Highlights
- Daniel Zovatto plays real-life killer Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour on Netflix.
- Zovatto’s love for acting started early, inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio and his mom’s talk show.
- Despite his chilling role, Zovatto is known for being incredibly kind and supportive on set.
- Zovatto’s future goals include voiceover work for animated family films, inspired by his love for Pixar movies.
Daniel Zovatto, a Costa Rican actor, has been entertaining audiences for years, but his role in Woman of the Hour is unlike any other.
At 33, Zovatto is known for his versatility, taking on challenging roles, including playing the notorious serial killer Rodney Alcala in this chilling Netflix movie.
Growing up in Costa Rica, Zovatto’s love for movies was sparked early. His father, a political figure, introduced him to Blockbuster, where they would rent films together.
The moment that truly ignited his passion for acting was watching Leonardo DiCaprio in movies like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Basketball Diaries.
He recalls being amazed by how DiCaprio could play such different characters. “My mom said, ‘This is acting.’ I was like, ‘Holy s—. I want to do that.’”
Zovatto’s early inspiration didn’t stop at movies. He was also influenced by his mother, Sylvia Blanco, who hosted a local talk show in Costa Rica.
She had a special connection with the camera, which inspired Zovatto to follow his own dream of acting. “I just started being that annoying kid who wanted to act,” he shares.
Eventually, Zovatto moved to New York to pursue his dream. From there, his career took off, with roles in TV shows like Revenge, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the film Lady Bird.
However, it’s his role as Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour that is his most challenging yet.
Playing the Killer Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour
In Woman of the Hour, Zovatto portrays Rodney Alcala, the real-life murderer who appeared on the game show The Dating Game in 1978. Alcala’s charm helped him win over the show’s contestant, Cheryl Bradshaw, played by Anna Kendrick.
But behind his pleasant demeanor, Alcala was a dangerous serial killer. Zovatto’s portrayal requires him to seamlessly switch between being sweet and menacing, often in the same scene.
Anna Kendrick, who also directs the film, praises Zovatto for his ability to bring depth to the character. “He was the perfect choice,” Kendrick says, explaining that Zovatto’s performance was key to telling this true crime story in a gripping way.
The Nicest Guy on Set
Despite playing such a dark role, Zovatto’s castmates couldn’t be more complimentary about him.
Autumn Best, who plays one of Alcala’s would-be victims, describes Zovatto as “the nicest guy on the planet.” She recalls how Zovatto gave her a supportive pep talk when she was nervous about her first film role.
“He told me I was talented and there was no reason to feel imposter syndrome,” Best remembers.
Even though Zovatto has been acting for a decade, he feels like he’s just getting started. “There’s so much more I want to do,” he says, expressing his desire to work with people who challenge him and inspire him to grow.
Daniel Zovatto’s Future Projects
Zovatto is also thinking about the future, especially with his new role as a father. He and his wife, actress Tara Holt, have an eight-month-old daughter.
One of his goals is to do voiceover work for animated family films, so one day his daughter can enjoy his work.
He’s a huge fan of Pixar movies, like Toy Story and Monsters Inc., and dreams of making films that she can appreciate when she’s older.
