50 Facts About Shawn Levy

Early Life and Education

Shawn Levy's journey began in Montreal, Quebec, where he was born into a Jewish family. His early years were marked by a strong foundation in education and performing arts.

1. 01Shawn Levy was born to a Jewish family in Montreal, Quebec. He has two siblings, Jodi and Debby.
2. 02Levy attended St. George's High School in Montreal and later trained at the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York's Catskills.

Acting Career

Before becoming a renowned director and producer, Levy tried his hand at acting, appearing in various films and TV shows.

3. 03He made his acting debut in the low-budget horror film Zombie Nightmare (1987), where he played the character Jim Bratten.
4. 04Levy also appeared in the 1988 film Liberace: Behind the Music and had guest spots on 21 Jump Street and a recurring role on Beverly Hills, 90210.

Transition to Directing

Levy's career took a significant turn when he moved behind the camera, starting with television before making a name in film.

5. 05Levy began his professional career as a television director. His early work included directing episodes of The Secret World of Alex Mack and The Famous Jett Jackson.
6. 06He gained recognition in the 2000s for directing comedy films like Big Fat Liar (2002), Just Married (2003), Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), and The Pink Panther (2006).

Night at the Museum Franchise

One of Levy's most notable achievements is the Night at the Museum film series, which brought him widespread acclaim.

7. 07He found further success as the director of the first three films in the Night at the Museum film franchise (2006–14).

Collaborations and Notable Films

Levy has worked with some of Hollywood's biggest names and directed several successful films.

8. 08In the early 2010s, Levy directed films including Date Night (2010) and Real Steel (2011), which was executive produced by Steven Spielberg.
9. 09He also directed The Internship (2013), a comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
10. 10Levy was a producer on the 2016 sci-fi film Arrival, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Stranger Things and Netflix

Levy's involvement with Netflix's hit series Stranger Things has been a significant part of his career in recent years.

11. 11Since 2016, Levy has been an executive producer on the Netflix original series Stranger Things. He has directed the third and fourth episodes of each of the show's four seasons.
12. 12Levy also directed the Netflix limited series All the Light We Cannot See (2023).

Collaboration with Ryan Reynolds

Levy's partnership with Ryan Reynolds has resulted in several successful films.

13. 13Most recently, he has collaborated with Ryan Reynolds by directing Free Guy (2021), The Adam Project (2022), and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
14. 14Deadpool & Wolverine emerged as his highest-grossing film to date.

21 Laps Entertainment

Levy's production company, 21 Laps Entertainment, has been behind many successful projects.

15. 15Levy is the founder of 21 Laps Entertainment, which has produced some of the most successful TV shows and films of the past decade.
16. 16In the mid-2000s, Levy and his company 21 Laps signed a production deal with 20th Century Fox. This deal was renewed in 2010, and he created a new television company with Marty Adelstein at 20th Century Fox TV to develop comedy series.

Executive Producer Credits

Levy has also made his mark as an executive producer on various TV shows.

17. 17Levy has executive produced several TV shows, including Last Man Standing, Cristela, and Imaginary Mary.
18. 18His film projects with FOX include The Watch (2012), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Why Him? (2016), and The Darkest Minds (2018).

Expanding Horizons

Levy has worked to expand the range of his production company by taking on diverse projects.

19. 19Outside of 20th Century Fox, Levy worked to expand 21 Laps' range by producing the A24 drama The Spectacular Now (2013) and the ensemble dramedy This Is Where I Leave You (2014).
20. 20For his role in Arrival, Levy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Netflix Deal and Future Projects

Levy's ongoing relationship with Netflix has led to several exciting projects and future plans.

21. 21In December 2017, Netflix announced a four-year contract with Levy. Due to the successful seasons of Stranger Things, he will create TV projects exclusively for Netflix. In 2020, 21 Laps extended its deal with Netflix and signed a first look deal.
22. 22In 2021, Levy produced the film adaptation of the slasher novel There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins under his 21 Laps Entertainment label, alongside James Wan's Atomic Monster studio for Netflix.
23. 23Alongside Eric Heisserer, he also executive produced the 2021 Netflix series Shadow and Bone, an adaptation of the fantasy book series The Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows Duology starring Jessie Mei Li, under Netflix's deal with 21 Laps.
24. 24Levy directed The Adam Project for Netflix starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead role.
25. 25In March 2022, it was announced that Levy would direct Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel Studios.
26. 26In November 2022, Levy entered talks to direct a Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm following the conclusion of his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and the fifth and final season of Stranger Things.

Awards and Nominations

Levy's work has earned him numerous accolades and nominations throughout his career.

27. 27In August 2023, Levy was announced as the inaugural recipient of the Norman Jewison Award for career achievement at the TIFF Tribute Awards.
28. 28Levy has received numerous nominations for his work, including the 22nd Critics' Choice Awards for Best Drama Series for Stranger Things, the 74th Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Drama, and the 89th Academy Awards for Best Picture for Arrival.
29. 29He won the 28th Producers Guild of America Awards for Best Episodic Drama for Stranger Things and was nominated for Best Theatrical Motion Pictures for Arrival.
30. 30Levy was nominated for the 71st BAFTA Film Awards for Best Film for Arrival and the 2017 BAFTA Television Awards for Best International Programme for Stranger Things.
31. 31He was nominated for the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series for Stranger Things and the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series.
32. 32Levy received Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series – Drama in both 2017 and 2018 for Stranger Things.
33. 33In 2024, he was nominated for the 76th Directors Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film for All the Light We Cannot See.
34. 34Levy is pending for the 52nd Saturn Awards for Best Film Director and Best Film Writing for Deadpool & Wolverine.

Financial Success

Levy's career has not only brought him critical acclaim but also significant financial success.

35. 35His films have grossed over $3.5 billion worldwide, significantly contributing to his net worth.
36. 36One of the critical factors in Levy’s financial success has been his ongoing collaborations, particularly with Ryan Reynolds on films like Free Guy and The Adam Project.
37. 37These collaborations have proven highly lucrative, allowing him to work on bigger projects with greater budget flexibility.

Continued Success with 21 Laps Entertainment

Levy's production company continues to be a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

38. 38Levy founded 21 Laps Entertainment, which has produced some of the most successful TV shows and films of the past decade.
39. 39In the mid-2000s, Levy signed a production deal with 20th Century Fox, which was renewed in 2010. He created a new television company with Marty Adelstein at 20th Century Fox TV to develop comedy series.
40. 40Levy has executive produced several TV shows, including Last Man Standing, Cristela, and Imaginary Mary.
41. 41His film projects with FOX include The Watch (2012), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Why Him? (2016), and The Darkest Minds (2018).
42. 42Outside of 20th Century Fox, Levy worked to expand 21 Laps' range by producing the A24 drama The Spectacular Now (2013) and the ensemble dramedy This Is Where I Leave You (2014).
43. 43For his role in Arrival, Levy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
44. 44In December 2017, Netflix announced a four-year contract with Levy. Due to the successful seasons of Stranger Things, he will create TV projects exclusively for Netflix. In 2020, 21 Laps extended its deal with Netflix and signed a first look deal.
45. 45In 2021, Levy produced the film adaptation of the slasher novel There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins under his 21 Laps Entertainment label, alongside James Wan's Atomic Monster studio for Netflix.
46. 46Alongside Eric Heisserer, he also executive produced the 2021 Netflix series Shadow and Bone, an adaptation of the fantasy book series The Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows Duology starring Jessie Mei Li, under Netflix's deal with 21 Laps.
47. 47Levy directed The Adam Project for Netflix starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead role.
48. 48In March 2022, it was announced that Levy would direct Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel Studios.
49. 49In November 2022, Levy entered talks to direct a Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm following the conclusion of his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and the fifth and final season of Stranger Things.
50. 50In February 2023, A24 announced that work had begun on a film adaptation of the Backrooms based on Parsons' videos, with Parsons directing. Roberto Patino is set to write the screenplay, while Levy, James Wan, Michael Clear from Atomic Monster, Dan Cohen, and Dan Levine from 21 Laps Entertainment, Peter Chernin from Chernin Entertainment are set to produce.

Shawn Levy: A Multifaceted Talent

Shawn Levy's career showcases his versatility and dedication to the entertainment industry. From his early acting days in Zombie Nightmare to directing blockbuster hits like Night at the Museum and Free Guy, Levy has proven his knack for storytelling. His role as an executive producer on Stranger Things and his work with 21 Laps Entertainment highlight his ability to create compelling content across various genres. Collaborations with Ryan Reynolds and projects like Arrival have cemented his status as a top-tier filmmaker. With upcoming ventures like Deadpool & Wolverine and talks of a Star Wars movie, Levy's influence continues to grow. His journey from Montreal to Hollywood is a testament to his talent, hard work, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Shawn Levy remains a significant figure in the entertainment world, consistently pushing boundaries and delivering memorable experiences.