Levi Ross Fackrell

Levi Ross Fackrell, a loving husband, father, brother and beloved artist, passed away on November 10, 2024, at the age of 45. Born December 20, 1978, to Shirley “Jill” and Richard Fackrell in Burley, Idaho, Levi’s life was marked by his incredible sense of humor, devotion to his family, deep love for the arts and the people in his community. The Fackrell family moved to California during his elementary years, and then to Las Vegas when he was in middle school, and he graduated from Clark High School in 1997 before going on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in acting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2002, with a passion for creating new plays.

Levi’s dedication to theater led him to co-found Cockroach Theatre in 2002, a daring and pioneering theatre company that established a black box theatre in downtown Las Vegas in 2012, and rebranded as Vegas Theatre Company in 2017. His vision and unwavering dedication remains a pillar of the arts community of Las Vegas, producing “stories that bring people together.” Beyond his work as an actor and director, Levi was a tireless advocate for theater and arts, passionately supporting philanthropy and outreach to make theater accessible to all.

In 2010, Levi married his true-love, Gina Marie Fortunato. Levi became the proud and devoted father to Sebastian “Bash” Cole, 8, and Isabella “Izzie” Grace, 6. Levi & Gina’s family home was loving and filled with laughter, friendship, and home-cooked meals, making it a welcoming hub to constant gatherings and reunions. Togetherness was simply their way of living. Family adventures were defined by a spirit of exploration - whether they were setting up camp under vast starlit skies, sharing stories by the fire, or keeping a watchful eye out for Bigfoot with a twinkle of excitement. Recently, the family welcomed Jack, a spirited Beagle-German Shepherd mix, whose presence brought the family incredible joy, and he remains Levi’s forever companion in spirit. In addition to his ability to connect to others through story-telling, cooking, or outdoor excursions, Levi left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to engage in conversation with him. He was an incredible listener, an enthusiastic friend and even if there were opposing points of view, he was always open to hearing others’ philosophies. Those kinds of conversations with Levi were transformative, not for changing opinions, but a deeper level of understanding and acceptance.

Levi is survived by his beloved wife, Gina; his children, Bash and Izzie; his sister, Sue, and her family: husband Jeff and children, Chris and Jayden. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jill, in 2004; his father, Richard, in 2017; and his stillborn sister, Kara. Levi’s legacy of creativity, compassion, and community spirit lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the countless artists and audiences he touched. His light will continue to shine on every stage he helped build, in every life he inspired, and in the enduring love of those who cherish him.

We will celebrate Levi and the many facets of his lifetime of love and optimism— surrounded by friends and family, stories, and Bigfoot at his celebration of life service held at the Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 12:00pm. There are a number of ways to support his young family: meal cards, donations via Behind the Blue (Through Gina’s work with the LVMPD), and various volunteer opportunities.