Daniel Zovatto

Daniel Zovatto – Life, Career & Quotes of a Costa Rican Actor

Meta description:
Daniel Zovatto (born June 28, 1991) is a Costa Rican-American actor known for his roles in It Follows, Don’t Breathe, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Woman of the Hour. This article explores his background, filmography, style, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Daniel Zovatto Blanco is a Costa Rican-American actor whose work spans horror, drama, and thriller genres. He began his career with roles in independent horror films and has since appeared in major productions, balancing genre films and prestige television. His recent turn as serial killer Rodney Alcala in Woman of the Hour demonstrates his range and growing presence in Hollywood.

Early Life and Background

• Birth & Family
  Daniel Zovatto was born on June 28, 1991, in San José, Costa Rica. His mother is Sylvia Blanco, a Costa Rican television presenter, and his father is Daniel Zovatto Garetto, an Argentine political analyst.

• Early influences & move to the U.S.
  Zovatto attributes his fascination with acting to early exposure on his mother’s talk show sets. He also has said his interest in horror partly stemmed from childhood memories of watching The Shining with his father, who frightened him in those viewing sessions. As a young adult, he moved to New York City to pursue theater, then eventually relocated to Los Angeles to break into film and television.

Career & Notable Works

Beginnings & Horror Films

Zovatto’s early film roles leaned heavily into the horror and thriller genres:

• Beneath (2013): His feature film debut as Johnny in this horror thriller.

• Innocence (2013): He played Neils Hirsch in this supernatural drama.

• It Follows (2014): This became a genre standout; Zovatto portrayed Greg Hannigan.

• Don’t Breathe (2016): He played “Money,” in this tension-filled horror thriller.

Diversification & Television

Over time, Zovatto branched into varied roles across genres and formats:

• Laggies (2014): He played “Junior” in this coming-of-age / romantic comedy film.

• TV Guest & Recurring Roles:

  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2014) – guest appearance.

  • Revenge (2014) – recurring role as Gideon LeMarchal.

  • Fear the Walking Dead (2016) – recurring role as Jack.

  • Here and Now (2018) – main cast member, playing Ramón.

  • Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (2020) – he played a principal role as Tiago Vega.

  • Station Eleven (2021–2022) – he appears as Tyler Leander / The Prophet.

• Recent Film Highlights:

  • The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) – as Father Esquibel.

  • Woman of the Hour (2023) – as serial killer Rodney Alcala, a challenging role that gained attention for its complexity.

Style, Themes & Presence

• Zovatto’s career reflects a blend between genre cinema and dramatic, character-driven narratives. His early works in horror gave him a foothold, while his later roles have expanded his range.

• He gravitates toward characters with psychological or moral depth, especially those in tension or conflict (e.g. Woman of the Hour).

• In interviews, he’s described himself as someone who seeks roles that challenge perceptions—playing against type and pushing boundaries.

• Despite playing darker characters, co-stars and press highlight Zovatto’s warm personality off-screen. For Woman of the Hour, a co-star described him as “the nicest guy on the planet.”

Selected Quotes

Here are some quotes that give insight into Zovatto’s mindset, approach, and identity:

“You can feel that impact today.”
— On generational trauma and the shame inflicted on Indigenous or marginalized identities.

“Let me go and act… little by little, opportunities started to happen.”
— On persevering in his acting career despite uncertainty.

He has also spoken about being inspired by classic actors and the cinematic medium:

“I remember watching What’s Eating Gilbert Grape … I was like, who is this? This is the same kid.”
— Reflecting on how Leonardo DiCaprio’s performances influenced his interest in acting.

These quotes reflect his humility, ambition, and reverence for cinema’s emotional reach.

Lessons & Legacy

• Zovatto’s path affirms that early specialization in genre films can open doors, but versatility is crucial for long-term sustainability.

• His willingness to take on difficult, morally ambiguous roles shows the importance of artistic risk.

• His trajectory illustrates how actors from smaller film markets (Costa Rica) can cross over into Hollywood by persistence, authenticity, and smart role choices.

• He is also an example of how personal identity, influences, and vulnerabilities can inform one’s choices, rather than being hidden.