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Eugene LeviCanadian actor, television director, producer, musician and writer
Date of Birth: 17.12.1946
Country:  Canada |
Biography of Eugene Levy
Early Life
Eugene Levy is a Canadian actor, television director, producer, musician, and writer. He was born on December 17, 1946, in Hamilton, Ontario, into a Jewish family. His father was an automotive worker. Levy attended Westdale Secondary School and graduated from McMaster University in 1969. During his time at university, he served as the vice-president of the McMaster Film Board, where he met director Ivan Reitman.
Early Career
Levy started his career as a member of the comedy troupe "The Second City" and appeared in their television sketches on the SCTV channel. He often portrayed quirky characters with eccentric traits. One of his most famous roles on SCTV was as the dim-witted news anchor Earl Camembert. Levy parodied various celebrities on SCTV, including Bud Abbott, Milton Berle, John Charles Daly, Jean Chalit, Jack Carter, Muammar Gaddafi, Tony Dow, James Caan, Lorne Greene, and many others.
Film and Television Career
Although Levy only had notable roles outside of his usual characters in the films "Armed and Dangerous" (1986) and "The Man" (2005), he appeared in numerous movies throughout his career. He co-wrote and frequently appeared in Christopher Guest's mockumentary films, such as "A Mighty Wind," where his portrayal of a mentally unstable folk singer garnered critical acclaim. In the 1980s, Levy appeared in films like "Splash," "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Club Paradise," and "Stay Tuned."
Later Career
Levy co-created the sitcom "Maniac Mansion," based on the video game of the same name by LucasArts. He also considered for the role of Toby Ziegler in the TV series "The West Wing" (1999), which eventually went to Richard Schiff. Levy's career took an unexpected turn in 1999 when he played the bumbling but loving father in the hit film "American Pie." His role in the first two films, as well as in three subsequent direct-to-video sequels, solidified his status as a cult character. Since then, he has collaborated with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah in the film "Bringing Down the House" and appeared alongside Martin in "Cheaper by the Dozen 2."
Awards and Recognition
In 2003, Levy, along with Christopher Guest and Michael McKean, won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media for their work on "A Mighty Wind." He is also one of the few individuals to have won at least five Canadian Comedy Awards, including two for Best Screenplay and three for Best Male Performance. In March 2006, Levy's name was added to Canada's Walk of Fame. He was honored with the Governor General's Performing Arts Award (GGPAA) for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2008.
Personal Life
Eugene Levy is married to television writer Deborah Divine, and they have two children together. Their son, Dan Levy, is a former host of the Canadian MTV show "Live" and the current host of "The After Show." Their daughter, Sarah, is pursuing a career in the performing arts. Levy is also an advocate for autism treatment and was a close friend of fellow Second City/SCTV alum John Candy, who passed away from a heart attack.
In Popular Culture
Eugene Levy's name became well-known in pop culture due to the song "Eugene Levy Unbilled" by the New York band "Worst Case Ontario."
