Eugene Levy

Eugene Levy, born December 17, 1946, is a Canadian actor and comedian known for playing flustered and unconventional figures. He gained widespread recognition for his work on the sketch comedy series SCTV, which aired from 1976 to 1984, as well as his recurring role in the American Pie film series. He is a regular collaborator of actor-director Christopher Guest, co-writing and appearing in several of his mockumentary films starting with Waiting for Guffman. From 2015 to 2020, Levy starred as Johnny Rose in the comedy series Schitt's Creek, which he co-created with his son, Dan Levy.

Levy was born to a Jewish family in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. His mother, Rebecca, was a homemaker who moved to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland, and his father, Joseph, worked as a foreman at a car factory. He grew up with a brother named Fred and a sister named Barbara. Levy attended Westdale Secondary School, where he served as student council president. He went on to study at McMaster University, where he was vice-president of the McMaster Film Board, met filmmaker Ivan Reitman, and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology.

Levy began his professional performing career in the 1972–1973 Toronto production of the musical Godspell. An alumnus of Second City Toronto and Second City Television (SCTV), he became known for portraying unusual supporting characters with nerdy traits. His SCTV characterizations include news anchor Earl Camembert, comic Bobby Bittman, Woody Tobias Jr., Stan Schmenge, and Sid Dithers, along with numerous celebrity impersonations. He was also the creator of the television sitcom Maniac Mansion.

In film, Levy had starring roles in Armed and Dangerous (1986) and The Man (2005). He featured in many popular comedies, including Splash, Father of the Bride, the American Pie series, Serendipity, and Bringing Down the House. Levy co-wrote and starred in Christopher Guest mockumentaries such as Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). His performance in A Mighty Wind won a Satellite Award and a New York Film Critics Circle Award. Additionally, he provided voice work for Over the Hedge, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, and Finding Dory.

Levy achieved further acclaim with Schitt's Creek, starring as Johnny Rose alongside his son Dan and daughter Sarah, while his brother Fred served as a producer. For his role, Levy won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2020 after a nomination in 2019. He later hosted and executive produced the Apple TV+ travel series The Reluctant Traveler, which reached its third season, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.

Levy's accolades also include a 2004 Grammy Award for co-writing the song "A Mighty Wind," the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 2008, and appointment to the Order of Canada in 2011. Married to Deborah Divine since 1977, he raised two children in Toronto. Levy is an advocate for autism awareness, a member of Artists Against Racism, and was named honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades in 2021.