Everything You Need to Know About Dan Levy

Dan Levy is a Canadian actor, writer, director, and producer best known for co-creating and starring in the hit comedy series Schitt's Creek alongside his father, the legendary Eugene Levy.

Here are the key facts at a glance:

Dan Levy built his career from the ground up — starting as a co-host on MTV Canada, then making television history when Schitt's Creek swept the 2020 Emmy Awards. The show became the first comedy ever to win all four major acting categories in a single year.

He also holds a unique personal record: the only person to win Emmy Awards for acting, writing, directing, and producing in the same year.

Beyond the awards, Levy is widely celebrated for bringing authentic LGBTQ+ representation to mainstream television — something he has spoken about with real passion.

And yes — he was named after the Elton John song "Daniel."

Basic * dan levy* terms:

To understand the creative powerhouse that is dan levy, we have to look at his roots in Toronto, Canada. Born Daniel Joseph Levy on August 9, 1983, he grew up in a household where comedy was practically the family business. His father, Eugene Levy, is a comedy icon known for SCTV and American Pie, and his mother, Deborah Divine, is a talented screenwriter.

Growing up in Toronto, Dan wasn't just "the son of a famous actor." He was carving out his own path from an early age. He attended North Toronto Collegiate Institute, where he actually led a student production of the play Clue. It seems the "showrunner" instinct was present even in high school!

For his higher education, Dan stayed close to home but focused on his craft. He studied cinema at York University and later moved into production at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). This academic background provided the technical foundation for what would eventually become his "multi-hyphenate" career.

Interestingly, Dan’s family life reflects a beautiful blend of cultures. With a Jewish father and a Protestant mother, the family celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas. Dan even had a Bar Mitzvah, and he often shares humorous anecdotes about the "half-and-half" holiday traditions that defined his youth. His sister, Sarah Levy, also caught the acting bug and would eventually join him on the set of Schitt's Creek as the lovable waitress Twyla Sands.

For those looking for deep dives into his early milestones, Dan Levy's Biography and Trivia offers a treasure trove of details about his formative years and his rise through the Canadian entertainment landscape.

Before he was David Rose, dan levy was a staple of Canadian television as a host. In 2006, he became one of the original seven co-hosts of MTV Live on MTV Canada. This was a pivotal era for him, as it allowed him to hone his improvisational skills and develop a public persona that was both witty and relatable.

One of his most famous early gigs was hosting The Hills: After Show. Alongside Julia Chan, Dan became the voice of a generation of reality TV fans, dissecting the drama of Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag with a level of snark and sincerity that made the after-show just as popular as the main event. He even hosted after-shows for The City, proving he had a knack for capturing the cultural zeitgeist.

However, Dan eventually felt the pull toward scripted storytelling. He said that hosting reality TV after-shows actually ruined his love for the genre because he saw too much of how the "sausage was made." This shift in perspective led to the birth of Schitt's Creek.

In 2015, Dan approached his father with an idea for a show about a wealthy family that loses everything. Together, they formed "Not a Real Production Company" and launched Schitt's Creek. Dan took on the role of David Rose, a character that would become a cultural icon.

David Rose was groundbreaking for several reasons, but perhaps most notable was his portrayal of pansexuality. In a famous scene involving "wines, not labels," Dan’s character explained his orientation in a way that was simple, profound, and devoid of the usual television tropes. Over 80 episodes, we watched David grow from a spoiled socialite into a business owner and a devoted partner to Patrick Brewer.

The show’s journey was a slow burn. It aired on CBC in Canada and Pop TV in the U.S., but it wasn't until it hit Netflix that the "Schitt's Creek" phenomenon truly exploded. By the time the sixth and final season aired, the world was finally caught up with what we in the industry already knew: Dan Levy was a genius.

The 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards will forever be known as the "Schitt's Creek Sweep." In a year where the world needed a laugh more than ever, the Academy recognized the show's brilliance in a record-breaking fashion.

dan levy made history that night. He became the first person to win Emmys for acting, directing, writing, and producing in a single year. The show itself set a record for the most wins in a single season for a comedy series, taking home nine awards in total. It was also the first comedy ever to sweep all four major acting categories (Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress).

You can read the full breakdown of this historic night in the Schitt's Creek Emmy History report, which details how the show overcame its "underdog" status to dominate the global stage.

Since the sun set on Schitt's Creek, dan levy hasn't slowed down. He has transitioned into a major player in Hollywood, signing significant deals with ABC Studios and Netflix.

His film directorial debut, Good Grief, premiered on Netflix in late 2023. Dan wrote, directed, and starred in the film, which explores themes of loss, friendship, and the complexities of adult life. It was a departure from the high-camp comedy of Schitt's Creek, showcasing his range as a dramatic storyteller.

For us at Edible L.A., one of his most exciting post-Schitt's projects was The Big Brunch on HBO Max. As the creator, host, and executive producer, Dan combined his love for community and food in a cooking competition that focused on kindness and the "soul" of cooking rather than cutthroat drama. It celebrated local chefs and the stories behind their dishes — a mission that resonates deeply with our own focus on L.A. food culture.

Looking ahead, Dan has a packed slate:

Advocacy is a cornerstone of Dan’s career. He doesn't just include queer characters; he centers them in stories where their sexuality isn't the "problem" to be solved. Whether it’s his role in the holiday rom-com Happiest Season, his voice work in the queer spy comedy Q-Force, or his stint as a teacher in Sex Education Season 4, Dan continues to push for inclusive media.

He was honored as part of the "Pride50" and has consistently used his platform to support LGBTQ+ youth. During the run of Schitt's Creek, fans raised over $20,000 for LGBT youth organizations in honor of his birthday — a testament to the impact of his work.

If there’s one thing dan levy is known for besides his talent, it’s his style — specifically those glasses. His love for eyewear actually led him to relaunch his own brand, DL Eyewear. The collection is a reflection of his personal aesthetic: bold, classic, and meticulously designed. You can browse the full range at Dan Levy's Eyewear Collection.

In terms of his personal life, Dan is known to be relatively private but shares his time between Toronto and Los Angeles. He has a beautiful $4.7 million home in the Los Angeles area, which features a modern Hollywood aesthetic that fits his personality perfectly. He has also expressed a deep love for London, having lived there in his early twenties.

Dan’s commitment to education and social justice is evident in his recent philanthropic efforts. In 2020, he famously promoted the University of Alberta’s "Indigenous Canada" online course. He didn't just tweet about it; he took the course himself and hosted weekly livestreams with the professors to discuss the material with his fans.

He also matched donations to the University’s Faculty of Native Studies up to $25,000, helping to raise significant funds for Indigenous education. In recognition of his contributions to the arts and his advocacy work, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2023.

Yes! dan levy is the son of Eugene Levy. They famously co-created and co-starred in Schitt's Creek together. They also made history as the first father-son duo to win Emmys on the same night in 2020.

Aside from his four Primetime Emmys for Schitt's Creek, Dan has won multiple Canadian Screen Awards, a SAG Award, a Critics Choice Award, and a GLAAD Media Award. In total, he has over 30 wins across his career.

Dan currently divides his time between Toronto and Los Angeles. He also spends a significant amount of time in London, which he has called one of his favorite cities in the world.

At Edible L.A., we believe that storytelling is at the heart of community, whether it’s through a seasonal recipe or a groundbreaking television show. dan levy has proven that when you lead with heart, humor, and a commitment to authenticity, you can change the world.

From his early days as an MTV host to his record-breaking Emmy wins, Dan has remained a champion of local culture and creative integrity. Whether he’s judging a brunch competition or directing a feature film, his work reminds us to support our local creators and celebrate the diverse stories that make our community — from Santa Monica to Silverlake — so vibrant.

As we look forward to his upcoming projects, we’ll be keeping an eye on how he continues to blend his love for food, fashion, and film. And in the meantime, we’ll be right here, sharing the stories of L.A. food, season by season.

For more guides on your favorite L.A. personalities and the best seasonal produce in the county, stay tuned to our seasonal produce guide. Supporting local food culture is what we do best!