Meet Daniel Zovatto, the ‘Nicest Guy on the Planet’ Who Plays a Killer in Anna Kendrick’sWoman of the Hour(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Daniel Zovatto stars in ‘Woman of the Hour.'.Photo:Sarah Krick

Sarah Krick

Woman of the Hourstar Daniel Zovatto creditsBlockbusterstores andLeonardo DiCapriofor sparking his interest in acting.

As a kid growing up in Costa Rica, “I just fell in love with movies,” says Zovatto, now 33. His father, who works in politics, shared his son’s passion for films and would rent videos from the now-defunct chain.

“I remember watchingWhat’s Eating Gilbert Grapeand thenBasketball Diaries, and I was like, who is this? This is the same kid?" he says, referring to DiCaprio. “And my little kid brain, I didn’t compute what that was, but my mom’s like, ‘This is acting.’ And I was like, ‘Holy s—. Well, I want to do that.’”

At the same time, he grew up watching his mom Sylvia Blanco on her local talk show “having a relationship with the camera,” he says.

Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto in ‘Woman of the Hour.'.Leah Gallo/Netflix

Leah Gallo/Netflix

He scored roles in primetime shows likeRevengeandAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D., films likeLady Birdand the acclaimed limited seriesStation Eleven.

Zovatto takes on his most challenging role yet inWoman of the Hour, the chilling true story ofserial killer and rapist Rodney Alcala, who appeared on an episode ofThe Dating Gamein 1978, ultimately charming contestant Cheryl Bradshaw (Pitch PerfectstarAnna Kendrick, who also directed the movie) into choosing him over two other bachelors.

Tony Hale, Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto in ‘Woman of the Hour.'.Leah Gallo/Netflix

The role requires him to be both sweet and menacing, often switching between the two instantly. “It seemed like a really exciting, cool challenge to go and do with Anna, who had full trust in me,” explains Zovatto.

Autumn Best, who plays one of Alcala’s would-be victims, says Zovatto couldn’t be more different from the creepy character he plays.

“Danny is just the nicest guy on the planet,” she says. “He’s so friendly and warm and supportive.”

Best, whomakes her film debut inWoman of the Hour, says Zovatto gave her a heartwarming pep talk.

Daniel Zovatto stars in Netflix’s ‘Woman of the Hour.'.Sarah Krick

“He was like, ‘I can tell that you’re very nervous and I can tell that you had a little bit of imposter syndrome coming into this, but you are so talented and there’s no reason why you should feel that way,’” remembers Best.

Though Zovatto himself has been acting professionally for 10 years, he feels like he’s “just starting” his own career.

“There’s a lot of exciting things that I want to do. I want to keep working with people that make me nervous to work with,” he says.

The married dad would also like to do voiceover work on an animated family film so the eight-month-old daughter he shares with wife Tara Holt can enjoy what he does (since it will be quite a few years till she can seeWoman of the Hour).

“I’ve always been a huge Pixar guy. I love those movies.Toy Story, Monsters Inc. — I grew up watching them,” he says. “It’ll be exciting to do movies for her one day.”

Woman of the Houris now streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com