Zachary Levi had a simple reason for taking a role in "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." He wanted to work.Filming of the second season of Levi's NBC series "Chuck" was coming to an end and NBC hadn't said whether it would be back. We now know the show will return Monday, but at the time, Levi wasn't sure.

Filming of the second season of Levi's NBC series "Chuck" was coming to an end and NBC hadn't said whether it would be back. We now know the show will return Monday, but at the time, Levi wasn't sure."My agent called and said '"Alvin and the Chipmunks 2." What do you think?' I said 'Let's go! I need a job,'" Levi says.

"My agent called and said '"Alvin and the Chipmunks 2." What do you think?' I said 'Let's go! I need a job,'" Levi says.The first "Chipmunks" pulled in more that $360 million, and that's the kind of money that gets attention.

The first "Chipmunks" pulled in more that $360 million, and that's the kind of money that gets attention.So the 29-year-old Louisiana native signed on to play Toby, Dave Seville's cousin, who's put in charge of Alvin, Simon and Theodore while Dave recuperates.

So the 29-year-old Louisiana native signed on to play Toby, Dave Seville's cousin, who's put in charge of Alvin, Simon and Theodore while Dave recuperates.It was a quick transition for Levi, who finished filming the last scene for "Chuck" at 5 a.m., slept for three hours and then headed to the "Chipmunk" movie set.

It was a quick transition for Levi, who finished filming the last scene for "Chuck" at 5 a.m., slept for three hours and then headed to the "Chipmunk" movie set.