add a biography

Reviewer: Zel

"Eugene Levy is an award-winning writer, (two Emmy's for SCTV). He's also a well known actor, producer, director and singer. Singer? Yep, remember Tears Are Not Enough, the relief for Ethiopia effort made by Canadian musicians and recognizable stars? Eugene's in there. Singing his heart out. Of course it didn't begin there.
Attending McMaster University in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Eugene was vice-president of the McMaster Film Board (MFB). Being a member had its privileges and then some. Ivan Reitman, director of such films as Stripes, Ghostbusters and Six Days Seven Nights, was the founder of the MFB and as luck would have it cast Eugene in Cannibal Girls in 1973. This was the first film for both.

Joining the Second City Theatre in 1977, Eugene eventually met the circle of comics that would go on to dominate comedic films for years to come. He left the theatre ensemble in 1981 but overlapped his time with Second City with a television offshoot of the group called, SCTV from 1976-1984. At the time their only rivals were the cast of Saturday Night Live. The improvisational troupe included Catherine O'Hara, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Rick Moranis, Martin Short, and Andrea Martin. Aside from performing, the group wrote all of their material and developed long standing characters throughout the run of the series.

During this time friendships turned into business relationships and it was difficult to see a movie with only one of the alumni involved. They seemed to travel together in every project they worked on. Movies like Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel in 1995 reunited Eugene with Martin Short. The Last Polka , which Eugene is credited with writing in 1984, and Armed and Dangerous (1986), were just two of his collaborations with John Candy . Waiting for Guffman, also written by Levy, allowed him to work with Catherine O'Hara in 1996.

With cameos in movies like Splash, Vacation, Club Paradise and Multiplicity, Eugene is the comedic equivalent to J.T.Walsh. You recognize him, but his name is always a brain wave away. His love for movies is apparent when scanning his filmography, he has appeared in at least one movie from 1991 to 1999, with 1993 being the exception. And it seems like his legion of fans keeps growing. American Pie, in 1999, introduced Eugene to a whole new generation.

It is rare, in these days of action heroes and independent superstars, to see an actor appear with such a diverse list of names - Michael Keaton, Tom Hanks, Diane Keaton, and John Candy, to name a few. Eugene Levy does this and keeps 'em laughing in the process. His characterizations are so precise and unique that his talent is bound to keep him busy for decades to come."

written by Siobhan Rossiter

Films:
Cannibal Girls (1973) Running (79) Double Negative (80) Nothing Personal (80) Heavy Metal (voice, 81) Vacation (83) Going Berserk (83) The Last Polka (TV-84) Splash (84) Armed and Dangerous (86) Club Paradise (86) Bride of the Boogedy (TV-87) Speed Zone (89) Father of the Bride (91) Once Upon a Crime (uncredited, 92) Stay Tuned (92) Partners in Love (TV-92) I Love Trouble (94) Harrison Bergeron (TV-95) Father of the Bride Part II (95) Waiting for Guffman (96) Multiplicity (96) Holy Man (98) Akbar's Adventure Tours (98) Unglued (99) American Pie (99) D.O.A. (TV-99) Best In Show (2000) Silver Man (2000) Down to Earth (2000) American Pie 2 (2001)
Serendipity (2001)

TV Series: The David Steinberg Show (1972) Second City / SCTV (1976 - 1983) Hiller and Diller (1997) Hercules (1998) Greg the Bunny (2001)