Who is Todd Levi?
A reformed advertising wanker who saw the light and took his first acting lesson at the age of 36, then gave himself to the shining allure of a life of poverty in the performing arts.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Drink less, take fewer drugs, avoid constant late nights doing show, seeing shows and partying and… no, wait. I like those things. Pretty much nothing.
Who inspires you and why?
Artists, actors, film makers, political activists…people who commit themselves utterly to the pursuit of something worthwhile and do not stop until they achieve it.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I have a small tree farm in Northern NSW where I’ve planted about 10,000 trees there over the last 10 years both for timber and bush regeneration. It’s modest but it’s real and where there was only grass, there is now a young forest. Also working on a bit of political satire with the immediate aim of overthrowing the Abbot ‘govtastrophe’. I think that would be much better for humanity than coal.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
A small tree plantation in Northern NSW.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Mostly good cheap restaurants, comedy venues, small theatres and bars with good music and extended happy hours, generally traveling by tram. All because there is generally far less of the above (particularly trams) where they come from.
What are you currently reading?
A Jack Reacher novel.
What are you currently listening to?
Double J. A bit of Leonard Cohen.
Happiness is?
Feeling an audience in the palm of your hand.
What does the future hold for you?
I expect to be cast as the lead in the surprise international smash hit film of next year. I’ve expected that for quite a few years, but the day may still come. Otherwise, more shows, more trees, more projects. There are a lot of stories to tell.
Todd Levi has had a long and successful career in Brisbane as one of that city’s leading voice over artists, heard on hundreds of commercials, promos and corporate films. Since deciding to train as an actor at the age of 36 he has gone on to have an equally successful career on stage and screen.
His film and television credits include Inspector Gadget 2 (2002), Fat Cow Motel (2003), The Sleepover Club (2003), The Marine (2006), Sea Patrol (2007/08), K-9 (2009,) Acolytes (2008), Subdivision (2008), Daybreakers (2009), Bad Karma (2011), Terra Nova (2011), Prank Patrol (2011), The Strange Calls (2012), Parer’s War (2014). He has also voiced characters in the animated series Farmkids (2008) and the video game series Rome: Total War (2007-08).
Stage credits include Twelfth Night for 4MS in Brisbane (2011) and since moving to Melbourne, Doomsday Devices (Sly Rat Theatre Company – 2014), Macbeth (Eagle’s Nest Theatre Company – 2014), Vile (La Mama – 2014), The Crucible (Eagle’s Nest – 2015).
Todd will be appearing in Sly Rat Theatre Company’s production of Pluck! at The Butterfly Club: 30 June – 5 July 2015. For more information, visit: www.slyrattheatreco.com for details.
Image: Todd Levi