I recently had the distinct pleasure of sitting on an exclusive round-table discussion sponsored by Turner Entertainment. The guest of honor was one of the stars of the TNT drama series Leverage. This show is preparing to begin it’s 3rd season (which for ANY show nowadays is a huge feat of success).

Leverage follows the adventures of a highly skilled team out to settle scores against those who use power and wealth to victimize others. The gang is led by former insurance investigator Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton), who got involved in the con business after his former employer refused to pay for treatment that could have saved his son’s life. His highly skilled team includes Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman), a grifter who uses her acting skills to corner her marks; Eliot Spencer (Christian Kane), a “retrieval specialist” with bone-crunching fighting skills; Alec Hardison (Aldis Hodge), a gadget and technology wizard who keeps the team informed; and Parker (Beth Riesgraf), a slightly off-center thief adept at rappelling off buildings or squeezing into tight places.

Now, that’s the “official” definition from the show bio, I personally narrow it down to a show of modern day Robin Hood’s that go and take from the crooked wealthy and give back to those that have been taken advantage of.

With that, let me introduce this weeks INFOtainment News Personality Profile: Aldis Hodge

Born in New York in 1986, young Mr. Hodge ha done alot already for his 23 years. Hodge started his acting career at the age of three, when he went on a print job with his older brother, Edwin Hodge, and was chosen for an ad in Essence magazine. At the age of 9, Aldis was cast in the Tony-winning revival of Showboat on Broadway. During that period, he also appeared in several movies, including Die Hard with a Vengeance and Bed of Roses.

Aldis has had many roles on the television screen; shows ranging from City of Angels, Girlfrieds, CSI, Charmed, and Bones to name a few. As far as his movie credits, he’s had parts in Juice, Big Momma’s House, and Red Sands to name a few.

When he’s not in front of a camera acting, he’s sitting behind sheet music practicing his violin, which he is an extremely accomplished player of. He also spends a great deal of time painting and designing high quality watches (yo Aldis – I want one of them watches when they come out man !!)

Since there were about 5 other media entities on the line during the interview, each of us only had time to ask 2 questions. My first one, was asking Aldis his personal definition of the show, since I would be attempting to explain it to potential new viewers. He pretty much stated the Robin Hood remark that I mentioned above but added this, “…it may take a little figuring out but usually people end up saying Robin Hood. One of the reasons why it may be difficult to describe exactly what we are is because our show is it’s own entity, which is nice…and in 20 years when we’re all said and done, I believe somebody’s going to look back and say, Yes, that, show, it’s like that show Leverage…He continues with,”…I believe we’re setting that up a bit. We have our own identity going, which is a blessing. It gets easier to explain this show year by year, but i say it’s kind of like a modern day Robin Hood.”

The second question I asked Aldis was technology focused; since I’m a technologist at heart myself, and that’s the character he plays, it felt only fitting to ask him what were the tech gadgets he was using himself. Aldis’ response.”I have my iPod, I have my BlackBerry, I’m working off a Mac computer. The most I get into gadgets is when it comes to my watch designs…I keep up to date on watches and that technology.”

Aldis is a talented young man and, as I mentioned to him during the interview, he is someone that us “old folks” can be proud of since he does have his mind focused, his priorities in order and a sense of pride in all that he does.

I’m personally looking forward to season 3 of Leverage on TNT, which is going to be airing July 20th at 9pm ET/6pm PT. Below is a sneak preview of the season opener:

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