Who Is Dan Levy? The Canadian Creator Behind Schitt’s Creek
Dan Levy is a Canadian actor, writer, director, and producer best known for co-creating and starring in the Emmy-sweeping sitcom Schitt’s Creek alongside his father, comedy legend Eugene Levy.
Here are the key facts at a glance:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Joseph Levy |
| Born | August 9, 1983, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Known for | Schitt’s Creek, Good Grief, MTV Canada |
| Emmy wins | 4 individual wins in a single year (2020) |
| Emmy records | First comedy to sweep all four major acting categories |
| Order of Canada | Named a Member in 2023 |
| Upcoming | Big Mistakes on Netflix (2026) |
From hosting MTV Canada in his twenties to becoming the only person ever to win Emmy Awards for acting, writing, directing, and producing in a single year, Dan Levy‘s rise is one of the most compelling creative stories in modern television.
What makes his story especially unique? He built his biggest success with his dad — turning a simple pitch about a wealthy family losing everything into a cultural phenomenon that changed how LGBTQ+ stories are told on screen.
And he’s just getting started.
Terms related to dan levy:
The Family Legacy and Early Career of dan levy
To understand the creative powerhouse that is dan levy, we have to look at the family tree. Born Daniel Joseph Levy on August 9, 1983, in Toronto, he grew up in a household steeped in comedy and creativity. His father, Eugene Levy, is a global comedy icon known for SCTV and American Pie, while his mother, Deborah Divine, is a talented screenwriter. This environment fostered a deep appreciation for storytelling, though Dan initially carved his own path away from his father’s massive shadow.
Growing up in Toronto, Dan attended North Toronto Collegiate Institute, where he actually led a student production of the play Clue. He pursued higher education at York University and later Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), focusing on film and media. Despite his famous last name, Dan didn’t jump straight into acting. Instead, he started as an intern at the talent agency ICM and even worked on the production side of Canadian Idol.
His big break came in 2006 when he joined MTV Canada. For several years, he was the face of MTV Live and became a household name hosting The Hills: After Show. It was here that he honed his comedic timing and on-camera presence, often alongside co-host Jessi Cruickshank. Interestingly, Dan has since admitted that hosting a show about reality TV actually ruined his love for the genre!
A fun piece of trivia for our fellow Canadians: Dan was selected as an Olympic torchbearer for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, carrying the flame through New Westminster, British Columbia. By 2011, he decided to leave MTV to focus on scripted acting and writing, a move that would eventually lead to the creation of one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
Schitt’s Creek: A Global Phenomenon
In 2015, the world was introduced to the Rose family. dan levy co-created Schitt’s Creek with his father, Eugene, under their production banner, Not a Real Company Productions. The premise was simple but brilliant: an ultra-wealthy family loses everything and is forced to live in a motel in a town they once bought as a joke.
Dan starred as David Rose, the high-fashion, pansexual son whose character arc became the emotional heart of the series. From his “fold in the cheese” kitchen disasters with Moira (Catherine O’Hara) to the opening of Rose Apothecary—a store that feels like it would fit right into the artisanal markets we love in Brooklyn or the Hudson Valley—David Rose became an instant icon.
The show ran for 80 episodes across six seasons, airing on CBC in Canada and Pop TV in the United States. While it started as a cult favorite, its arrival on Netflix during the pandemic sent its popularity into the stratosphere. Critics and fans alike praised the show for its “no-homophobia” policy; Dan made a conscious choice to write a world where David’s sexuality was never a source of conflict or tragedy, only celebration.
The show’s success culminated in a Schitt’s Creek historic Emmy sweep that redefined television history.
The Historic Emmy Sweep for dan levy
The 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards belonged to the Roses. In its final season, Schitt’s Creek received a staggering 15 nominations and pulled off a feat never before seen in the comedy world. It became the first comedy series to sweep all four major acting categories in a single night:
- Catherine O’Hara (Lead Actress)
- Eugene Levy (Lead Actor)
- Annie Murphy (Supporting Actress)
- Dan Levy (Supporting Actor)
Beyond his acting win, dan levy personally took home trophies for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Directing for the series finale, “Happy Ending,” as well as Outstanding Comedy Series as a producer. By winning four major awards in one night, he tied the record for the most individual Emmy wins in a single season. It was a poetic conclusion to a show that championed kindness, growth, and the idea that “love is love.”
Beyond the Rose Apothecary: Film and Television Projects
Since the motel doors closed, dan levy has been incredibly busy. We’ve seen him guest-star in Modern Family as a courtroom sketch artist and appear in the holiday rom-com Happiest Season (2020) alongside Kristen Stewart. He also joined the star-studded cast of HBO’s quarantine special Coastal Elites.
In February 2021, he checked a major item off the “entertainment bucket list” by hosting Saturday Night Live. His monologue, which featured a socially distanced cameo from his father in a literal glass box, was a highlight of the season. He has also lent his voice to projects like the queer animated spy comedy Q-Force and appeared in the fourth season of the hit Netflix series Sex Education as a high-brow writing tutor.
One of his most personal projects was The Big Brunch on HBO Max. As the creator and host, Dan brought together talented chefs to compete for a life-changing prize. The show celebrated the same sense of community and culinary passion that we strive to highlight at Edible Manhattan. Whether it’s a perfectly plated brunch or a Thanksgiving pie from a local NYC bakery, Dan understands that food is a powerful way to tell stories.
Recently, he made his feature film directorial debut with the Netflix drama Good Grief (2024), which he also wrote and starred in. The film explores themes of loss and friendship, moving away from the pure comedy of his earlier work to showcase his range as a dramatic filmmaker. You can read more about Dan Levy’s directorial debut with Good Grief to see how he transitioned from TV to the big screen.
Recent and Upcoming Work by dan levy
The future looks bright for dan levy. He has signed significant overall deals with both ABC Signature and Netflix, ensuring a steady stream of “Not a Real Company” productions. Some of his upcoming projects include:
- Big Mistakes: A Netflix comedy series (debuting in 2026) about two incapable siblings who find themselves blackmailed into a world of organized crime.
- Animal Friends: A live-action/animation hybrid film featuring an R-rated road trip adventure.
- At The Sea: A drama directed by Kornel Mundruczó, where Dan joins a cast including Amy Adams and Brett Goldstein.
- The Smurfs Movie: Dan will join the voice cast of this upcoming animated feature.
- Lilith Fair Documentary: He is involved in a project documenting the untold story of the iconic music festival.
Advocacy, Honors, and Personal Life
Beyond the screen, dan levy is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. He has been honored by GLAAD and was named a Grand Marshal for the 2020 NYC Pride March. His commitment to representation isn’t just about his own roles; it’s about creating space for diverse voices in the industry.
In 2020, Dan used his platform to promote the “Indigenous Canada” massive open online course (MOOC) from the University of Alberta. He hosted weekly livestreams to discuss the course material with professors and matched donations to the Faculty of Native Studies up to $25,000. This initiative helped bring significant attention to Indigenous history and education in Canada.
In recognition of his contributions to the arts and his advocacy work, Dan was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023. This is one of the country’s highest honors, reflecting his status as a national treasure.
On the business side, Dan launched DL Eyewear, a boutique glasses brand. The company often releases limited-edition frames named after places or people meaningful to him. As for his personal life, Dan split his time between London and Los Angeles for several years. While he keeps his private life relatively quiet, his fans are famously supportive—on his 36th birthday, fans raised over $20,000 for LGBT youth in his honor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dan Levy
Is Dan Levy related to Eugene Levy?
Yes! They are a father-son duo. They co-created Schitt’s Creek together and played father and son (Johnny and David Rose) on the show. Dan’s sister, Sarah Levy, also starred in the series as the lovable waitress Twyla Sands. This family acting dynasty even made history when Dan and Eugene became the first father-son pair to win Emmys in the same year.
How many Emmys did Dan Levy win for Schitt’s Creek?
Dan Levy won a total of four Primetime Emmy Awards for the final season of Schitt’s Creek in 2020. He won for:
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series (as an Executive Producer)
What is Dan Levy’s next movie?
His most recent major release was his directorial debut Good Grief on Netflix. Looking ahead, he is set to appear in the animated/live-action hybrid Animal Friends and the upcoming Smurfs movie. He is also currently working on his new Netflix series, Big Mistakes, which is expected to premiere in 2026.
Conclusion
At Edible Manhattan, we are all about the stories that bring people together, whether it’s through a shared meal or a shared laugh. Dan Levy has proven himself to be a master of both. From the artisanal aesthetic of Rose Apothecary to the heartwarming competition of The Big Brunch, his work celebrates the same regional culture and creative evolution that we value in our own community.
As he continues to expand his artistic legacy through new Netflix deals and film projects, his impact on both the Canadian and global entertainment landscapes remains undeniable. We can’t wait to see what he “cooks up” next. In the meantime, if all this talk of The Big Brunch has you hungry, why not check out some local NYC bakeries to find your own version of a Rose family treat?
