Meet Levi Packer, one of the handsomest jack of all trades I’ve met in the industry.  I’ve come to know Levi through happy hours (when he had to cut me off), to acting together in the independent film “My Penance”, to his popular events – comedy night That’s So Wrong and underwear party Cheap and Easy at Precinct DTLA.  He is the prime of example of doing what it takes to get into the entertainment industry.  He constantly works at it, “making it happen”, doing what it takes – from playing a murder victim in CSI: Las Vegas to producing his own production of Charles Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom to star in.  On set he is a consummate professional, off screen he’s a bundle of energy that you want to get drop dead drunk with.  

I sat down with Levi as he opened about his coming out, sexuality in the entertainment industry, gogo dancing, and the bear world.   

What is your background in entertainment? 

It all started as a child: dressing up as Disney princesses and performing skits for my family. Then, I was extremely involved in theatre/music throughout high school. I went for my BFA in Professional Acting from Texas State University and then studied Shakespeare Text Analysis and Performance with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, England. I ended up in Los Angeles with the intent of acting for TV/Film, but I ended up branching out into stand-up comedy, improv, directing, producing, and anything to keep me working and inspired.

Who/what were some of your earliest influences?

Without a doubt, I would have to say Freddy Mercury. I was around 12 when I first saw a music video by Queen. As a young man from a farm in small town Texas who was undeniably gay, I felt like I had found the Holy Grail! Freddy Mercury singlehandedly showed me what living your truth and artistically committing fully looked like. Oh, and that looks aren’t everything.

You moved to the City of Angels in 2007 – did you go through culture shock?  What are some of the biggest obstacles in “making it” in the business here?

I think everyone who moves to LA has a bit of culture shock simply because there is no place like it in the world! I think the two most shocking things to me were the massive amount of homelessness and that none of my previous experience was given any credit because it didn’t happen in LA (and that was anything from waiting tables to renting an apartment). And while there are many obstacles to “making it” here, my top two are intertwined. The first obstacle is weeding through the endless, confusing, and often-contradictory advice that spews from every single person you meet. The second is defining exactly what “making it” means to you personally.

A post shared by Levi Packer (@levipacker) on Sep 19, 2017 at 9:07pm PDT

From acting, to running around in your underwear, to producing events – you do everything!  How do you decide what to focus on?  What aspect of your entertainment life to enjoy doing the most?

I have always been happiest in my life when I am juggling a few things at once. I really hate being bored. It’s the whole “Idle Hands” thing, I think. It also forces me to take on one task, one day at a time. That’s how I decide: whatever is next gets my attention. I enjoy hosting parties very much. It is a way I get use my personality AND connect with other people and the community. That is an exciting combo to me!

You produce a comedy night called “That’s So Wrong!” – how do you think comedy has changed over the years in Los Angeles?  Do you think comedy should be more PC in today’s day and age? 

The fact that people can photograph and film and document everything now days has had an immense effect on comedy in Los Angeles. People don’t have the “safe spaces” to work out their jokes and their acts like they did in the past. I think there is a lot more fear and reticence in today’s stand-up world as a result. That is why “That’s So Wrong!” was created: to give comics an open forum to say whatever the hell they want and to maintain freedom of speech and artistic support. I personally do not feel comedy should be more PC these days. Don’t get me wrong, some people and comics are just insensitive dicks. However, I feel like if comics are truly doing their jobs of using humor to highlight injustice, struggle, controversy, and stupidity in this world, then being un-PC should be a tool available for them to freely use.

Your appearances have become more, shall we say, sexy – I’ve only recently seen you in your underwear.  I mean besides Grindr! Do you feel that being in the business in Los Angeles pressures you to sexualize your personality to be noticed?

Well, it is no secret that many people feel that pressure in the business here in LA. However, I don’t really feel that personally. I started working in gay bars in Austin, Texas back in 2002 as a go-go boy, so a sexualized personality was sort of a prerequisite. A few years ago, I realized I wasn’t getting any younger. I decided to start going to the gym and to make fitness a part of my life as a gift to my older self. I guess some people may consider my current body “sexier” than in the past. For me, it’s about being more body positive and self-affirming than in the past. Plus, I host a weekly underwear party….so there are a LOT more pictures of me in my undies floating around!

You do events in the Bear Community – do you consider yourself an otter?  What has been your experience in the Bear Community in Los Angeles?

The Bear Community is truly awesome. Whether it is an entire gay rights cause, or to aid one single person who is going through something, the Bears are always among the first to “show up” and support. They are a vital part of our overall community whom continue to teach us what love, inclusion, and variety is all about. Also, they never complain when I don’t wear deodorant. However, I have never been one to fit in completely anywhere. I do not consider myself an otter, although some may. I consider myself GAY and a small part of a large, diverse, proud, and amazing community. 

A post shared by Levi Packer (@levipacker) on Sep 4, 2017 at 8:54pm PDT

You acted as the lead in a handful of independent films.  What importance do independent films play in the scope of filmmaking?  What is your acting style/approach?

In the scope of filmmaking, I believe Independent Films are among the MOST important. Every indie film is an opportunity for large groups aspiring artists to obtain “On the Job Training”. It is something that cannot be recreated in a classroom setting. It also is a way for artists to create their own opportunities. It is also a way to experiment and push the envelope in new and exciting ways. It is also a way to reach audiences who may be disenfranchised as well as those who are sick of formulaic Hollywood Blockbusters.  In the past, I was very adamant about working on an acting role from the outside-in. That is to say, I wanted to know what the costume was before I wanted to know any history. As I have grown, I now mix in a little more of the Stanislavsky method in my work– which is just a fancy way of saying I try to portray a character as closely as I can by relating experiences in my own life to theirs. 

Do you think an openly gay actor can make it as a A List actor?

I am a champion of the gays! I think that gay people can do. Fucking. Anything… If not better.

How has your dating experience been in Los Angeles?

Dating seems to be hard for everyone in LA! God knows I sat through more silent dinners than I care to recount. At some point, though, I realized I was being so selffocused that I wasn’t open enough to truly connect with someone. So I took a little break. I had a “When Harry Met Sally” moment. But, I am happy to say that I am currently with someone who is absolutely amazing! He is a constant source of inspiration and support… and dinner is NEVER silent.

A post shared by Levi Packer (@levipacker) on May 30, 2017 at 8:25pm PDT

What was your own coming out story?

I was raised Southern Baptist in a very small farm community in Texas. It was extremely difficult because I knew two things at once: 1. Being gay was bad and 2. I was gay. So I kept my mouth shut and kept my eye on the goal of getting the hell out of there. So, I guess the short answer is that I came out to myself when I was around 12 years old. I didn’t really tell anybody else until I moved to the Austin area for college. I have managed to do quite the opposite of keeping my mouth shut about it ever since. 

Bear World Rapid Fire:

Celebrity crush:  Joan Rivers

Worst audition experience: Peter Pan (I didn’t realize it was a ballet!)

Movie role you wish you would have originated: Ruby Rhod from The 5th Element

Film you’ve seen over 10 times: The Birdcage

Guilty Pleasure: Ice cream