Dan Levy

Early Life and Education

Dan Levy was born on August 9, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario, to actor and comedian Eugene Levy and writer Deborah Divine. His father is Jewish and his mother is Protestant, and the family's upbringing incorporated elements from both faiths, including a bar mitzvah for Dan and celebrations of both Christmas and Hanukkah. He attended North Toronto Collegiate Institute for his secondary education before pursuing post-secondary studies in film production. Levy studied at both York University and what is now Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson University, though he did not complete a degree program. This educational background in film production provided a foundational understanding of the industry he would later help to shape through his creative work.

Early Career in Television Hosting

Levy's professional career began in 2006 when he joined MTV Canada as one of the original seven co-hosts of the flagship series MTV Live. He gained significant recognition as the co-host, alongside Jessi Cruickshank, of MTV Canada's The After Show and its various iterations tied to popular reality series like The Hills and The City. These after shows were also occasionally broadcast to audiences in the United States, expanding his early profile. Following the cancellation of The After Show and Cruickshank's departure, Levy wrote, produced, and starred in his own Christmas special for the network titled Daniel Levy's Holi-Do's & Don'ts. His hosting duties extended to major events including the MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet, the X-Factor pre-show, and national coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics for CTV, where he also participated in the Olympic torch relay. Levy left MTV Canada in 2011 after five years with the network, having established himself as a familiar face in Canadian pop culture broadcasting.

Transition to Acting and Production

Parallel to his hosting work, Levy pursued acting, securing a four-episode story arc on the long-running Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. His storyline premiered as part of the TV movie Degrassi Goes Hollywood, where he played a film producer who casts series regular Paige Michalchuk in a new film. He also appeared in the 2012 thriller Cyberstalker and had a role in the 2013 comedy-drama Admission starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. A major professional shift occurred in 2013 when Levy teamed with his father Eugene Levy and his uncle Fred Levy, along with producer Andrew Barnsley, to form the production company Not a Real Company Productions. The company's first major project was developing a television pilot for the CBC, which would become the foundation for their landmark series, Schitt's Creek. This move from on-air talent to behind-the-scenes creator set the stage for his most significant work.

Breakthrough with Schitt's Creek

Schitt's Creek premiered on CBC in 2015, co-created by Dan and Eugene Levy and produced by their company. Dan starred as David Rose, the pansexual and fashion-obsessed son of the formerly wealthy Rose family, alongside his father Eugene, his sister Sarah Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy, and Chris Elliott. The show's portrayal of David's sexuality was noted for its matter-of-fact normalization, with Levy stating he found the character's sexual ambiguity exciting. The series quickly became a critical and cultural phenomenon, earning numerous Canadian Screen Awards. Levy personally won awards for Best Comedy Series and Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series in 2016, and the show won Best Comedy Series again in 2019. In 2019, the series earned its first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. The decision to conclude the show after a sixth season, announced in March 2019, was described by Levy as a rare creative privilege.

During the show's run, Levy also served as co-host of The Great Canadian Baking Show alongside Julia Chan for its first two seasons from 2017 to 2018. A 2017 review in The Globe and Mail that criticized his hosting style using the term feyness led to a public response from Levy, who called the remark homophobic. The newspaper's public editor later clarified the critic's intent and acknowledged the need for sensitivity regarding language. Levy and Chan did not return for the show's third season due to scheduling conflicts. The show won 15 awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, with Levy winning individual Emmys for producing, writing, directing, and acting. This made him the first person to win an award in all four major disciplines in a single year, and the series became the first comedy to sweep all four main acting categories.

Post-Schitt's Creek Projects and Advocacy

Following the conclusion of Schitt's Creek, Levy engaged in a variety of projects and advocacy work. In August 2020, he enrolled in and actively promoted the University of Alberta's Massive Open Online Course Indigenous Canada. He hosted twelve livestream interviews with course instructors and guest speakers, describing the experience as transformational, and pledged to match public donations to the Faculty of Native Studies up to $25,000. In September 2020, he starred in the HBO television film Coastal Elites, a remote-produced project about individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. He hosted Saturday Night Live in February 2021, with musical guest Phoebe Bridgers. Levy signed an overall deal with Netflix in September 2021 to write and produce scripted content. His directorial debut, the drama film Good Grief, which he also wrote and starred in, was released in late 2023 on Netflix. In 2025, he produced the documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, The Untold Story, exploring the legacy of the all-female music festival.

His upcoming project is the Netflix television series Big Mistakes, a crime comedy which he co-created, stars in, and serves as showrunner for, scheduled for release in 2026. The series will also star Laurie Metcalf and Taylor Podolefsky. Levy's recent honours include being named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023 for his contributions to the arts and his advocacy. This appointment recognizes his impact on Canadian culture and his support for Indigenous education and other causes.

Personal Life and Public Persona

Levy divides his time between Toronto and Los Angeles, and has expressed that London is his favourite city, having lived there briefly in 2005. Regarding his sexual orientation, he was identified as a member of the LGBT community in a 2015 interview. In a 2020 conversation with Andy Cohen, he stated he is obviously gay and has been out since he was 18 years old. In October 2026, he used his Instagram platform to criticize comedian Shane Gillis for a joke made during a Saturday Night Live monologue that Levy found derogatory toward women. In the same video statement, he expressed the view that women are superior human beings to men. Levy has frequently spoken about the creative influence of his father and his Schitt's Creek co-star Catherine O'Hara, reflecting on the lessons learned from watching them lead on set. His public statements often combine advocacy with reflections on his artistic journey.

Awards and Recognition

Dan Levy's work has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, primarily for his role in Schitt's Creek where he served as co-creator, writer, actor, director, and producer. His Emmy wins in 2020 for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Outstanding Writing, and Outstanding Directing set a historic precedent. In Canada, he has won four Canadian Screen Awards, including the awards for Best Comedy Series in 2016 and 2019 and Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series in 2016. His advocacy and artistic contributions were formally honoured in 2023 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. The following list highlights key awards and honours.

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series (2020, as producer)
• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2020)
• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (2020)
• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (2020)
• Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series (2016, 2019)
• Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series (2016)
• Member of the Order of Canada (2023)

These awards highlight his significant impact on both the Canadian and international television landscapes. They mark the high points of a career built on creative collaboration, particularly with his father, Eugene Levy. His Primetime Emmy wins for Schitt's Creek set historic records for a comedy series. His work also earned him multiple Canadian Screen Awards, solidifying his status in the industry.

Filmography and Selected Works

Dan Levy's body of work spans television hosting, acting, writing, and directing. His early work as a host on MTV Canada shows like MTV Live and The After Show provided his initial platform. He used this experience to launch a successful production and acting career, which culminated in co creating Schitt's Creek with his father. This evolution demonstrates his shift from an on air personality to a key creative force behind the camera.

This progression demonstrates his growth from an on air personality to a comprehensive creative force behind the camera. His directorial debut was the 2023 film Good Grief, which he also wrote and starred in. His latest venture as a series creator is the 2026 television series Big Mistakes, an American crime comedy for Netflix. Each project reflects his expanding responsibilities and artistic vision within the entertainment industry.

Questions about Dan Levy

Is Dan Levy related to Eugene Levy?

Yes, Dan Levy is the son of renowned Canadian actor and comedian Eugene Levy. The two collaborated closely on Schitt's Creek, which they co-created and co-starred in together. They also co-founded the production company Not a Real Company Productions, which produced the series. Their professional partnership has been a defining element of both of their careers.

What is Dan Levy's new show Big Mistakes?

Big Mistakes is an American crime comedy television series created for Netflix, scheduled for release in 2026. Dan Levy co-created the series, serves as its showrunner, and stars in it. The show, which also features Laurie Metcalf and Taylor Podolefsky, revolves around themes of family, crime, and chaos. It marks his return to series television following the success of Schitt's Creek.

What other projects has Dan Levy worked on recently?

Beyond Schitt's Creek, Levy made his feature film directorial debut with the 2023 Netflix drama Good Grief, which he also wrote and starred in. He produced the 2025 documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery. He is currently developing the Netflix series Big Mistakes for 2026. He also starred in the HBO film Coastal Elites, hosted Saturday Night Live in 2021, and was a vocal advocate for the University of Alberta's Indigenous Canada course.

What is Dan Levy best known for?

Dan Levy is best known for co creating, co writing, producing, directing, and starring in the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek. He played the role of David Rose, a pansexual character, from 2015 to 2020. The series, which he created with his father Eugene Levy, attained international prominence and made Emmy Award history in 2020 by sweeping all major comedy categories. His work on the show earned him multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and Canadian Screen Awards. This role established his career as a prominent Canadian actor, writer, and producer.

What awards did Dan Levy win for Schitt's Creek?

For the final season of Schitt's Creek in 2020, Dan Levy won four Primetime Emmy Awards. He won for Outstanding Comedy Series as a producer, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his acting, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. This achievement made him the first person to win an award in all four major disciplines in a single year. He won several Canadian Screen Awards for the series, including Best Comedy Series and Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series.

What is Dan Levy's sexual orientation?

Dan Levy is gay. He was identified as a member of the LGBT community in a 2015 interview with Flare magazine. In a 2020 interview with Andy Cohen, he explicitly stated that he is obviously gay and confirmed he has been out since he was 18 years old. His personal experience informed his portrayal of David Rose's pansexuality on Schitt's Creek, which he has discussed as an important aspect of the character's development.

Sources and further reading

• Dan Levy (Wikipedia)
• Dan Levy Movies and Shows (tv.apple.com)
• Dan Levy, Actor, Writer, Director (tvinsider.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.