Eugene Levy is one of the few comic actors in Hollywood whose voice is as recognizable as his face.

That's exactly the way he wants it.

The 62-year-old Canada native, who began his career with the Second City troupe and is perhaps best known as the dad in "American Pie" (1999), provides the voice of Orrin, a family servant, in the computer-animated "Astro Boy," now in theaters. His other vocal work includes "Night of the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" (2009) as Albert Einstein, "Over the Hedge" (2006) as the creature Lou, and "Curious George" (2006) as the inquisitive Clovis.

"The best comedy happening today in motion pictures is from animated movies," Levy said during a telephone interview from California. "These movies are amazingly written and the stories are rich."

When hired to voice a character, Levy, who supported himself in Toronto by doing radio commercials early in his career, spends no time thinking about the character. He waits for the filming to begin.

"I handled 'Astro Boy' just like the other (animated) movies," he said. "I didn't prepare anything, because you're not going to find out what's going on (with the character) until you get into the recording studio with the director.

"I do a variety of takes on the lines and the director can then pick what he likes from that batch. That way, the director has as much to work with as possible."

According to Levy, actors working on animated films and taking home hefty paychecks have a major star to thank.

"When Robin Williams did the voice of Genie in 'Aladdin' (1992), it was a turning point," he said. "Robin did the lines in a way that at times appealed to adults more than their kids.

"He showed that both parents and their children could be entertained (by animated movies)."

Of course, Levy's participation in the "American Pie" franchise - including "American Pie 2" (2001), "American Wedding" (2003), "American Pie Presents: Band Camp" (2005), "American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile" (2006), "American Pie Presents Beta House" (2007), and "American Pie: Book of Love" (2009) - has provided a steady income.

What is the continuing appeal of "American Pie"?

"In the first installment, which had vulgarities but never went over the line, the characters were amazingly rich and funny, which hit a real nerve with the audience," he said. "Everybody could relate to them. My character was an integral part of it all, because he was the beating heart in the middle of the story and kept it grounded.

"It's remained popular because the movie generation changes about every three years as a new audience of kids enters its teens and discovers sex."

And what about today's big-screen comedies?

"I enjoyed 'Knocked Up,' but after that, I'm not a fan of most comedies I see," he said. "In too many movies now, they drop the bar to get the cheap gutter laughs."

One of the most artistically rewarding parts of Levy's career has been as part of the ensemble comedies - including "Waiting for Guffman" (1996), "Best in Show" (2000), "A Mighty Wind" (2003) and "For Your Consideration" (2006) - he creates with Christopher Guest. They will team on another one early next year.

"We took a bit of a breather (from working together) and we haven't been together in the past year," Levy said.

Curtis gets 'Hot'

Screen favorite Tony Curtis reveals secrets about his famous film in "The Making of Some Like It Hot: My Memories of Marilyn Monroe and the Classic American Movie" (John Wiley & Sons; $25.95).

Curtis recalls working with Monroe, Jack Lemmon and director Billy Wilder a half-a-century ago in one of the greatest comedies in Hollywood's history. Curtis and Lemmon play musicians who witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre then dress as women and play in an all-female band to avoid being rubbed out by the mob.

Here are five fun facts revealed in "The Making of Some Like It Hot:"

1. Frank Sinatra was the original choice for the main male role eventually played by Curtis. Wilder traveled to Palm Springs to pitch Sinatra the part and thought the singer-actor liked it.

That changed when Wilder set a lunch date to iron out the details, and Sinatra didn't bother to show up.

2. Mitzi Gaynor ("South Pacific") was being prepared to play the main role of Sugar, the blonde band singer, but the producers worried that she wasn't strong enough at the box office.

After suggesting Elizabeth Taylor or Audrey Hepburn, they asked Wilder about Monroe, whom he had directed in "The Seven Year Itch" (1955).

He approached the 32-year-old actress, who hadn't worked in two years and had numerous bills to pay.

3. Wilder initially considered hiring comedy veterans Bob Hope and Danny Kaye, then 56 and 47, respectively, as the dressed-in-drag musicians. The filmmaker then changed his mind, feeling they were too old, and hired Curtis and Lemmon, then 33 and 34, respectively.

4. Powerhouse producer David O. Selznick ("Gone With the Wind") warned Wilder that "Some Like It Hot" would bomb due to mixing an opening sequence with machine guns and dead bodies and then following the antics of two men in drag.

"The audience, the people, they'll walk out in droves," Selznick warned. "It'll be a disaster.

"You'll never make it work."

The film was a smash.

5. Because Monroe was so often sick and late and sometimes needed to do more than 60 takes of a simple scene, Wilder considered shutting down the production and replacing her. Natalie Wood ("West Side Story"), Carroll Baker ("The Carpetbaggers") and Gaynor were suggested to take over the role.

Powerful agent Lew Wasserman agreed to speak with Monroe and her husband, playwright Arthur Miller ("The Crucible"), about the problems she was causing. Monroe listened and returned.

Gaul on the radio

My "At the Movies" radio segment will air live at 11:30 p.m. Friday as part of "The Dom Giordano Show" (WPHT-AM/1210 and www.thebigtalker1210.com).

The broadcast, which can be heard every Friday night, will include discussions of newly released movies and DVDs as well as motion picture news and trends.

A different version of my "At the Movies" segment can be heard on Burlington County College radio station WBZC-FM/88.9, 95.1 and 100.7 on Fridays at 8:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. The show can also be heard online at www.z889.org.

Gaul on the Web

My film reviews, features and columns can be read on our Web site at lougaul.phillyBurbs.com.