You'd be hard pressed to find a show quite like Westworld. With accolades from critics and fans thoroughly dedicated to analyzing any semblance of symbolic imagery and compelling dialogue, it seems Westworld wouldn't be out of placed viewed in an undergrad English course rather than from a sofa.

Westworld's feel is often described as a sci-fi apocalyptic dystopian universe. The setting is centered around a theme park cared for by its eerily humanoid AI hosts.

One actual human close to the mystery of the Westworld park is Felix Lutz, played by Leonardo Nam. Felix is a body shop technician, part of the Livestock Management division of the Westworld park. Basically, he fixes hosts in need of repair.

Much like his character, Leonardo has a gift for creation — studying architecture in college before pursuing a career in acting. Leonardo's interests manifest in his works of charity. The Argentine-Australian actor has worked with Habitat for Humanity and many other organizations in an effort to give back. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Leonardo.

Where are you based?
La Jolla beach is where I call home at the moment.

What sparked your interest in acting?
I had always had an interest in acting, even as a teenager. But I made the leap into acting while I was studying Architecture in Sydney, Australia. I remember having this moment of clarity while getting off the bus to go to Architecture school. My Architecture school was on the left, and the Drama school was to the right, and I remember having this feeling that I had to make a right turn. The feeling that I needed to include acting in my life. The feeling that I needed to say “Yes” to moving in that direction. Some would call it crazy, some say listening to intuition.

Acting must have been very important to you, as you slept your first few nights in Central Park when you first moved to NYC. Can you tell us a little bit about this experience?
I was so young and hungry for a new experience. I wasn’t afraid of what my obstacles were. I had been accepted to HB Studios in New York, but I didn’t have any money, only a desire to learn about the craft of acting. That desire kept me going through challenging times. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone now, but at the time, no one could have told me differently. I had a vision, and I was going to do it no matter what.

The critically acclaimed, award-winning HBO series “Westworld” is returning for a season three, and naturally, that includes the fan-favorite, Felix Lutz. For those who don’t know, can you briefly tell us about your character?
Felix is a lab technician working at the Westworld park. An empathetic character who helps the robot host uprising by aiding Maeve (Thandie Newton) in her journey towards consciousness. It’s a love story about humanity in the midst of a dark dystopian world. He’s one of the few characters who help remind the audience what it means to be human.

Did the Westworld script writers ever divulge details behind plot points of season 1 and 2’s endings? Considering how complex the nature of the show is, how much detail did you know about the ending of season 1 and 2 vs. now with season 3?
Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy are such fantastic storytellers. They know how to create a world layered with nuance. They keep a lot of their cards close to their chest, and I wasn’t given a lot of info about the ending of the seasons, only what was in the scripts.

You are actually in a ton of great shows and films right now, but the fact that you are in Phobias, which recently came out in February, playing a man with robophobia (the irrational fear of robots) is kinda ironic with you being in Westworld. How did you balance those two characters?
Ultimately, I am drawn to characters that have something to say about humanity. I am particularly interested in technology, and how it affects our lives. Playing a character that was so far removed from the world of Westworld was a lot of fun. My character in Phobias is really focused on his journey to protect his father and overcoming his paranoia, in order to protect his father. Playing someone who has a phobia is really fascinating for me as an actor. Although they may seem very irrational to others, phobias are very real to the afflicted. The fun part of being an actor is to make them empathetic to the audience. I have another role in the Duplass Brothers Anthology series on HBO, called Room 104, where I play a guy who reconnects with an old elementary school friend after their lives have diverged, and only through their love of an old Atari-like game does their friendship rekindle. It’s a poignant and funny story that uses technology as a focal point for human connection.

Do you have a role that you hold particularly close to your heart?
My first studio film was The Perfect Score, and I played a character called Roy. I still value my experience on that movie so much. It was the first time I really saw how a Hollywood film was made, and it was thrilling to play opposite Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson.

You are also involved in a good amount of humanitarian work. Can you tell us a little bit about your work with Habitat for Humanity?
Especially in times like we are living in now, it’s exceptionally valuable to have organizations that help our neighbors who are going through a tough time. Habitat for Humanity helps people repair and improve their own homes and neighborhoods. Habitat's Disaster Response works with local communities to address a variety of housing needs after natural disasters. Habitat's advocacy work raises awareness and support for decent and affordable housing around the world.

Can you also tell us about your experience with the Koreatown Youth Community Center (KYCC), starting a youth writing program? Why was this important to you?
It’s important for me to find ways to help the community. If you don’t have money, you give with time. I was going through a period of reflection in my life. I had the need to give back in a meaningful way to me. I grew up in a struggling immigrant community back in Sydney, and I went to an after-school program similar to the ones available at the Koreatown Youth Community Center. My parents and I were immigrants, so I was a latchkey kid. They couldn’t afford after school care. It was because of places like KYCC that look for ways to help the immigrant community, I was exposed to a class for Public Speaking. That class opened my eyes to the power and excitement of performing in front of an audience. Additionally, being bullied is a private shame that many kids carry. I know I did! So, I wanted to help kids that were going through something similar. Being an immigrant, I knew that if I was able to tackle the bullying that the kids at KYCC were most likely privately experiencing and reframe it to an empowered POV. It would give the students a chance to overcome that painful experience. We changed the conversation of being bullied through the tool of poetry. The written word was the tool, and the performance of it empowered them publicly.

You also volunteered at the Kyabirwa Primary School in Uganda? What was that like and type of classes did you teach while you were out there?
I worked with the school as a volunteer teacher. I helped teach the kids basic computer literacy. The idea was to introduce technology to expand their abilities and opportunities in life. I was just so humbled and grateful to help by simply sharing skills that we take for granted like using the internet for search and chat. I feel that I gained so much more than I gave. These deserving kids taught me so much about life and to appreciate everything you have.

And finally, you also mentor juveniles in jails with the Unusual Suspects program. Why is this cause important to you?
This program has a writing element to it, and they use it to inspire imagination and co-operation. I was humbled to be able to share some of my drama school tools to engage in their storytelling. I think it is a powerful organization that helps people in jail communicate their feelings. Being understood and heard is a universal human desire that is powerful. We all need help, and I was proud to help them.

How are you handling these uncertain times?
I’m so saddened by the loss and devastation COVID-19 has had on all of us. That amount of change can spark fear and divisiveness, but I am hopeful that we remain connected to other humans and reach out with love and kindness. We need hope in these uncertain times, and I have hope for a better us as we get through this together.

How are you staying positive during your shelter-at-home?
Meditation has always helped me be centered and strong. I am also grateful for the extra time I have been able to spend with my three-year-old twin boys. And, the most grateful of all, we are out of the terrible twos!

What is your motto in life?
Take the good. Leave the bad.

To learn more about Leonardo Nam, please follow him via the below platforms:
Instagram: leonardo_nam
Twitter: leonardo_nam
Facebook: Leonardo Nam
YouTube: Leonardo Nam

Photography by Wil Cohen.

Leonardo Nam's World of Hope