Right For The Role with John Frank Levey

John Frank Levey
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Right For The Role with John Frank Levey

"Right For The Role" is hosted by legendary casting director John Frank Levey, whose four-decade career and four Emmy Awards reflect his uncanny ability to recognize who's right for the role. As the casting visionary behind revolutionary television shows like "ER," "The West Wing," "Shameless," and "China Beach," Levey has not only witnessed but actively shaped the careers of some of Hollywood's most recognizable talents. Through intimate conversations with accomplished guests like Eric LaSalle, Sasha Alexander, Dennis Dugan, Noah Wiley, Shanola Hampton, and others, listeners will discover inspiring stories about finding one's authentic path in both life and career. Drawing from his vast experience, Levey guides conversations that uncover valuable insights about taking risks, advocating for what you believe in, and discovering your true calling. Whether you're in the entertainment industry or simply navigating your own path, each episode offers honest, unfiltered discussions about defining moments, career transformations, and the journey to embracing the roles we're meant to play. So join John Frank Levey -- recipient of the Casting Society of America's prestigious Hoyt Bowers Award for Lifetime Achievement -- as he shares his exuberance for the craft and helps listeners find inspiration to discover their own role of a lifetime. The first episode launches December 11th.

Episodes

  1. 12/18/2024

    Having It All vs. Doing It All: Sasha Alexander on Acting, Parenting, and Finding Balance

    Actor Sasha Alexander joins host John Frank Levey for a candid conversation about balancing a successful acting career with family life and the pursuit of creative fulfillment. Drawing from her extensive experience across shows like "Dawson’s Creek," "NCIS," and "Rizzoli & Isles," Alexander shares honest insights about the challenges of maintaining authenticity both on and off-screen. The discussion weaves through her European upbringing, approach to complex roles, and recent journey of prioritizing family while navigating industry changes. In this episode: • How Alexander’s Serbian-Italian heritage and European exposure shaped her artistic sensibilities and acting approach• The contrasting experiences of working on procedural shows versus character-driven series, and the unique challenges each presents• A fascinating discussion about intimacy coordinators in Hollywood and their impact on directing and acting• The reality of “having it all” as a working parent in the entertainment industry, and why timing matters more than we think• Personal reflections on choosing to step back from major roles to be present for her children’s formative years• What it means to maintain creative fulfillment while navigating the ebbs and flows of an acting career• A thoughtful exploration of artistic integrity, personal growth, and finding peace with life’s natural seasons. TV shows discussed in this conversation: Dawson’s CreekNCISRizzoli & IslesShamelessPresidio MedConnect: To connect with Sasha Alexander, find her on Instagram: @sashaalexanderTo connect with John Frank Levey, please visit his website: https://www.johnfranklevey.com/ or connect on IG: @john_frank_levey_To order a signed copy of John’s memoir, "Right for the Role": https://www.johnfranklevey.com/bookAcknowledgments Photographer Eusebio Hernandez specializes in “hero shots” — his own artistic spin on headshots. He helped John Frank Levey, who typically hates having his picture taken, feel comfortable enough to get a great shot for his memoir "Right for the Role." Learn more at www.heroshots.la. The Right for the Role podcast would not have been possible without the generous support of PBS Management, Karen Cease, and the estate of Peg Sweesy. Many thanks to my producers, Jerod Morris and Trudi Roth of It’s the TruStory (https://www.itsthetrustory.com)

    50 min

  2. 12/11/2024

    Control Your Destiny: Eriq La Salle on Breaking Barriers and Building Legacy

    Three-time Emmy-nominated actor, director, and author Eriq La Salle joins legendary casting director John Frank Levey for a candid conversation about breaking barriers and creating lasting change in Hollywood. This wide-ranging discussion explores La Salle's remarkable journey from a young theater student in Hartford to becoming one of television's highest-paid African American actors. Through personal stories and thoughtful reflection, La Salle and Levey examine how race, representation, and the pursuit of creative control have shaped their careers and the entertainment industry. Key moments from the episode: How a failed Michelle Pfeiffer film project sparked La Salle's transformation from actor to directorThe fascinating behind-the-scenes story of how La Salle almost didn't get cast in ER over a $10,000 disputeWhy La Salle's impromptu trip to Spain with George Clooney and Noah Wyle became crucial to ER's successThe complex negotiations and advocacy required to ensure authentic representation of Black relationships on ERThe unexpected way Coming to America director John Landis changed La Salle's approach to working with actorsHow La Salle maintains a decades-long friendship with fellow actor Michael Beach despite career competitionWhat writing a five-book thriller series has taught La Salle about creating deeper, more nuanced stories This conversation offers invaluable insights for anyone pursuing a creative career, particularly those facing systemic barriers. La Salle's strategic approach to building a multi-faceted career – from acting to directing to writing novels – demonstrates how to maintain both artistic integrity and professional longevity in an often challenging industry. Resources mentioned: Laws of Depravity (Book by Eriq La Salle)Laws of Wrath (Book by Eriq La Salle)Laws of Annihilation (Book by Eriq La Salle)Coming to America (Film)ER (Television series)Under Suspicion (Television series)Chicago PD (Television series)The Twilight Zone (Television series)A Raisin in the Sun (Play by Lorraine Hansberry)To connect with Eriq La Salle: Website: iameriqlasalle.comIG: @eriqlasalleFacebook: Eriq La SalleX: @EriqLaSalle23TikTok: @eriqlasalleauthor To connect with John Frank Levey, please visit his website: https://www.johnfranklevey.com/ To order a signed copy of John’s memoir, Right for the Role: https://www.johnfranklevey.com/book Acknowledgments Photographer Eusebio Hernandez specializes in “hero shots” — his own artistic spin on headshots. He helped John Frank Levey, who typically hates having his picture taken, feel comfortable enough to get a great shot for his memoir "Right for the Role." Learn more at www.heroshots.la. The Right for the Role podcast would not have been possible without the generous support of PBS Management, Karen Cease, and the estate of Peg Sweesy. Many thanks to my producers, Jerod Morris and Trudi Roth of It’s the TruStory (https://www.itsthetrustory.com)

    1h 5m

  3. EPISODE 1

    Trailer

    Right For The Role launches on December 11th. Learn what the show is about and hear clips from our first set of interviews in Season 1.

    4 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

"Right For The Role" is hosted by legendary casting director John Frank Levey, whose four-decade career and four Emmy Awards reflect his uncanny ability to recognize who's right for the role. As the casting visionary behind revolutionary television shows like "ER," "The West Wing," "Shameless," and "China Beach," Levey has not only witnessed but actively shaped the careers of some of Hollywood's most recognizable talents. Through intimate conversations with accomplished guests like Eric LaSalle, Sasha Alexander, Dennis Dugan, Noah Wiley, Shanola Hampton, and others, listeners will discover inspiring stories about finding one's authentic path in both life and career. Drawing from his vast experience, Levey guides conversations that uncover valuable insights about taking risks, advocating for what you believe in, and discovering your true calling. Whether you're in the entertainment industry or simply navigating your own path, each episode offers honest, unfiltered discussions about defining moments, career transformations, and the journey to embracing the roles we're meant to play. So join John Frank Levey -- recipient of the Casting Society of America's prestigious Hoyt Bowers Award for Lifetime Achievement -- as he shares his exuberance for the craft and helps listeners find inspiration to discover their own role of a lifetime. The first episode launches December 11th.

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