Step aside, Governator. A new beefcake action star is in town.

IRON EDGE · 09-10-2005, 06:11 PM

Severn native Kevin Levrone has long been known for his stellar body and was a force in the competitive world of bodybuilding throughout the 1990s, winning multiple honors before calling it quits in 2003 to follow in the footstep of his hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"I've always wanted to do something in the entertainment industry," Mr. Levrone said.

Eight months ago he moved to Hollywood to pursue his next challenge, making the move from muscle man to movie star.

"This is where the entertainment industry is," he said in a recent coast-to-coast phone interview.

Mr. Levrone met the future California governor in 1994, and a few years later was invited onto the set of Mr. Schwarzenegger's action flick "End of Days," where the star and former bodybuilding champion offered some expert advice.

"He said, first of all, you're going to have to walk away from bodybuilding," Mr. Levrone remembered of his conversation with the seven-time Mr. Olympia. "I wasn't ready to do that."

But it didn't take long for Mr. Levrone, a four-time Mr. Olympia runner-up himself, to catch the acting bug. Following the governor's advice, he changed his diet and dropped 55 pounds from his massive frame, topping out at 215 pounds, which Mr. Schwarzenegger suggested as a suitable "acting weight."

Soon afterward, Mr. Levrone landed his first starring role in the movie "Backlash," in which he plays a hired assassin with a penchant for wine and poetry. His character, Turk, is the movie's lead villain.

"Backlash" is being filmed in California and is expected to wrap at the end of the month, with a planned release in January. Mr. Levrone was able to travel to Trinidad while shooting the film and hopes to parlay his experience into a full-blown acting career.

Starring in the female lead is Danielle Burgio, known in Hollywood for her stunt work in movies like "The Matrix" and "Pearl Harbor."

Ken Shamrock, known for his skill in the popular hand-to-hand combat Ultimate Fighting Championships, which gave him his nickname "The World's Most Dangerous Man," takes part in a major fight scene with Mr. Levrone.

"We have some confrontation and I've got to take some guys out," Mr. Levrone kidded about the fight scene.

But he's serious about his acting and his fighting techniques. Mr. Levrone spent weeks with a professional stunt choreographer in preparation for the movie. He also honed his acting skills with drama coach Milton Katselas, who has helped people like George Clooney, Alec Baldwin, Tom Selleck and Michelle Pfeiffer become household names.

Mr. Levrone said acting helps him deal with his troubled past. He lost his parents at a young age and says he feeds off such memories when playing a role.

"Everything that I grew up around, that I saw, I apply it to my acting," Mr. Levrone said. "It's a very deep thing. I enjoy it. It's a way to express yourself."

In bodybuilding, Mr. Levrone said, audiences only saw his outward appearances.

"Everything was on the outside," he said, adding acting "lets them feel you come across."

Asked if he plans to follow his mentor's lead later in life and run for governor, Mr. Levrone said no way.

He'll run for president.

IRON EDGE.....

Little Wing · 09-10-2005, 07:13 PM

my advice to mr levrone, don't quit your day job. it takes more than a body to be arnold.

**Mudge** · 09-10-2005, 07:56 PM

In this case I dont think you can beat the original.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 08:05 PM

There was only one Ali and there is only only Arnold......Kevin is already forgotten.

Eggs · 09-10-2005, 08:40 PM

I dont know, its hard to say how this will turn out.

Arnolds the man.. but the man is getting old and he's not pulling off "Predator" and the like anymore.

I'm not a huge fan of Levrone, but I wouldnt be surprised to see "somebody" step in and try to take the Arnold spot.

**Mudge** · 09-10-2005, 09:04 PM

There has been plenty of try, but I think the point is there will probably never be another "Arnold" in our lifetimes.

Eggs · 09-10-2005, 09:10 PM

Speak for yourself Grandpa

09-10-2005, 06:11 PM	#1
IRON EDGE Use it or Lose it Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: England Posts: 4	Step aside, Governator. A new beefcake action star is in town. Severn native Kevin Levrone has long been known for his stellar body and was a force in the competitive world of bodybuilding throughout the 1990s, winning multiple honors before calling it quits in 2003 to follow in the footstep of his hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I've always wanted to do something in the entertainment industry," Mr. Levrone said. Eight months ago he moved to Hollywood to pursue his next challenge, making the move from muscle man to movie star. "This is where the entertainment industry is," he said in a recent coast-to-coast phone interview. Mr. Levrone met the future California governor in 1994, and a few years later was invited onto the set of Mr. Schwarzenegger's action flick "End of Days," where the star and former bodybuilding champion offered some expert advice. "He said, first of all, you're going to have to walk away from bodybuilding," Mr. Levrone remembered of his conversation with the seven-time Mr. Olympia. "I wasn't ready to do that." But it didn't take long for Mr. Levrone, a four-time Mr. Olympia runner-up himself, to catch the acting bug. Following the governor's advice, he changed his diet and dropped 55 pounds from his massive frame, topping out at 215 pounds, which Mr. Schwarzenegger suggested as a suitable "acting weight." Soon afterward, Mr. Levrone landed his first starring role in the movie "Backlash," in which he plays a hired assassin with a penchant for wine and poetry. His character, Turk, is the movie's lead villain. "Backlash" is being filmed in California and is expected to wrap at the end of the month, with a planned release in January. Mr. Levrone was able to travel to Trinidad while shooting the film and hopes to parlay his experience into a full-blown acting career. Starring in the female lead is Danielle Burgio, known in Hollywood for her stunt work in movies like "The Matrix" and "Pearl Harbor." Ken Shamrock, known for his skill in the popular hand-to-hand combat Ultimate Fighting Championships, which gave him his nickname "The World's Most Dangerous Man," takes part in a major fight scene with Mr. Levrone. "We have some confrontation and I've got to take some guys out," Mr. Levrone kidded about the fight scene. But he's serious about his acting and his fighting techniques. Mr. Levrone spent weeks with a professional stunt choreographer in preparation for the movie. He also honed his acting skills with drama coach Milton Katselas, who has helped people like George Clooney, Alec Baldwin, Tom Selleck and Michelle Pfeiffer become household names. Mr. Levrone said acting helps him deal with his troubled past. He lost his parents at a young age and says he feeds off such memories when playing a role. "Everything that I grew up around, that I saw, I apply it to my acting," Mr. Levrone said. "It's a very deep thing. I enjoy it. It's a way to express yourself." In bodybuilding, Mr. Levrone said, audiences only saw his outward appearances. "Everything was on the outside," he said, adding acting "lets them feel you come across." Asked if he plans to follow his mentor's lead later in life and run for governor, Mr. Levrone said no way. He'll run for president. IRON EDGE..... "THOSE WHO DARE WIN" Click here for Bodybuilding DVDs

09-10-2005, 07:13 PM	#2
Little Wing Mommmmmm, turn it down!!! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 23,758 Photos: 191	my advice to mr levrone, don't quit your day job. it takes more than a body to be arnold. "MUSCLE IS TRULY GUARANTEED IF YOU WILL HONESTLY work out to BE YOUR VERY BEST - GO FOR IT!!! BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!!!! Take Care, John H."

09-10-2005, 07:56 PM	#3
Mudge Dieting I swear! Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Here Posts: 23,477 Photos: 1	In this case I dont think you can beat the original. Kinesiology Comp Bench MaxCalc Motivation Bench form Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu

09-10-2005, 09:04 PM	#6
Mudge Dieting I swear! Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Here Posts: 23,477 Photos: 1	There has been plenty of try, but I think the point is there will probably never be another "Arnold" in our lifetimes. Kinesiology Comp Bench MaxCalc Motivation Bench form Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu

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09-10-2005, 08:05 PM	#4
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	There was only one Ali and there is only only Arnold......Kevin is already forgotten.

09-10-2005, 08:40 PM	#5
Eggs Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 7,008	I dont know, its hard to say how this will turn out. Arnolds the man.. but the man is getting old and he's not pulling off "Predator" and the like anymore. I'm not a huge fan of Levrone, but I wouldnt be surprised to see "somebody" step in and try to take the Arnold spot.

09-10-2005, 09:10 PM	#7
Eggs Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 7,008	Speak for yourself Grandpa