Zachary Levi
The charming everyman who led the spy comedy Chuck, then leveled up to play the superhero Shazam, bringing relatable humor to the DC Universe.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American actor·Birthday: September 29·Generation X
Biography
Zachary Levi built a career on being the guy you'd want to hang out with—a quality that made him the perfect anchor for the cult-favorite series 'Chuck.' As the unassuming tech-whiz turned secret agent, Levi blended nerdy charm with surprising physicality, creating a hero whose vulnerability was his strength. The role cemented his status as a beloved figure in genre television. After the show's conclusion, he navigated film and voice work, notably voicing Flynn Rider in Disney's 'Tangled.' His big superhero break came when he was cast as the adult embodiment of Billy Batson in 'Shazam!,' a role that fit him like a glove. Levi injected the character with a joyful, childlike wonder, offering a lighter, more humorous counterpoint within the superhero landscape. His career is a testament to the power of genuine likability and comedic timing in an industry often dominated by grit.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Zachary was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Zachary Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Zachary's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as the lead, Chuck Bartowski, for all five seasons of the NBC series 'Chuck'.
- Voiced the character of Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert in Disney's 'Tangled' and its subsequent series.
- Played the titular superhero in the DC film 'Shazam!' and its 2023 sequel.
- Hosted the 2019 and 2021 Geek & Sundry 'Stream of Annihilation' events.
Did You Know?
He is the founder of Nerd HQ, a fan interaction event that raised money for the charity Operation Smile.
He was originally cast as Fandral in 'Thor: The Dark World,' but had to drop out due to scheduling.
He is an avid supporter of mental health awareness and has spoken openly about his own struggles with depression.
“The more that we can be honest about the fact that we're not okay, the more we give other people permission to say they're not okay.”
