Actor Chris DiVecchio: More Than Just a Hunkalicious Hottie

You might not know his name or recognize his face - yet - but actor Chris DiVecchio is definitely one to be watching. The 34-year-old Massachusetts native took up acting 10 years ago and in that time he's managed to stay busy with modeling jobs, appearances on assorted television shows and roles in independent films. Most recently, DiVecchio starred in the independent horror movie "Wolf Moon." The movie was picked up for distribution by Lions Gate and has made its way into local video stores, paving the way for fans and potential fans to see DiVecchio's acting chops.

I had the chance to catch up with Chris by phone in order to get to know a little more about this up-and-coming actor and he proved to be a pleasant surprise. While DiVecchio may be part of the Hollywood scene with his career pursuits, he seems to be firmly grounded in reality. When asked what three words he would use to describe himself, with only a moment's hesitation he answered "Integrity, honesty and loyalty."

That's big talk in a business that is known for cutthroat tactics, but truly, after talking with Chris, I got the definite impression that he wasn't giving lip service to what sounded good - he genuinely does what he says and practices what he preaches. Case in point, our conversation veered and pinged around a variety of topics but when the subject of his family came up, there was a noticeable change in his voice. Family could have just as easily been one of his choice bywords because DiVecchio made it obvious that his family is the foundation of who he is and what he does in his life.

"My family, they're my biggest fans," Chris mused. "All my life they've been great supporters of everything I've chosen to do."

Chris described himself as "a mama's boy" and maintains a close relationship with his mom (he speaks to her daily, often more than once). He is a doting uncle to his older sister's three children. "They're the most adorable nieces and nephews an uncle could wish for," he told me proudly.

Growing up, he had aspirations to pursue a career in sports and actually went to college with intentions of playing hockey. DiVecchio said that he had been on skates from the age of four and planning for a career in athletics took center stage in his life, even though he had a keen interest in the arts. As he put it though, peer pressure kept him from going after anything artsy.

"I've always had a strong interest in arts and performing but growing up as an athlete, I was really conflicted (about pursuing) anything in TV or theater just out of fear of peer pressure," he remembered. "Being involved in theater wasn't considered a "cool" thing to do." Instead Chris decided to pursue a career in athletics and ended up having a short stint in bodybuilding which led to fitness modeling and eventually came around to acting.

DiVecchio's acting resume includes appearances on television in episodes of "Ghost Whisperer," "Alias," "Law and Order," and "Girls Behaving Badly." He has appeared in commercials for big names like Budweiser, Honda, Chrysler, Miller Lite and Mike's Hard Lemonade, but it is his most recent role in "Wolf Moon" that is drawing attention to this talented young actor.

Currently he is talking with Dana Mennie, the director of "Wolf Moon," about a new project - a film called "Lido." No word yet on when production will start but it is a drama about a father-son relationship. "We haven't gone into pre-production, it hasn't been fully-casted but I've been working on getting my body into physical condition for the role."

As a method actor, DiVecchio takes his craft very seriously and makes every effort to immerse himself in the characters he personifies. His role as the troubled loner and werewolf Dan in "Wolf Moon" was a complex character that intrigued the actor and provided a good opportunity for stretching his acting skills.

"What really drew me to this script and this story was the character," he noted. The character of Dan is a drifter who has never known the grounding roots that a loving family provide - a polar opposite to DiVecchio's background. Part of his method of preparing to become Dan was to slowly strip away the things that separated him from the character - like family support. He basically had to imagine himself as being abandoned and draw upon the emotions that he would feel if that had been his upbringing. In an interview for The Evening Class, Chris explained that his preparation for the role of Dan was to tell the people who cared about him to stop telling him they cared.

This method of immersing himself in the character obviously helped him feel the emotions and heartache of abandonment that Dan lived in "Wolf Moon." After watching the film, I can honestly say DiVecchio made it work. He was believable as the tormented young man searching for a lifeline in his own world of confusion and chaos that stems from a family curse. That curse turns him into a werewolf and it is a curse and a burden that he must bear alone. Although he finds love, but must let it go.

"Wolf Moon" is obviously part of the horror genre, but in truth that is not DiVecchio's favorite genre. "The horror genre isn't my first choice of movies to go to, I gravitate to the more dramatic," he said. Surprisingly - or maybe not - dramatic aptly describes what he considers to be his dream role, and the type of movie he is most drawn to.

"My dream role would have been Ryan Gosling's character in 'The Notebook,'" he admitted. It is deep drama and the ability to make viewers feel and believe the characters that piques DiVecchio's interest and inspires him in his own method of acting. His inspiration has also come from other famous actors.

"There wasn't any movie in particular that inspired me to act but Philip Seymour Hoffman or Nicole Kidman - no matter what they do they completely consume the character (they play)," he said. "They make you believe the role."

While it's not lost on Chris that his looks certainly attract attention (yes, ladies, he's aware that many of us drool over his pictures) and are an asset in a business that loves beautiful people, DiVecchio is much more than a hunkalicious hottie and he hopes that people will notice this fact and will see him as more than just a pretty face.

"I think it's part of the type of character and the type of roles in the category that I get put into in this industry," he said. "I don't shun the fact that there's a focus on my body but I also don't want that to be the focus necessarily. I'm an actor's actor."

When it comes to being more than a pretty face, though, actions do speak louder than words. For those of us who stalk his Facebook page, Chris isn't one to post inane and random status updates. You probably won't read that he just bought groceries, dropped a bowl of cereal or took a nap. He wants his updates to be meaningful. He regularly posts encouraging quotes and positive thoughts that are meant to enlighten and uplift those who read them.

This is part of his positive outlook on life and his desire to help others. As part of his goal to make his life count, Chris makes a point of involving himself regularly in activities that help others. Throughout the year and especially at Christmas he looks for opportunities to help other people and make a difference in the lives of those around him.

In July, Chris participated in an improvisation class for kids through a group called HOLA - Heart of Los Angeles. "HOLA supports at-risk inner city kids and gives them opportunities for a better life," he said. He agreed to offer his acting experience to the kids after a friend who had been involved with the group asked him if he wanted to get involved as well.

"You never know what a child might be interested in, I thought it would be a great opportunity (to help some kids)" he said. He went on to talk about how well the kids enjoyed the class and were interested in acting, but what amazed him was the unexpected aspects of working with the kids.

"The whole day kind of took on the shape of turning into life lessons. Instead of just talking about acting, these kids had questions more than just about acting. 'What was it like for you in high school and growing up? Were you scared going into high school?' They're on the cusp right now where a couple of bad decisions can make a huge difference in their life and if they have the right help and support it can make an impact on their decisions and their future," he said.

Why does he feel being involved in these types of programs and helping others is important? It all comes back to family.

As he puts it, "It made such a difference for me to have such great support and help in my own life," that giving back has become "a role that I take on in my life in general."

Chris takes his role so seriously that when I asked for a favorite quote that epitomizes his positive attitude, he had to give me two instead of just one.

"One quote that I love, that I base my life on: 'Hope is a verb." As he puts it, it means that "hoping for something without any action is pretty much pointless. It's important to have dreams but you've gotta take action every single day to make those dreams reality. I can sit in my apartment and hope that things are going to happen but if I'm not taking action then what chance do I really have?"

His other favorite quote is actually part of his decorating scheme. "I had a friend of mine paint this on the ceiling in my bedroom: 'I am a believer, not a skeptic, with an ambition to be excellent.' You gotta believe and have faith and my ambition is to be excellent in life - not just as an actor but as a human being which is why I take the time to help others," he said.

So while Chris DiVecchio may be a rising star in the entertainment world, his feet are firmly grounded in the things he holds dear - those words he used to describe himself and the strong bonds of family he cherishes. At the end of the day, though, what quirky and simple thing does this complex guy look forward to most?

Interestingly enough, his slippers. "One of the happiest moments of my day is walking in my apartment and putting on my slippers. There's just something about putting on my slippers that puts a smile on my face," he said with a laugh.

Nope, they're not bunny slippers, just plain old generic slippers. I know because I asked. In the end, Chris DiVecchio is keeping a balanced perspective on his life and enjoying the little things - like fuzzy slippers, while he wades through the competitive world of acting. Here's hoping that his slippers help him continue to walk on a pathway of success.

Sources:
Personal interview
http://www.chrisdivecchio.com/index.html