Eugene Levy

As an actor and writer, Eugene Levy continues to enjoy a following across two generations.

In the mid-‘70s, after two years as part of the celebrated Second City theatre troupe, Mr. Levy was part of the team that created, wrote, and starred in Second City TV (SCTV). Ironically, the show brought him and his friends back to Toronto. The show developed a loyal cult following while syndicated in the U.S. After SCTV ended its initial run in 1981, NBC brought the show back in an extended version entitled SCTV Network 90, which ran until 1983. In addition to being one of the program’s lead players, Mr. Levy won two Emmy Awards as a member of the show’s writing staff.

In 1989, he directed the television special I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood. His feature directorial debut, Once Upon a Crime..., starring John Candy and Jim Belushi, followed. He also directed the telefilms Sodbusters and Partners ‘n Love, executive-producing and co-writing the former and starring in the latter.

In 1996, teaming with director Christopher Guest, Mr. Levy wrote the screenplay for Waiting for Guffman, and was a member of the feature’s ensemble cast. The duo reteamed on Best in Show in 2000, for which they received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award nomination; A Mighty Wind, for which they earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for writing and for which Mr. Levy was named Best Supporting Actor by the New York Film Critics Circle; and For Your Consideration in 2006, for which the ensemble received a Gotham Award nomination.

He starred in Paul and Chris Weitz’ blockbuster hit American Pie, and reprised the role of “Jim’s dad” in the movie’s sequels. Among Mr. Levy’s numerous other feature credits are Ron Howard’s Splash; Harold Ramis’ National Lampoon’s Vacation, Club Paradise, and Multiplicity; Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers’ Father of the Bride, I Love Trouble, and Father of the Bride Part II; Adam Shankman’s Bringing Down the House and Cheaper by the Dozen 2; and Shawn Levy’s Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian. His animated features include Gerald Potterton’s Heavy Metal; Matthew O’Callaghan’s Curious George; Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick’s Over the Hedge; and David Bowers’ Astro Boy.

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