abilities to do it well, and I’ve continued to do that. But I would say, that’s still a thing that you get challenged on throughout your career. I have had plenty of moments where I’m like ‘I don’t know that this is happening anymore, I think I might be done, there’s not much more effort I can put into this and still feel like I have a career that’s gonna go anywhere.’ There have been lots of moments where I’m on my knees and really wondering like, am I trying to force a square peg into a round hole?” Levi continues, “And then I’ve been so grateful and so blessed that something breaks, something happens. I learned a thing, or I grow in a way and then all of a sudden, there’s another job that’s available to me, that allows me to keep going on this journey. So, it’s a constant ebb and flow of that.
Levi, who is nominated for a 2022 Movieguide® Grace Prize® Award for Most Inspiring Performance for Movies for his role in AMERICAN UNDERDOG has never shied away from sharing about his faith.
As Movieguide® previously reported, Levi talks of the inseparable nature of his career and his Christian faith:
“My job on my set, I believe, is to first just love people and gain that trust with people where they know that I really do love them and care about their well-being, so that when they are running into problems, they will hopefully, at some point, come to me and ask me, ‘What is your peace all about? What is your comfort all about? Where do you get your love? Where do you get your talents?’ And I can turn to them and say without blinking, ‘Jesus Christ.’”
AMERICAN UNDERDOG is also nominated for multiple Movieguide® Awards, the Epiphany Prize® for Most Inspiring Movie and Best Movie for Families.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
- Content: +1Share:
- Content: +1