Eddie Leavy's vibrant personality and community-focused approach to the entertainment business shine through in Media and Mix's latest episode. As an actor, singer, voiceover artist, writer, and proud SOC Eagle, Leavy provides valuable insight into a career in bustling Los Angeles.  

While Leavy has achieved great success, playing "Anthony" on A.P. Bio and in several other roles seen on HBOMax, Netflix, Apple TV+, ABC, TruTV, and BET, he didn't know he'd want to become a professional actor until his time at AU. With a steadfast passion for the arts but a lack of direction, his path toward acting became clear after taking part in SOC's Prague semester program. Abroad, Leavy opened himself up to the unique experiences offered and was blown away by the amount of acting opportunities that found him as a result. Upon his return to DC, he starred in AU's production of The Who's Tommy, where he recognized and confidently embraced his ability to lead a show for the first time.  

Both experiences, combined with taking professor Caty Borum's Entertainment Communication course where she elaborated on L.A.’s creative energy, ultimately shaped his decision to move out to Los Angeles. "It just all kind of blended together," Leavy notes, "Where the path to go to L.A. became clearer and clearer because of this crazy chain of events." 

Having a strong AU alumni presence waiting for him in Los Angeles made for a smooth transition for Leavy. "It comes back to community," he emphasizes, stressing the value of having friends who are navigating the same industry as he is and the necessity of putting connections first when building a career in entertainment. "Just go and meet people to meet people and make genuine connections… you're bringing your fullest self and you're just being you. Those are the connections that are gonna stick."

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This sentiment became even more fundamental during the SAG and WGA strikes, where Leavy met so many remarkable individuals who made achieving better work conditions possible. “The picket line really gave us community… and I’m so grateful for all the work of the strike captains and negotiating committee and our leadership because it was not easy to be that strong for that long.” 

In addition to prioritizing relationships, he has also learned how to combat burnout by slowing down and focusing on what brings him joy, calling attention to Cleo Wade’s poem Something Big.

With relief, I release the small stuff / very little belongs to me / and I belong / to something big.

It was on a long overdue vacation when these words resonated with Leavy.

“When you take a moment, and you feel connected to nature, you realize, wow, I am a part of something so much bigger. It took a really low point for me to kind of rediscover that side of myself… I have been volunteering with an organization in L.A. that works with kids and foster youth and different types of people on the adoption constellation. And working in that community has, as an adoptee myself, has really just given me so much and given me so much joy and perspective.” 

If you’re an aspring actor or just curious to hear more about the world of entertainment, tune into Media and the Mix’s latest episode to hear the full conversation.