The phrase “courageous” is thrown round liberally in Hollywood.
He was “courageous” to realize 30 lbs. for an Oscar-bait position. She confirmed “bravery” with a vanity-free efficiency in an indie movie.
The phrase feels diminished in that context, even when the folks uttering it have the most effective intentions.
For true Hollywood bravery look no additional than Zachary Levi.
The actor, greatest identified for his work on NBC’s “Chuck” and the current “Shazam!” options, simply got here out in assist of Donald Trump.
That’s courageous in and of itself. The new Hollywood blacklist discriminates in opposition to conservatives in methods each giant and small. For each outlier like conservative star Jon Voight who retains working there are dozens who hold their mouths shut for worry of profession reprisal.
Levi admitted as a lot throughout a current look at a Reclaim America occasion in Michigan that includes Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Each have endorsed Trump in current weeks.
Levi used the looks to do the identical whereas acknowledging what may occur subsequent.
“After I got here out and I stated I used to be endorsing President Trump via my endorsement of Tulsi and Bobbi. … Inside my business, as you possibly can in all probability think about, Hollywood is a really, very liberal city and this very nicely may represent profession suicide, so I’m glad I did it with you guys,” he stated.
He couldn’t have “come out” as a Trump supporter at a worse time. Not solely are we lower than two months from the presidential election Levi’s profession is all of the sudden ice chilly.
His summertime launch, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” pulled in disastrous numbers for a family-friendly movie – $17 million domestically. His second and sure final “Shazam!” characteristic, “Fury of the Gods,” drew withering opinions final yr together with a paltry $57 million stateside.
He portrayed NFL icon Kurt Warner in 2021’s “American Underdog,” a strong movie which nonetheless underperformed on the field workplace. The lingering pandemic didn’t assist.
He stays a multi-talented performer (he sang on the “Tangled” soundtrack) with an agreeable persona. He nonetheless put his Hollywood profession in jeopardy together with his announcement.
And he is aware of it.
For now, Levi has initiatives within the pipeline. Earlier this yr he joined the solid of “Free Fall,” the story of a father trying to reconnect together with his daughter throughout a mountaineering expedition.
He’s additionally co-starring in “Sarah’s Oil,” a drama set for a Christmas Day 2025 launch. Director Cyrus Nowrasteh’s movie follows the outstanding true story of a younger black woman who discovers oil on her property and the struggle to stave off these desperate to steal it.