Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonardo Cecchi.
Hi Leonardo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Minneapolis to an Iowan mom and an Italian dad, so I grew up with a foot in both cultures—which definitely shaped how I see the world and express myself. I discovered my passion for performing at a pretty young age and ended up attending a performing arts high school in Turin, Italy, where I trained in stage acting, diction, jazz dance, and musical theater. That’s actually where everything really started—I was discovered by a Disney casting director, which led to four incredible seasons on Alex & Co. and two Disney films, one of which got me a Best Original Song nomination. During that time, I also published two books, which was a wild and rewarding experience.
In 2017, I made the move to Los Angeles. I found representation pretty quickly, started training at the Chubbuck Acting Studio, and even studied chemistry at Santa Monica College for a while. I was admitted to UCLA with a 4.0 GPA, but ultimately decided to fully commit to acting. Right now, I’m continuing to deepen my craft through the Sanford Meisner Center’s two-year program—I completed the first year in early 2025.
Since then, I’ve had the chance to work on a range of projects across film, television, and theater—everything from HBO Max’s A Christmas Mystery, where I played a pretty brooding teenager, to Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend, where I portrayed Gian Paolo Dallara, a brilliant engineer. I’ve also been in American Horror Stories and led the Italian tour of the musical Peter Pan, which was such a full-circle moment for me.
One project that’s really close to my heart is a short film I wrote, directed, and starred in called Louie’s Emotions, where I played seven different characters. That one earned me a Best Actor award at the LA Top Shorts Film Festival, which meant a lot. Beyond acting, I’ve been diving more into directing and producing—shooting short films on RED cinema cameras and exploring storytelling from every angle. My latest project, The Echo Project, reflects that creative drive.
It’s been a journey with a lot of twists, but I’m incredibly grateful to be doing what I love and constantly learning along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but honestly, that’s what’s made the journey meaningful. Moving to Los Angeles on my own at 19, fresh off four seasons of a Disney show and two movies, I thought I had a solid handle on the industry. Spoiler: I didn’t. Starting from scratch in a new country was a huge reality check, and over the past seven years, I’ve faced everything from industry slowdowns to personal challenges that have really shaped me.
One of the hardest parts, without a doubt, has been being far from my family. They’re either overseas in Italy or spread across the U.S., and there are moments—especially when work is slow or things feel uncertain—where that distance really hits me. Not being able to see them regularly, not having that physical support system close by… it’s tough. And sometimes I catch myself wondering if it’s worth missing out on birthdays, holidays, and everyday life with the people I love. But then I remember why I’m here—because this is my dream, and my passion—and I remind myself that I’m making those sacrifices for something I truly believe in.
The pandemic and the actor’s strike added their own layers of uncertainty, forcing me to slow down and really figure out how to stay grounded when everything around me felt paused. And while I’ve been incredibly fortunate with the opportunities I’ve had, it hasn’t come without its own learning curves.
One of the more surprising challenges was realizing I had a slight Italian accent—which I genuinely didn’t notice at first—and then working hard to neutralize it. It was a longer and more detailed process than I expected, but it taught me so much about the nuance of language and performance.
I also had to dive into the business side of acting—learning how to create opportunities for myself and keep moving even when the momentum isn’t there. That’s something I’ve really worked on, and my training at The Meisner Center in Burbank has played a huge role in that growth. It’s deepened my love for the craft and given me the tools to navigate the industry with a clearer sense of who I am and what I bring to the table.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth—but every bump in the road has taught me something valuable, and I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a film, television, and stage actor—and more recently, a director and storyteller behind the camera as well. I started working professionally at a young age, leading the Disney Channel series Alex & Co. for four seasons, which opened the door to two Disney films and even a Best Original Song nomination. Since then, I’ve worked on a wide range of projects, from HBO Max’s A Christmas Mystery to Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend, where I had the honor of portraying Gian Paolo Dallara. I’ve also appeared in American Horror Stories, Hulu’s Gods of Food, and multiple theatrical productions, including the lead in the Italian musical tour of Peter Pan.
I think what sets me apart is my versatility and my cultural duality—being raised between Italy and the U.S. gave me a deep appreciation for different forms of storytelling. I’m fluent in both English and Italian, and I’ve trained extensively in acting, dance, musical theater, and cinematic martial arts. Whether I’m playing a teenage engineer, a villain in a comedy, or seven distinct characters in my short film Louie’s Emotions, I love immersing myself completely in each role and exploring new corners of the craft.
Directing and producing my own short films has also been a major step for me—I’m especially proud of Louie’s Emotions, which earned me a Best Actor award at the LA Top Shorts Film Festival. Creating work from the ground up has helped me see storytelling from all angles, and I’m excited to keep expanding in that space.
At the core of it all, I’m someone who deeply loves this work—whether it’s on stage, on screen, or behind the camera. I’m proud of the range I’ve developed, the resilience I’ve built, and the stories I’ve been lucky enough to tell so far.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
That’s a tough one! But one that really sticks with me is this series of birthday parties we used to have at our house in Piscina, a small town just outside of Turin, Italy. I’d hand out themed invitations to all my classmates, usually superhero-themed, with Spiderman as my obvious go-to. And one year, my dad and my crazy self got on the roof of our house, and took a picture of myself dressed up as Spiderman, just so we could print it on the invitation cards. That memory warms my heart, that my pops would do that just to make my invites special. I’ll have to find that photo. Anyway, the party was very fun, it was before my parents got divorced, simpler times in my childhood lol
Contact Info:
- Website: https://entertainmentpro.net/leonardo-cecchi/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonardodcecchi/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LeonardoCecchiV
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/69ixdVHC0LeCeGkLkwiyiL?si=TyDpQIP-Q1W87r39bKYkrw
Image Credits
Luigi De Palma, Likewiselens
