L. Derek Leonidoff has been acting since the age of 10, in a variety of film, television and theatrical roles. His passion for the performing arts was instilled early in life by his grandfather, who was vice-president and senior producer at Radio City Music Hall for 42 years, and his mother, who danced as a Rockette at Radio City.
Derek’s diverse credits extend from Bye Bye Birdie to Shakespeare’s King Lear, from Smile of a Child TV’s The Knock Knock Show to Showtime’s Homeland, and from Tony Scott and Denzel Washington’s film Unstoppable to the 2012 Award-Winning Super Bowl Doritos commercial – “Man’s Best Friend.”
A life-long student of improvisation, Derek studied at The Improv Olympic Training Center and graduated from the famed Second City Conservatory in Los Angeles, CA. He has performed comedy skits with over a dozen improvisational ensembles, such as “Cup of Tea,” an Improv Olympic cage match winner for 27 weeks running! His energetic improv performances have earned him comparisons with Gene Wilder and Ben Stiller.
Virginia Beach, VA, is home to Derek and his family, including his 2-year-old son Declan. Recently, when asked what his father did for a living, little Declan replied, “Daddy funny!”
