Hollywood actor Penn Badgley recently opened up about his spiritual journey and the practices that help him stay grounded amid the demands of life and his acting career.
In an interview with USA TODAY’s The Essentials, Badgley, best known for his role in “You”, discussed the types of books that support his spiritual well-being, particularly when portraying emotionally intense characters such as Joe Goldberg. Among those, he shared that he keeps a copy of the Quran on his nightstand and reads from it periodically.
“I do have the Quran actually on my nightstand, and I will occasionally reflect on the verses in it,” Badgley revealed, offering a rare glimpse into his spiritual life.
Badgley’s spiritual discipline extends beyond reading. He spoke about his morning routine, which, despite the challenges of family life and professional obligations, always includes a moment of spiritual reflection. At the center of this is the “Long Obligatory Prayer” from the Baháʼí faith.
“I do have the Quran actually on my nightstand, and I will occasionally reflect on the verses in it,” Badgley revealed, offering a rare glimpse into his spiritual life.
“My morning routine is typically chaotic due to the children and work, but there’s one thing that I always prioritize,” he said.
He explained that the prayer, which he has memorized, takes about 15 minutes to recite. “I’ve been saying it for years because I adore it. If I’m in a rush, I can complete it in about seven minutes, then I meditate for two more—making it a nine-minute spiritual practice,” he noted.
Whenever possible, however, Badgley prefers to recite the prayer slowly and mindfully, allowing him to start the day with a sense of peace and purpose.
“If I can steal away 15 to 20 minutes to do all this, it’s a luxury,” he said. “It makes me think about the deeper truths of life and reminds me of what it is to live a good life.”
