Benjamin Levy Aguilar – Filthy Rich

By: Robert Warren

Q) Please tell us the premise for the series “Filthy Rich.”

A) “Filthy Rich” is a show about a wealthy Southern family, who owns the largest Chrsitain TV network. The patriarch of the family dies in a plane crash and in his will, his wife (played by Kim Cattrall) comes to learn that he has three illegitimate children and I play one of them, Antonio Rivera. There’s drama, there’s humor and a lot of twists and turns. You won’t know what’s coming!

Q) In this show you play Antonio, an up-and coming MMA fighter, what is it about your character that drew you to wanting to portray him?

A) You mean besides being a series regular on my first acting job ever? And working with Tate Taylor and Kim Catrall? No, honestly, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to portray a young, single father who is just doing his best with what he’s been given. He’s such a layered character and breaks the stereotype that I am used to watching on TV for Latino characters. On top of that, I’ve had a passion for martial arts for more than a decade and I get to do what I love while improving my martial arts.

Q) You yourself have actually done some fight training with Israeli self-defense known as Krav Maga beginning at age fourteen, were you able to tie this into your MMA character Antonio?

A) Absolutely! The role certainly required a very high-level of training. MMA fighters have a specific body type, ways of moving and attitude that were important for me to capture with Antonio. I’ve had to train intensely on my kickboxing, jiu jitsu and wrestling techniques and really amp the intensity to get my body to the shape needed for the role. Even though MMA is different, I credit Krav maga with teaching me how to access my aggression and that is something that Antonio brings out when he’s on the mat. Don’t fuck with Antonio!

Q) In the show Antonio is an illegitimate son. How do you think this may affect Antonio’s behaviors?

A) Antonio comes into this a little bit differently. While the other illegitimate children are fighting for money, Antonio is also fighting for family. He is a young single father who finds a possibility for a new life with a sense of family for his son, the possibility of a new future.

Q) What can you tell us about your character Antonio that you bring to give him a deeper dynamic?

A) Growing up without a father and being raised by a single mom fostered in me a sensitive, soft-spoken side that you wouldn’t often see in a stereotypical fighter character. At the same time, I have been challenged to learn how to survive and reach high-levels of aggression throughout my life. I feel like those two extremes complement each other and make Antonio very interesting.

Q) What has been the most exciting part of working on this show for you?

A) Oh man, where do I even start! Literally EVERYTHING is new to me. Let me make a brief list for you: having my first screen test, getting my first TV credit, shooting my first pilot, getting the show picked up, transforming my body for the role, working with so many amazing people and learning from them at such an unbelievable pace.

Q) What do you think that makes your character Antonio tick, keep going, pressing on. What is his motivation?

A) Definitely it’s his little boy. He’d do anything for him

Q) Going into the series, who were you most looking forward to sharing a scene with?

A) Alanna Ubach. She is one of the greatest actors that I have ever seen. I learned so much this season working with her.

Q) What have you taken away from being a part of this show?

A) That I want to do this for the rest of my life.

Q) After playing Antonio for a while did you ever find yourself being or bringing elements of your character to the street, public or at home (where you’re like, “Wow, that’s Antonio coming out of me.”)?

A) Funny you ask that. I developed an ease with kids by having to take care of my twins on set. Whenever I’d go to dinner with friends that have kids, I’d feel that paternal instinct kicking-in and I just wanted to play with them (to the point that I totally ignored my friends!).

Q) In this show religion, power, and wealth collide: what is it about this mix that you think makes this show interesting?

A) I feel like those topics are definitely just the setting, but what makes the show interesting is the dynamic between the characters and their different points of view. I think it is a vital story for this day and age, where we have to learn to coexist and respect each other, despite our differences.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and your work?

A) This is such a surreal question for me. The fact that I now have fans and supporters is a beautiful thing and something that I am just barely starting to grasp. I want to tell them that I am grateful for them. Thank you for supporting my journey. I love you all. Truly.