Actor Leonardo Nam chatted about his career and latest projects, which includes the series “Maggie” on Hulu.
From award-winning drama series to blockbuster comedy films, he has become known over the years for the diverse and dynamic characters he has brought to life on screen.
‘Maggie’ series
This year, he can be seen starring in Hulu’s upcoming psychic comedy series “Maggie,” alongside Rebecca Rittenhouse. Hailing from “Family Guy” and “Life in Pieces” writer Maggie Mull, “Maggie” follows a young woman who tries to cope with life while coming to terms with her abilities as a psychic. “Maggie was very different than ‘Marvelous and the Black Hole.’ You got the opportunity to work with some great people and find an outlet for yourself really. It was a really interesting experience,” he said.
Nam plays Dave, one of the cheerful and free-spirited people in Maggie’s life. “Maggie” is slated to debut on July 6 on Hulu. “The creators had a very clear vision as to what they wanted to go with my character and it was really refreshing that they wanted to be someone who was grounded. I play the foil to Maggie’s journey: Maggie is looking for love,” he said.
‘Westworld’
Nam may be best known for his fan-favorite role as Felix Lutz on the critically acclaimed, award-winning HBO series “Westworld.” “I played Felix Lutz in ‘Westworld.’ I has a serious storyline and it was so great to play that, and to play a range of characters in all of these projects. It has been a dream,” he said.
Appearing opposite Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated actress Thandie Newton (Maeve Millay), Nam was consistently a scene-stealer as the lab technician who remains by Maeve’s side as they navigate the treacherous landscapes of Westworld, and beyond.
‘Marvelous and the Black Hole’
On the film front, Leonardo recently appeared in the festival darling “Marvelous and the Black Hole” (FilmRise) which debuted at the TriBeCa Film Festival. He also held a role in Netflix’s smash hit, family comedy feature “Yes Day” alongside Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramírez, which was released on March 12, 2021.
“Working with Rhea Perlman was great,” he admitted. “Rhea is so down-to-earth and so chill. You can feel there is a funniness about her in the way she approaches the work, and she is very graceful. Rhea was so well-seasoned.”
The digital age
On being an actor in the digital age, he said, “I feel hopeful. Streaming has made this blend possible. In this blend, there are arguments about cinema and the value of cinema in our culture today. With streaming, you can find a niche and there is also a value in finding that community that you are connected to. I am hoping to see different projects and roles come my way so that I can connect with an audience.”
“I hope more opportunities come my way via the streaming platforms. I hope I will be able to step into more leading men roles, I hope that will be in the future for me,” Nam added.
In animation, Nam lent his voice to Netflix’s “Pacific Rim: The Black” starring as mercenary Rickter, which also debuted in the spring of 2021. Born in Argentina to Korean immigrant parents and raised in Sydney, Australia, Nam attended Sydney Technical High School and studied architecture at the University of New South Wales, before deciding to move to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.
His breakout role came in the Paramount Pictures comedy “The Perfect Score,” starring Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and Erika Christensen. Since then, he has gone on to star in a string of movies, namely “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” 1 and 2, “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Vantage Point,” “He’s Just Not That into You,” and “One for the Money.”
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he responded, “Transformation.” “Now, in this world, nothing is the same anymore, especially with streaming these days. It’s a time of transformation. I am producing projects as well. I’m married, I’m gay, I have two kids and I’m living in a world of marriage equality. For me, this chapter is really about transformation,” he said.
Dream acting partners
He listed Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, and Robert De Niro as his dream acting partners. “Those are definitely actors that I would like to work with,” he said.
For his fans and viewers, Nam concluded about “Maggie,” “I can’t wait for people to see ‘Maggie.’ To re-enter the world of comedy with this is great. I want the fans to be hopeful about love. I hope people get a little bit of hope out of this show and have a good time.”
To learn more about actor Leonardo Nam, follow him on Instagram.
