# Zachary Levi

Zachary Levi Pugh (born September 29, 1980) is an American actor who is well known for his roles as Chuck Bartowski in the series Chuck and as the title character in Shazam! and its 2023 sequel, as a part of the DC Extended Universe.

## Quotes

* I was running to lots of other things, whether it was sex or drugs or booze or things to distract me from, to numb myself from the pain that I was running away from most of my life. The irony is that booze can give you this temporary relief, but then the next day amplifies that anxiety tenfold. So, then you’re running back to get more and it just becomes this vicious cycle.
** "Zachary Levi Reveals Mental Breakdown at 37 Led Him to Seek Treatment After “Lifelong” Battle with Anxiety, Depression" in The Hollywood Reporter (23 June 2022)
* My career was in a place where I felt like even though I had accomplished so many things up to that point, I was still, and to be honest, even now, I still feel this way. I feel like I’m a bit on the outside looking in. I’ve never really felt like I am a part of whatever the cool kid group is.
** "Zachary Levi Reveals Mental Breakdown at 37 Led Him to Seek Treatment After “Lifelong” Battle with Anxiety, Depression" in The Hollywood Reporter (23 June 2022)
* Prayer and meditation are very important, which are also somewhat synonymous, I think, in some ways. Sometimes my prayer is meditation. Sometimes I’m just there and allowing God to take over what that time is. I’m not really saying anything as much as I’m just spending time. I think one of the most important things, at least for me, is taking my thoughts captive. Our minds are so powerful, but they are so easily, so easily hijacked if we don’t really go, ‘Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I’m doing it again. I’m starting to speak ill of myself again. I’m starting to be harsh or critical of myself. I’m starting to judge where I’m at in my life.
** "Zachary Levi Reveals Mental Breakdown at 37 Led Him to Seek Treatment After “Lifelong” Battle with Anxiety, Depression" in The Hollywood Reporter (23 June 2022)
* I’ve gone through points in this where I felt really confident, and I’ve gone through some really heavy moments where I thought, ‘I’m crap in this show.’ Then for this to happen, it really smacks you in the face and says, ‘Listen to your people that love you and that are telling you you’re doing good work.
** "Zachary Levi Says Biggest Challenge of She Loves Me Is His “Own Brain”" in Playbill (19 May 2016)
* Honestly, the biggest challenge is just my own brain.
** "Zachary Levi Says Biggest Challenge of She Loves Me Is His “Own Brain”" in Playbill (19 May 2016)
* I know as an actor I don't want to sacrifice my morality or my integrity; I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
** "Exclusive! Zachary Levi on "Faith, Family and Football" in His Kurt Warner Biopic American Underdog" in Parade (28 December 2021)
* If you are taking shortcuts, cutting corners or essentially compromising your integrity... then you might get there, but how stable will it be? How long will it last? How fulfilling will it be? Look—I dunno—maybe there are people who've cut all kinds of corners and they get to the top and they're so stoked. But I can't relate to that type of person; I don't understand.
** "Exclusive! Zachary Levi on "Faith, Family and Football" in His Kurt Warner Biopic American Underdog" in Parade (28 December 2021)
* We all stumble, we all fall, we're all broken. But to highlight someone who, even through all that imperfection, is still trying to do what is right, to hold on to what is most valuable.
** "Exclusive! Zachary Levi on "Faith, Family and Football" in His Kurt Warner Biopic American Underdog" in Parade (28 December 2021)
* Not to say you can't make movies for the flock, that's great, too...I personally want to make movies that get to everyone. I want inspirational stories that inspire hope and faith to get to people that don't have a lot of hope and faith. I think this movie does that; there's a natural inspirational aspect to it you can't get around.
** "Exclusive! Zachary Levi on "Faith, Family and Football" in His Kurt Warner Biopic American Underdog" in Parade (28 December 2021)
* But I want to encourage people and not take things too seriously. I want myself and everyone else to feel at ease and feel like they’re in their safe place.
** "Zachary Levi’s nerves growing before MTV Movie & TV Awards" in AP (15 June 2019)
* Growing up, my love for theater was insatiable. I just love to make people laugh and clap and smile. When I discovered drama and the ability to move people to tears, it was so powerful. As much as you can feel like God created you to do something, I believe He made me to entertain.
** "Interview with Zachary Levi of She Loves Me" in Talkin' Broadway (2016)
* You work with so many people of different backgrounds, especially in community theater. From aspiring actors to an optometrist who likes to moonlight (as a performer). It's such a weird and fun and funny environment, but I was so grateful. You are an amalgamation of all the people you've worked with or that encouraged you, or that you learned from.
** "Interview with Zachary Levi of She Loves Me" in Talkin' Broadway (2016)
* The coolest thing about awards season is celebrating together. What a great year it's been for Broadway. That I get to be included is amazing.
** "Interview with Zachary Levi of She Loves Me" in Talkin' Broadway (2016)