Shawn Levy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shawn Levy
Levy in 2024
Born	Shawn Adam Levy (1968-07-23) July 23, 1968 (age 57) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Citizenship	Canada United States
Education	Yale University (BA) University of Southern California (MFA)
Occupation	Film director film producer screenwriter actor
Years active	1986–present
Spouse(s)	Serena Levy ​ (m. 1995)​
Children	4

Shawn Adam Levy (born July 23, 1968) is a Canadian and American filmmaker and actor. He started his own company, 21 Laps Entertainment. His work covers many different types of movies and TV shows. As a director, his films have made over $3.5 billion around the world.

Levy first worked as a director for television shows. In the 2000s, he became well-known for directing comedy movies. These included Big Fat Liar (2002), Just Married (2003), Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), and The Pink Panther (2006). He then had more success directing the first three movies in the Night at the Museum series (2006–2014).

In the early 2010s, he directed films like Date Night (2010), Real Steel (2011), and The Internship (2013). He also helped create several comedy TV shows. He was an executive producer for the first five seasons of the comedy show Last Man Standing. Levy also produced the science fiction film Arrival (2016). This movie earned him a nomination for the Best Picture award.

Since 2016, Levy has been an executive producer for the Netflix series Stranger Things. He has directed two episodes in each of the show's four seasons. He also directed the Netflix mini-series All the Light We Cannot See (2023). Recently, Levy has worked with actor Ryan Reynolds. He directed Reynolds in Free Guy (2021), The Adam Project (2022), and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). The last movie became his highest-earning film and the highest-grossing film for older audiences ever.

Early Life and Education

Shawn Levy was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in a Jewish family with two sisters, Jodi and Debby. As a teenager, he went to St. George's High School in Montreal. He also trained at the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York.

Levy wanted to be an actor. He studied performing arts at Yale University and graduated in 1989. While there, he became interested in directing movies. He then moved to Los Angeles to study film directing. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1994.

Career Highlights

Starting in TV and Movies

Levy began his professional career in the mid-1980s. While studying, he acted in a low-budget horror film called Zombie Nightmare (1987). He also appeared in the 1988 film Liberace: Behind the Music. He had guest roles on TV shows like 21 Jump Street and Beverly Hills, 90210. Later, he had small acting parts, like on 30 Rock.

In the late 1990s, Levy mainly directed TV shows for teenagers. These included Nickelodeon's The Secret World of Alex Mack and Animorphs. He was the main director and executive producer for the Disney Channel show The Famous Jett Jackson (1998–2002). He also directed Jett Jackson: The Movie (2001).

Directing Big Films

Levy in Moscow in 2011.

Levy directed his first feature films in 1997, called Address Unknown and Just in Time. His first movie released in theaters was the teen comedy Big Fat Liar in 2002. Then came the romantic comedy Just Married in 2003, which made over $100 million. For the rest of the 2000s, Levy directed successful family films. These included Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) and The Pink Panther (2006).

He also directed the Night at the Museum film series (2006–2014). The first Night at the Museum movie was a huge success for Levy. It was one of the highest-earning films of 2006. During this time, he also produced other movies like What Happens in Vegas (2008).

Levy directed and produced the 2010 comedy Date Night, starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey. In the same year, he started directing the science fiction drama Real Steel (2011). This movie starred Hugh Jackman and was executive produced by Steven Spielberg. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

From the mid-2000s, Levy's company, 21 Laps, worked closely with 20th Century Fox. He also helped create comedy TV shows. Since 2011, he has been an executive producer for the comedy show Last Man Standing. Other films he produced with Fox include The Watch (2012) and Why Him? (2016).

Levy also worked on projects outside of family comedies. He produced the drama The Spectacular Now (2013) and the science fiction film Arrival (2016). For his work on Arrival, Levy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Working with Netflix and Marvel

Levy promoting Stranger Things at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con

In December 2017, Netflix announced a four-year agreement with Shawn Levy. Because Stranger Things was so successful, he agreed to create TV projects only for Netflix. In 2020, 21 Laps extended its deal with Netflix.

In 2021, Levy produced the film There's Someone Inside Your House for Netflix. He also executive produced the 2021 Netflix series Shadow and Bone. Levy directed The Adam Project for Netflix, which starred Ryan Reynolds.

In March 2022, it was announced that Levy would direct Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel Studios. This film was released in 2024. In November 2022, Levy began discussions to direct a Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm. This would happen after he finished his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and the final season of Stranger Things.

In February 2023, it was announced that Levy would produce a film based on the "Backrooms" web series. In August 2023, Levy received the Norman Jewison Award for his career achievements at the TIFF Tribute Awards.

On April 17, 2025, Lucasfilm announced Star Wars: Starfighter. This new film is directed by Levy and stars Ryan Gosling. It is set to be released in theaters on May 28, 2027. The story takes place five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

In February 2023, it was announced Levy would produce the comedy Boy Band for Paramount Pictures. Ryan Reynolds would co-write and star in the project. Levy was confirmed as the film's director in February 2024. In December 2023, Levy was announced to direct and produce an untitled heist comedy film for Netflix, also starring Ryan Reynolds.

In March 2024, Levy was asked to direct Avengers 5 for Marvel Studios. However, he turned down the offer due to his busy schedule with Stranger Things. In July 2024, it was announced that the Russo brothers would direct the film, now titled Avengers: Doomsday, set for release on May 1, 2026.

Following the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, in November 2024, Ryan Reynolds announced he was writing a new film. This movie would star himself and Hugh Jackman and be directed by Levy.

Personal Life

Shawn Levy is married to Serena Levy. They have four daughters together. He became a U.S. citizen in 2008. After living in Los Angeles for many years, the Levy family moved to Manhattan in the early 2020s. Since 2009, they also have a family home in New Paltz, New York.

Filmography

Film

Producer only

Acting credits

Television

Executive producer only

• Last Man Standing (2011–2016)
• Cristela (2014)
• I Am Not Okay with This (2020)
• Dash & Lily (2020)
• Unsolved Mysteries (2020)
• Shadow and Bone (2021–2023)
• Lost Ollie (2022)
• The Perfect Couple (2024)

Acting roles

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Shawn Levy para niños