Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Mary Leveridge of Los Angeles

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mary Leveridge. Check out our conversation below.

Mary, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Books! I find myself working at a bookstore as one of my side jobs when I’m not acting or writing and it has re-awakened my love of reading. I used to get lost in a book for hours on end as a kid and the same thing is happening now as an adult. It gives me more fuel for my creative endeavors and also a reprieve from whatever may be going on in my life. I often find that something happening in the life of the character is happening in some way in my own life, even if I didn’t pick up the book for that purpose. The empathy we can develop for characters through reading is one of my favorite things. It helps me have empathy for others and grace for myself. Knowing that an author can touch me through space and time with their words is astounding and wonderful. It’s why Shakespeare is still making audiences laugh and cry hundreds of years after his plays were written.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes! Hello! My name is Mary Leveridge and I’m an actor and a writer currently living here in Los Angeles. I’m originally a certified horse-girl from Lexington, KY. I grew up on a small farm with lots of goats and the horses I rode and competed. I still try and ride when I can to keep the skill sharp. I also love books, films, music, and playing games and Dungeons & Dragons with my friends. I moved out to Los Angeles for acting school and graduated from my program at the Stella Adler Art of Acting Studio in 2023. Since then I’ve brought my one-woman show to the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2024 and have done lots of staged readings and short films with my friends. Now I’m writing several screenplays (two shorts and a feature in the works!) and working at a bookstore and as an usher at a local theatre.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I’d have to say my parents. They both come from hard backgrounds. My dad grew up in the 50s and 60s in a small town in Southern Kentucky. My mom grew up in the 60s and 70s in Georgia. The both didn’t have a lot growing up and they worked really hard for what they had. They instilled in me a strong work ethic-whatever I wanted had to be earned in some way, not necessarily monetarily. When I wanted to get my first horse at age ten, my parents made sure I could lift a water bucket and properly handle a pitchfork so I could take care of it myself. They still helped out, but from the age of twelve onwards it was mostly me taking care of the horses in the barn before and after school. That kind of responsibility and honoring that commitment taught me how important it is to be reliable and to keep my word to the best of my ability. Effort breeds reward, and you only get out of something what you put into it. Preparation is key to everything, from character work to a job interview.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Does yesterday count? (Just kidding!)
I would say this past year has been particularly hard. There was one day around late May 2025 when I wanted to give up on everything. It was part of a situation that had been building for awhile and had really worn me down. I felt ripped open and rubbed raw. I wanted that to stop, for things to go back to the way they were. But time doesn’t work that way, and I knew that giving up, while tempting, wasn’t really an option I wanted to choose. Nor was it something that truly came from the core of who I was. It was something my brain thought would make this temporary problem permanently easier. But every problem is temporary, and there is nothing new under the sun. The situation would pass, I knew that. I was taking a scene study class at the time, so I chose to express myself through that and channel my frustration and pain into the work and into my craft. The art lifted me out of the darkness, alongside a few good friends and family who buoyed my spirits.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I feel like the industry is split right now. There are those who are still waiting for work to come their way, since that’s how it has always been done. Since the strikes happened, I find more people are making their own work, writing and producing their own films, their own theatre. I think that is what is going to separate those who work in the acting and entertainment industry and those who don’t. I mentioned that I was writing several screenplays. One of those is on its second draft which is exciting. The others have outlines. I’ve pitched the ideas to friends who are interested and I’m excited to hopefully film one of the ideas next year if schedules allow. We have to do what we can to create opportunities when there are “none”. It’s the only way we can have hope of making art that matters to us. If it doesn’t exist, create it. We don’t have to wait for someone to call and offer us a role. We can create work for ourselves and make movies with our friends.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
On the back of a horse, out in nature, or on a long drive. Riding horses has gone from something competitive to becoming my happy place to reset. Horses have a larger electromagnetic field and can literally help ours to recalibrate just by being near them. They are truly amazing creatures. They are also incredibly goofy, like giant, injury-prone dogs.
I love being out in nature, taking walks by the beach or going hiking when the time allows. And if I’m traveling I always prefer to drive rather than fly. I like a long drive with the radio up and the windows down while the wheels eat up the miles. It’s calming, driving and watching the world go by. My dog also really loves a car ride!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maryleveridge.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary_leveridge/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-leveridge-a19214215/

Image Credits
Leah Huebner

Kim Fowler/The Art of Acting Studio

Richard Dean @broadwayphotovideo

Dianne Leveridge