Zachary Levi: The Man Who Made Nerdiness Cool

Zachary Levi Pugh, better known by his stage name Zachary Levi, is an American actor and film director best known for his roles as Kipp Steadman in Less Than Perfect and Chuck Bartowski in Chuck.

Levi was born on September 29, 1980, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Darrell Pugh and Susy Hoctor. He has two sisters, Shekinah and Sarah. Levi attended Buena Vista High School, where he was a member of the drama club and the choir. He also played football and basketball. After graduating from high school, Levi moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.

Levi's first major role was as Kipp Steadman in the sitcom Less Than Perfect. He played the role for four seasons, from 2002 to 2006. In 2007, Levi landed the lead role in the action comedy series Chuck. He played the role of Chuck Bartowski, a computer nerd who becomes a spy after downloading a government database into his brain. Chuck ran for five seasons, from 2007 to 2012.

Since Chuck ended, Levi has starred in a number of films and television shows, including Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Shazam!, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He has also directed several episodes of television, including Chuck and The Resident.

Levi is an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. He has spoken about his own struggles with anxiety and depression, and he has worked to raise awareness of these issues. In 2022, Levi published a book about his mental health journey, titled Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others.

Levi is a talented actor and director who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. He is also a role model for those who struggle with mental health issues.