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Brian Lucci
Hey, I'm Brian Lucci, and this is the official one Chicago podcast Action. Things have shifted into high gear on Chicago Med and Fire. But after last night's PD episode with Officer Dante Torres, I want you to get to know the man behind the badge. He's passionate, he's thoughtful, and he's a sweetheart of a guy.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I grew up with a single mother just like Torres, and I think there's like a bond where you're. You're more than just the son. You take on different roles because you're kind of growing together and you're just trying to make things work.
Brian Lucci
That's right. Today we're diving in with Benjamin Levy Aguilar, AKA Taurus, AKA Ocean. When we talked, we went deep. Like, we dove right into this guy's heart. Benny told me all about his childhood growing up and how acting changed his entire life.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I was like, so scared until I saw someone, like, really place his heart on the table. It was just like, so raw. And I was like, I saw something different there. It wasn't an accent or this. It was just vulnerability.
Brian Lucci
That's Benjamin Levy Aguilar, and I got him in the hot seat right after this quick break. Don't go anywhere.
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Brian Lucci
Hi, I'm Brian Lucci and this is the one Chicago podcast. Today I'm joined by my good friend Benjamin. I love it. Otherwise known as Torres, Officer Torres on the show, Chicago pd. You joined us season nine. But not really, right?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, yeah, not really really. There's a.
Brian Lucci
So we'll get in that in a minute. I remember the first time I, I looked at you, I'm like, okay, who is this beautiful man? I'm gonna have to train him. Please God, let him be able to hold a gun or at least be able to point it. You know, there's a lot of people that come on and they have no idea in two minutes. I think I nicknamed you the Leopard because you were quick, right? And you're pounce and you were awesome. I didn't know, but you were trained.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
In grab my guy.
Brian Lucci
Israeli martial arts, tactical shooting and evasive driving skills, which ended up being a problem. I mean, you were a good fighter, great with the gun. You knew everything. But do you remember what the one problem I had with you because you were trained that way.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I wasn't bleeding. Right.
Brian Lucci
And I know you were perfectly bladed. What did you do with your gun before you would point it at an offender?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh, yeah, I would rack it.
Brian Lucci
You would rack the slide?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah. So, yeah.
Brian Lucci
So for people out there that don't know what that means is when you pull your weapon, there's not one in the pipe, as they call it, you'd have to rack the slide to get a bullet in the chamber. So because he was trained and then so Good at it. He was so quick that every time we were filming, Mr. Torres would pull his gun quickly, rack his slide, and.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I'd be like, benny, we don't. We don't do that.
Brian Lucci
Ben, cut for a second, please. Poor Benny had to be untrained. You had to be untrained how to do it.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yes.
Brian Lucci
You told me this beautiful story. You were an extra, and you had to sit like all the other extras across Hollywood, and you were just another number. And you told me one day they picked you to be a boxer.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh, yeah, yeah. My first show. Yeah. Well, that was, like. It was crazy because I came to la, you know, this Hollywood thing, it's invisible Hollywood, right, that you don't know where it starts or how to go in, because it doesn't exist. You know, it's just this, like, thing. And after being an extra for so long and working, you know, random jobs like Chipotle and, like, teaching self defense and whatever, I booked my first audition and I booked the lead in a TV show where I played an MMA fighter. And it was this surreal experience because I had come from being an extra in show. In a show where it's like 500 extras and we're, like, freezing, kind of sharing little. The heaters.
Brian Lucci
Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
You know, we're just, like, trying to stay warm, and we just, like. It was just a number, you know, and. And then I was the lead of the show, and there was, like, 500 extras cheering for me, and I was in the center of an octagon, and it was like my episode. And the. The director, Tate Taylor, was there in the audience. And I just had this moment where I couldn't contain, like, my emotions because I was like, this is so surreal that I'm standing here and there's 500 extras looking at me, and I'm about to do a scene. There's, like, three cameras looking at me, and I have the whole fight choreography and, like. And it's my episode. I had to get out of the cage and thank Tate Taylor, because he was, you know, the first person to really give me a, you know, a shot like that.
Brian Lucci
I remember me and you were sitting. It was at lunchtime. And sometimes I get a little emotional, but we share stuff because I give you vulnerable police show. This is what happened to me. This is how it affected me. This is how I move forward from it sometimes. It never goes away. And you ask these questions, and you want to know these questions, but also, in return, I have to know about you. Like when you told me about your mother she basically drove you to Hollywood or she got you on a plan. How did that go? Can you tell me something?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah. I was going through a really hard time in Guatemala. I was 18 and things weren't going well. I was emotionally not okay and mentally not okay. And I had all these different plans that I didn't really necessarily want to do. I was supposed to go to the army and I told my mom. I was like, I don't, I don't know what I, what I need to do in my life, but I don't want to go and I don't want to. I don't know what to do. I feel stuck. And she, we were like renew. Going to, on the way to like the DMV in Guatemala to like renew the license. And we're just in a traffic light. And she was like, just thinking and she just blurted out, she was like, you like movies? We always watch movies, so why don't you just do that? I was just like, what do you mean? Because in Guatemala at that time especially there was no industry of film industry, at least that I knew of. It wasn't even about a big dream, it was just non existent. A big dream would have been playing with Barcelona or in real Madrid. That's a big dream.
Brian Lucci
Soccer.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
A soccer. But film is literally another dimension. It's not talked about. You just go see this, these stories in this TV box and you just think it's. You don't even know how it's made. Do you know what I mean? At least at that time. And she just opened my mind to like, oh, this possibility that you can go and be an actor. And all of a sudden I started realizing how much I did love movies. And we used to be in the car with my brother going to like the lake in Guatemala and he would like, we would pretend like I was like this robot. And he would be like, I want to watch this movie. And I would like do the whole movie for him. All the voices, the accents of each character, let's say, remembering the lines, the lines, even the music. I had like a bunch like five to six movies memorized from top to bottom in my head. And I started realizing all these things. It was like a flash of like this excitement. It was truly just innocent excitement. And she said, look, I mean Brad Pitt, he just like packed his bags and he went to Hollywood. He dropped out of college or something and just went there, so just do it. And it was the excitement that just brought me. It was, you know, you packed up your ticket. Yeah. She literally Told me. She was like, you go take a one way ticket. You don't come back until you make it, and we'll just put it on the credit card. And I was like, yeah. She was like, do it right now. Call the airline. She just pushed me and, And I, I just, I did it. It was January 1st, a red eye to Los Angeles.
Brian Lucci
So you land in la, you got a couple bags in your hand. Not product pants like you're wearing now, but older pants, right? Yeah, yeah. Not a cool jacket. No Prada back then. So you land in LA with two garbage bags.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
How did you find somewhere to stay?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
You. I was talking to people in. On the plane, I think a guy in the airplane told me about. You know, you just. There's hostels in North Hollywood. There's like a lot of places you can go and like, find a room. Oh, my God. And I, I took a cab to like this hostel called Chateau du Soleil. And it was like six roommates in one room. Like, it was like bunk beds and like one communal shower that all wanted to be actors too, or just some filmmakers, some. Maybe music, mostly actors. And I'm going in with like a big luggage and this guy comes out who is now still my best friend. And he, he says, hey, bro, we're gonna go to an acting class. You want to come? And I was like, okay, well, I guess I should learn how to act if I'm gonna be an actor. So we got on this like, 1990 Toyota 4Runner with no, like, radio. It was like the cables were hanging out because there's no radio. And like, I don't even know what. We're just like going to this acting class and I, I step into this new world where people are like, doing monologues and accents and dancing and crying. And I was laying in the back with like a hoodie. And I was like, what am I? What did I just get into? And I was so scared. I was like, so scared until I saw someone like, really place his heart on the table. It was just like so raw. And I was like, I saw something different there. It wasn't just an accent or this. It was just vulnerability. And I knew I had that. I went to him and I said, you know, like, I want to learn this. And the teacher, Anthony Gilardi, who's like a dear person in my life still, he was so passionate. He was this street kid, like a guy, but older guy, but he was like a street kid from Boston that just fell into this as well. Like, it was just A perfect storm of just people. Outcasts, maybe, or, like, it was a very special energy in that studio.
Brian Lucci
All hungry.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, all hungry. And all from. Most of them from very tough places. And I. And that's where I was. Like, I understood that if I can understand my own pain and transcend my own pain or at least be able to look at it in the eye, then Hollywood disappears.
Brian Lucci
Oh, wow.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
That's beautiful.
Brian Lucci
So you didn't first play Torres. That didn't happen. You were picked. I think it was season seven or eight. I'm not sure.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I think seven.
Brian Lucci
And. And you came on to Chicago pd. How'd you get that? Was there an agent that was involved? How did you know? Because you came in as, like, what they call one off or a day player, correct?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, yeah, yeah. My first, like, audition, big audition, was for this pilot called Filthy Rich, and I booked it. It was a series regular, so it was like I was thrown into the deep end. And while that pilot was being waited to get picked up, all our next auditions was Chicago PD guest star. And I did the audition, and I booked it, so it was like my second job. What the hell is this about, man? What the hell is this about, man? Brian Kelvin. What, you think I had something to do with that? Did you? Hell, no, man. I never even. Yo, I never even met the guy, man. Y' all crazy. Settle down. No, don't tell me to settle down. I ain't done nothing. Where were you last night, Franco? I was in Detroit visiting my sister. I got home this morning. Yo, I'm not carrying anything, bro. No drugs, no gun.
Brian Lucci
So you came in as a bad guy?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I came in as a.
Brian Lucci
He came in as a bad guy. And then I heard the rumors, like, spinning around, like, anytime Jason Begay, who plays Void, everybody knows he gets excited about something. You. You see him, and he'll start secretly walking around, and you know what. What's he up to now? And then he'll come, like, whisper in my ear, you got to tell Chad. Yeah. I said, I think Chad picked him. Chad Sexton, who's our directing producer. And when they had you reread, and I'm not 1,000%, but it was Chad who said. And also Jason McGay. Hey, what about Benjamin?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
Am I right?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, that was for the second.
Brian Lucci
This to become Doris.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, exactly. Which was such a. It was just so meant to be, Lucci, because I. After I did that guest star, I remember meeting Jason. He was so generous with me. He's taught me about lighting. He was like, Stand here. Look at. In this eye. Look into this eye. And I was just this raw actor, you know, I didn't know anything. I was just, like, just going with my instincts. And he said. He said, what's your name, kid? And I told him, and he said, I'm going to remember you. And then I was in Guatemala when I got a call from my agents. They wanted me to play Torres.
Brian Lucci
Oh, really? I didn't know that.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah. And I.
Brian Lucci
You blew him away then.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
So I was confused because we were. I had done it already, so I was like, it's a different role. I don't know if they remember that same bad guy. Yeah. And. And they said, no, they know exactly who you are. And if you shave your head and you're in Chicago by Wednesday, the role is yours. And I. I came, I got there, and I shaved my head, and I did the first table read. And Jason said, I told you I was gonna remember you. Ribs busted up, you got jumped out of your gang, and now you're going downstate solo without your people. You're gonna end up in a pine box.
Brian Lucci
Does your relationship with your mom in real life have an impact on how you shaped Taurus relationship with his mom on the show?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, that's a good question. I think so. I think I grew up with a single mother just like Torres.
Brian Lucci
Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
And I think there's, like, a bond where you're. You're more than just the son. You take on different roles, you know, you're also like a best friend if it works that way, and if you're lucky, you know, and you are sometimes kind of like a brother, sister, you know what I mean? Because you're kind of growing together, and you're just trying to make things work. And I think that there's some dynamic there.
Brian Lucci
That's what I was just gonna say. There's a cool dynamic.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
You two being in it together.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
Brian Lucci
So, Benjamin, we. We talk about cost, you know, not just cost for the show, but cost for the actor himself. You know, what they put into all of this. And. And I know that you went through some traumatic stuff growing up and things, and I know that we did a couple episodes that were a little too close for home at the end of the day. How would you explain as an actor, how you deal with it?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, because, you know, it was close to home, and I, you know, there was definitely triggers in my own trauma that would. Would be sparked because of the violence in that episode or because of the noises and the lights, which I. You know, I have, unfortunately, I guess, experience in personally, and that's a beautiful question, because it's been. It's evolved. That answer has evolved for me. At the beginning, I would feel like it would cost me to go to those places. And what I've learned, it was like, make sure you go back to Benjamin. When you go back home, Don't. Don't bring the character home with you. If you like to watch a TV show like Friends, put on Friends, take a hot shower and wash off the character, put on music that you like, keep things for yourself that are yours. So you have a separation. Right.
Brian Lucci
That darkness will stay with you.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
So for me, at that time in my life, it was a cost to do these roles. Now, I'm not saying it's not scary, because scary it is, and painful in some ways it is, but it's no longer a cost, because ever since I've been through this, like, journey, you know how much I meditate on set, and I'm just in silence. I've been able to kind of, like, obliterate my own personality of Benjamin. It's not solidified anymore, which is one of the most beautiful things that I've ever felt. So now there's no difference between Torres and Benjamin, because for me, both of them don't exist because they're both characters. So now I don't have to go back to Benjamin, because who is Benjamin anyways and who is Torres? They're just characters I put on. Like, right now, I'm being. I'm being a character because it is.
Brian Lucci
I want to do that. I want to live outside, you know.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Because, like, then when you go somewhere else, you go to your family or you go to your friends, and you're a different Lucci. Right. And you're a different one right now because you're in this place, but it's still kind of like, in the same personality. But the more we're able to transcend that personality, then we're just free to put on any mask we want. I don't know if that answers the question.
Brian Lucci
No one answers the question. This job that is incredible is therapy.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
You know what I mean? Like, you could go to places that you didn't want to go to, but you're forced to go to. And at the end of the day, holy cow. And you know me and you argue all the time. I was like, this is what. I go through the door. I do this. I'd have the guy on the ground. But you do you.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
And you even yell, see Laughing.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
What do you tell me? You just say the best, like, the most truthful. Because there's no one that has that experience in this situation that we're trying to shoot. So you give the true experience and then you say, but you do you like. It's like, we can't argue with that truth. You know, it's like, of course I'm going to do that.
Gwen Segan
That.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Drop your weapon. Drop it. Drop your weapon now. Don't do it. I mean, most likely a version of that.
Brian Lucci
You always come up with a beautiful version. And I'm. And I'm always, like, blown away. Like, man, I wish I'd have did that in real life. But it's those questions that make it so authentic and so realistic and, yeah, awesome to do.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
I speak of last season. Season 12, Episode 2 Rusic was.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh, yeah, Drained. That was another one of my favorite episodes.
Brian Lucci
Yeah, that was so good. Burch is in a cafe. Drained.
Podcast Promo Voice
Thank you.
Gwen Segan
More where that came from. Just give me a shout.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, you and this.
Brian Lucci
Well, why?
Shopify Advertiser
Why?
Brian Lucci
Because you're putting your whole heart into it. You know, you're asking questions. Luch. Does this make sense or can I call Gwen on this or what? Because you're in it. You know what I mean? Like, and I love the arguments. The arguments are great because you're not just showing up. You're not just saying lies.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I think that's what makes this show great. I truly think that's. It's the collaboration. Even though he. I guess for some people, sometimes it could be a little frustrating because there's more voices, there's more debate, there's more discussions. That's the beauty. It's different points of views, strong points of views, valid points of views. Kind of like talking it out with no ego or. As little as possible.
Brian Lucci
As little as possible. Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
You know, and then coming up with. Coming out with the truest version, you know, the deepest truth. It's like a dynamic that. That has been said by Jason, by Gwen, by you, of just. No, talk to me. What's going on? What do you feel? Uncomfortable. Okay. He doesn't. Doesn't feel like he would do that. He would like that collaboration, that collaborative process is, I think, being able to.
Brian Lucci
Talk to visiting directors and say, no, I wouldn't do that.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Exactly.
Brian Lucci
Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah. That's all right. Special.
Brian Lucci
What did I tell you? Benny's the real deal. And we're going to unpeel some more layers when we come back after this break.
Podcast Promo Voice
The detective said missing kids usually come home. What happens when they don't.
Brian Lucci
Based on a true story. Police looking for John Gacy. We discovered bodies by the looks of it.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
The younger man. The things he did to those kids. He's sick.
Podcast Promo Voice
The system failed these families.
Brian Lucci
Devil in disguise. John Wayne Gacy. Streaming now only on Peacock.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Do you know how many there are?
Brian Lucci
Up to you to find out.
Roz Hernandez
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Brian Lucci
We'Re back with Benjamin Levy Aguilar, Chicago PD's Officer Dante Dorris. We spoke earlier about your background training in Graf Maga. How did that help you on Chicago pd? Can you tell me?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I did it for so long. It was truly the most intense time of my life. It became how I walk, it became how I talk, it became everything that I do as Torres too. So it's beyond even the skills that I learned. Evasive driving and gunpowder and knowing how to the blood in the hands were racking so much. That's like the minimal part of it. It was more just like who you become as a person. So I became someone throughout that time in my life when people are going to high school. I was going through a lot, you know, and I was like learning Krav Maga and not sleeping and waking up at 3am and going to this, the darkest parts of Guatemala where you just see dogs on the street and like literally gang members, everyone. I'm training into these places with gang members and former gang members and I'm like a white boy in Guatemal, Guatemala. My skin tone and my color eyes and whatever. And they're. They're happy to have you at 3am and just mess with you and stuff. So, like, I think that just made me the way I conduct myself in life, so.
Brian Lucci
Yeah, because you're street smart, you move well. And I remember when they put you in this fight scene. Do you remember the camera?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh, my God. It was.
Brian Lucci
It was. It. It was where you live, where your character lives.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, yeah.
Brian Lucci
Remember?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh, my God. I remember seeing. Looking at you and you. You said, that was it. And then when Jason saw that episode. Yeah, because that was like my first primal.
Brian Lucci
You went beef.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, that was my first. Like an episode based on Torres. It was the first one.
Brian Lucci
Let me show you who Torres really is. Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
And that's what Jason told me. He was like, getting inside the trailer. I was like, excited to kind of, like, hear what Jason had thought because I was still, like, kind of new finding him, whatever. And he was like that moment. That's him.
Brian Lucci
And when we filmed it, we had all these special cameras set up where you weren't really beating the guy. You pounded the ground in your face. Spit and the sweat, and you gave it it all. And the scream that came out of you.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, we're like, who is this guy? Yeah, that was. I transformed in that.
Brian Lucci
Yeah, because you were this quiet, beautiful soul. And then out of nowhere, this demon evolved.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, totally. That was incredible.
Brian Lucci
You seem to almost have all the training to be a real life cop. But what did you need to learn to become Officer Dante Torres?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
When I talked about the experience I had in Guatemala was fighting the aggression, the hunger, and the tactical shooting. And the skill was. But the cop part, I had none of that. That I learned from you. You have taught me everything that I know about that world. I mean it, Lucy. I'm not going to let you get away with that. And that's also a part of the power you allowed me to have was as to. Was to follow my instincts. But I want to make it clear that a lot of that part that was missing, everything of that I've learned through you, through our conversations.
Brian Lucci
Thank you.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Through your own vulnerability, void and voids. And obviously Gwen, you know, but in the cop sense, it's been through.
Brian Lucci
Because we work hard.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, we work hard.
Brian Lucci
When do you feel like you. You unlocked or truly understood who Torres is?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Probably that night with that fight scene. And then I remember the episode with Patty that we're trying to see this dirty cop that's in the units, and it was me and Patty together. I just. I found a different Level of stillness in myself and confidence in a different way. You done? There's a lot of people watching. Wouldn't want to give yourself away. I'd step back if I were you. This is why I became a cop.
Brian Lucci
In just a few seasons, Taurus has had a really compelling dramatic tension that has led us into the backstory. Reliving the trauma, going undercover in a juvie, which is season 12. The Good shepherd torn between protecting a woman he loves, betraying the teen that he loves, and sleeping with Gloria. Gloria, his CI as an actor, is it kind of fun having your character dramatically tortured so much, or is it hard for you?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I love it.
Brian Lucci
You love it? You like it?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I love feeling so intensely. I've always been that way. I've always wanted to go deeper in life. That's literally what drives me. And it aligns with, I guess, my type of. I guess acting or the type of roles that I've gotten. And doesn't mean it's easy, and it doesn't mean it's just simple. You know, I go through a rollercover. I feel so alive, man. Like, when I have an episode like that, I know that the depths that I've gone. Even just going to a grocery store and picking up a banana is different. I walk in like I'm so alive. I can't even explain it better than that. Like, I. No matter what I do outside of their job, if I'm driving a car, if I'm going to the gym, the days or the weeks that I'm in, that intensity and that energy, it's a different life. It's high.
Brian Lucci
You're high.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
You're high. You're grounded. You're like. You're transcending. When I was with Marion, I did horrible things to survive. But then I found God in this.
Brian Lucci
Job.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
And I made a choice. I chose to do good each day to restore myself. It's the most beautiful thing. That's what I'm addicted to. I'm addicted to this. I mean, I've told it to Jason, like, throughout this. These past seasons, I've realized that I want to do this for the rest of my life.
Brian Lucci
Chicago PD can be gritty and dark. What are the most fun scenes for you to play as Torres?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Torres hasn't had that many emotionally light moments, but it's fun for me to play the tough moment. So I guess in that sense, everything. Because he's always going through so much.
Brian Lucci
Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
But also, I guess what stands out is, you know, I'm always excited to do fight Scenes. I love doing the episodes with Yara and.
Brian Lucci
Oh, Yara. So great.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah. And with Mia, like the love interests that I've had on this show, that's kind of minimizing even. They're bigger than that. But like, those moments with that. Those storylines have actually been really fun because they go so deep and they've been beyond just like a love story. There's just been so many complexities and. And two amazing actresses that I've been so fortunate to work with. Truly, they're amazing. Both of them been so deep that they make me have to go deeper because they're so real. So when do you get off? I'll throw some food in with our drinks.
Gwen Segan
You're an idiot. You can't go from pissing me off to hitting on me.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
All right, so we have to do it here, though, cuz I want the discount.
Gwen Segan
I'm off in a couple hours.
Brian Lucci
Here's a cool question. What's your favorite thing that happens behind the scenes that fans wouldn't know about? And I'm not talking about when they bring you egg salad.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I think. I truly think a big part of that is, like, our conversations.
Brian Lucci
The void stuff. Yeah, ours. The void. Yeah. Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
You conversations. My conversations with void. Jason has been such a generous person with me and such an incredible, like, you know, friend and like, just mentor. He's just. He's. I've learned so much from him. And he's. He's so real. He's so present. It's intimidating in a good way.
Brian Lucci
Like, not just to you, to everyone. To everyone.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Director.
Brian Lucci
When you say something.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
And he knows that that's not just so present that it really, like. I love that energy. Even when it's a nervousness, it really makes me go even deeper.
Brian Lucci
We call them walkways.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah. Yeah.
Brian Lucci
Someone will say, luch. I know when you're. When me and you are talking and we're half like, we're across the street.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
And they're about to shoot. There's techniques that they know.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
You know what I mean? Like, there's certain.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
Wiggle the ear. Like, they know, like we're in it. I can't come out of that.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
Sometimes you say, no, cameras aren't going up. We don't have this.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Right.
Brian Lucci
You know, and they respect that.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I think I live for those moments where I. Because I discover of myself, I discover of the character. I get to go deeper with human beings, you know, that's. That's really what the glue for me of everything is being able to Create that. You know, I think there's actors that plan out a lot and it works for them. I don't do that. Like, for me, it's like I like to not know and to live it and to. Because at first I would walk out and like kind of be like. And I still do it. I could have done it better. But Jason said that to me at the beginning. He said, don't get caught up with that. Like, you're not supposed to necessarily feel like you need to try again. Sometimes you just know it's right.
Brian Lucci
Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
And that's it. And I've tried to own that more and more. I've learned throughout this process. My process in my experience as an actor and my process in my meditation is to be able to look at yourself objectively when you watch an episode. When you watch yourself and be like, I'm able to see, oh, iPhone that I could have done better. And sometimes see a scene, I'm like, that was beautiful. And like, give yourself that.
Brian Lucci
Give yourself that credit.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
That was great. I was incredible.
Brian Lucci
A lot of people don't.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
You know what I mean? A lot of people don't. And I think it's very important to like be able to see yourself objectively. It changes everything because then you can see outside of your own self and your own ego and tweak things and understand that this is not the way to do this. And everything just starts changing when you're able to see yourself objectively.
Brian Lucci
My father used to had a great saying for me one time. He says, you know, God made the body perfect. It's hard to kick yourself in the ass. And it's hard to pat yourself on the back.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Right?
Brian Lucci
It really is.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
And it's harder to pat yourself on the back sometimes. Right.
Brian Lucci
What's a moment last season where the people in production, either the designers, the special effects stunts, anybody pulled off something that was so really impressive to you. Filling the fans for some of the coolest behind the scenes magic you've seen.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh, my God.
Brian Lucci
I mean, I know one.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
You know one.
Brian Lucci
I'm trying to think when you did your rain episode.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh my, yes. Yeah. That was. Created a world. Chicago PD well being check.
Brian Lucci
Anyone.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I've been so fortunate to have really special episodes like that. Like, because I remember people saying that hasn't happened, never happened. You know, like, Gwen thought it was a great idea.
Brian Lucci
Let's have it rain the whole time.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
It was a character of its own. Just like Chicago is a character on the show. Yeah, the city of Chicago is a character.
Brian Lucci
Right.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
The Rain, in that episode is a character.
Brian Lucci
No judgment here. No judgment. How much time does it take to apply your tattoos?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Depends on the day, I guess. But what we're. I think. Yeah. What we're going to see. But when it's like a full body, you know, thing. Yeah. It could be an hour and a half, sometimes more, I think.
Brian Lucci
Yeah. Doris has these amazing tattoos that were created, but they're all over your back, arms, everything.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, yeah.
Brian Lucci
And they put you in a white T shirt.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
So winter is fun. We don't have to do all.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Winter is fun in that sense, for sure.
Brian Lucci
Here's a segment called Last Season, and looking ahead, can you describe your perfect life partner for Taurus?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Wow. I think it would be someone that understands and allows him to. To go out of character, that allows him to. To take it easy on himself. I think he needs someone to be able to give him that. That permission. So do you? Yeah.
Brian Lucci
And all the other use.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, basically.
Brian Lucci
Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah.
Brian Lucci
Okay, Benjamin, it's time for our lightning round of Rapid fire. Not fire. This should be called the Rapid pd, right? Okay, Benjamin, it's time for Rapid PD Quest.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Okay.
Shopify Advertiser
All right.
Brian Lucci
I'm looking for spontaneous utterances. If you could bring any character from any Wolf Entertainment show. I'm talking Law and Order, svu, FBI, or any one of our other Chicago shows onto Chicago pd, who would you choose to bring on and why?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I bring Olensky back because I've heard so much about him. Like, I would like to see him work and, like, see his dynamic, because he's probably the one, the character that I hear the most about.
Brian Lucci
Okay, so you floored me twice now with your answers. When he speaks of Olensky, that's Alvin Alinsky, who was one of our former characters in the first maybe six seasons of Chicago pd. We miss him dearly. All right, Benjamin, which PD character would you want to be at your side or holding your six when you're about to breach through a bad guy's door?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Jesse.
Brian Lucci
You trust Jesse the most. Good. I'm going to tell everybody I'm calling Atwater after this right now. Yeah. Jesse would be your man.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Right? I mean, we. We came up to it, too, you know.
Brian Lucci
Jesse Lee hall, also known as Officer Halstead.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
There we go.
Brian Lucci
Benjamin, which PD character would you most want to go on vacation with and why?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Probably at Water.
Brian Lucci
I'm getting now. That's Leroy's. Hawkins plays Kevin Atwater. Why. Why him?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
He just seems like fun. All your food.
Brian Lucci
You ever. You ever go to lunch with him? He's Mr. Pickers.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Yeah, he just seems like a. Cool is cool, you know? Yeah.
Brian Lucci
Benjamin, if you could pick one castmate to throw into the interrogation room, sweat him a little bit, and ask them a burning question that you always wanted to know the answer to, who would you pick to throw into the interrogation room, and what would that question be?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Oh, my God, that's so tough, man. For some reason, it's void. I don't know exactly know what I would ask him, but I definitely. He's just so intriguing and so deep. Like, I would like to maybe ask him what he's afraid of.
Brian Lucci
Oh, that's good.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I don't know what. Why he is the way he is, I guess.
Brian Lucci
Benjamin, do you feel like you're becoming serious competition for Larois for the Sexiest Cop Award next year? And what will it take to get you there?
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I think Laroi should watch out for this season. I'm gonna bring some fire.
Brian Lucci
All right, So I love you, and you know I love you, and I can. We've cried, we've laughed, we fought, we've argued, we've wrestled. You are so much fun on set, and you bring so much life. You didn't have to do this. Like, this is your time off. I really, really appreciate it.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
I love you, man. And I'm really excited about everything we're creating together, truly.
Brian Lucci
That was sweet. Benjamin Levy Aguilar, such a special guy to know, to talk with and to watch on screen. And he's also fun to write for. Well, at least that's what Gwen Segan says. She's the Chicago PD showrunner. When she and I talked, I asked her to pick out a scene with Benny that she really liked.
Gwen Segan
There's a scene where Benny looks into the mirror, and I don't even think it looks like Benny. I'm like, who is it where he. Suddenly. It's like he's a different character. And it's amazing. It's just so stripped and raw and, like, there's so much shame and pain in it. And. Yeah, that. That's probably. That's the one that will stick with me.
Brian Lucci
I also asked Gwen if anything she writes affects her personally, as she talked about Taurus arc for this season and how he's wrestling with his fate in the latest episode.
Gwen Segan
I'm not personally a religious person, but that storyline for him was so impactful and so interesting that I think it's so relatable because it's his sense of self and it's his sense of, like, foundation and how he makes decisions in the world. And when that is shaken, he just.
Shopify Advertiser
Had.
Gwen Segan
No North Star anymore. I mean, the man's lost and he's in so much pain. It was really interesting because I did a lot of research for it. You know, was reading the Bible for it. Like, it makes it a lot more fun when you're learning something as you're going to. And that one, I think because of just the emotional headspace that he was in, you kind of have to put yourself in it to write it and try to write it.
Brian Lucci
Well, that was Gwen Segan, an officer Dante Doris, played beautifully by my friend and now yours, Benjamin Levy Aguilar. Keep watching Chicago PD for that amazing son of a gun. And keep listening to this podcast. We got more to come next week. Once Chicago airs on Wednesday night at 8, 7 Central on NBC and you can stream it on Peacock, the One Chicago podcast. This is a production of Wolf Entertainment and USG Audio. The series is hosted by me, Brian Lucci. It's executive produced by Dick Wolf, Elliot Wolf and Steven Michael at Wolf Entertainment, Josh Block at USG Audio and John Yell Kastner at Spoke Media. Our showrunner is Derek John. Our producer is Maggie Dubrizi and our audio producer is Jason Mark. Video production by Bo Delmore. Coordinating production by Tess Ryan. Our production assistant is Montserrat Rodriguez. With engineering and mix by Evan Arnett and original music by John o'. Hara. This series is produced by Spoke Media and distributed by Realm. Production support for USG Audio by Josh Lalonghi. If you'd like to watch this interview, check out NBC One Chicago on US YouTube for this conversation and others, I'm Brian Luch. Thanks for listening and we'll see you all soon.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Cut.
Podcast Promo Voice
The detective said missing kids usually come home. What happens when they don't?
Brian Lucci
Based on a true story. Police looking for John Gacy. We discovered bodies.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
By the looks of it, they're younger men. The things he did to those kids. He's sick.
Podcast Promo Voice
The system failed these families.
Brian Lucci
Devil in disguise. John Wayne Gacy. Streaming now only on Peacock.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Do you know how many there are?
Brian Lucci
Up to you to find out.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Hey, Michael.
Brian Lucci
Hey, Tom.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Okay, so you want to tell him? What do you want me to tell?
Brian Lucci
No, no, no. I, I, I got this. I want people out there. Yeah, people lean in. Get close. Get close. Listen, here's the deal. We have big news. We got monumental news. We got snack tactical news. Yeah.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
After a brief hiatus, my good friend Michael Ian Black and I are coming back.
Brian Lucci
My good friend Tom Kavanaugh and I are coming back.
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To do what?
Brian Lucci
We do best, what we were put.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
On this earth to do, to pick.
Brian Lucci
A snack, to eat a snack and to rate a snack. Typically emotionally spiritually Mates is back. Mike and Tommy Snacks is back. A podcast for anyone with a mouth with a mouth.
Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Host: Brian Lucci
Guest: Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Date: November 6, 2025
This episode of the One Chicago Podcast shines a spotlight on Benjamin Levy Aguilar, who plays Officer Dante Torres on Chicago P.D. Host Brian Lucci—a former cop and current producer—leads an in-depth, heartfelt conversation exploring Benjamin’s unique journey from Guatemala to Hollywood, his connection to his character, the real-life experiences he brings to the role, and revealing insights into the craft and culture behind the scenes of Chicago P.D.
Fun, revealing answers from Benjamin:
| Time | Segment | |----------|-------------| | 03:55–07:36 | Benjamin’s background in Guatemala, moving to LA, support from his mother | | 10:06–12:29 | Early Hollywood struggles, hostel life, finding acting community | | 12:31–14:11 | First roles on Chicago P.D., memorable introduction to Jason Beghe | | 16:34–18:36 | Handling trauma, self-care, philosophy on acting and healing | | 24:01–25:44 | Krav Maga’s impact on Torres and Benjamin personally | | 28:30–29:47 | Embracing emotional depth, the “high” of playing tortured roles | | 30:26–30:59 | Favorite scenes, working with Yara and Mia, love interests | | 32:20–34:28 | Mentorship from Jason Beghe, process, and self-reflection | | 35:19–36:29 | The rain episode, tattoo application, BTS magic | | 37:08–39:24 | Lightning round: cast hypotheticals and fun answers | | 40:13–41:38 | Gwen Segan on writing for Torres and Benny’s best scenes |
This podcast episode offers a moving and insightful look at the real person behind Chicago P.D.'s Dante Torres. Benjamin Levy Aguilar’s story is defined by resilience, passion, and sincerity—qualities that echo in his nuanced portrayal of Torres. From his raw and vulnerable insights into trauma and acting, to his gratitude for mentors and collaborators, to his unfiltered joy for the craft and the set, listeners get a full-spectrum view of an artist deeply committed to truth, collaboration, and personal growth. The supporting voices—from Brian Lucci’s playful mentorship to Gwen Segan’s creative perspective—round out a compelling portrait of how heart and hustle create television resonance beyond the screen.