Eugene Levy is always funny, whether he’s on Schitt’s Creek or in one of his many movies. Levy was a veteran of Second City Television (SCTV), and his comedies with Christopher Guest, such as Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), and A Mighty Wind (2003), made him famous.
1. The Big Lebowski
One of the most quotable movies of all time, The Big Lebowski is a modern classic. Featuring the Dude (Jeff Bridges) and his Vietnam veteran buddy Walter Sobchak, plus the pederast bowling nemesis Jesus Quintano and a lonesome stranger, the movie is a hilarious and entertaining story that has something for everyone.
An alumnus of the Second City, Eugene Levy often plays eccentric supporting characters with nerdy streaks. He has won multiple awards over the years including a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Award for his role as John Rose on Schitt’s Creek, which he co-created with his son Dan Levy. Whether he’s playing your favorite comedy dad or a mermaid-obsessed scientist, Levy shines bright in every role.
2. Dogmatic
Eugene Levy is a veteran of the Second City TV sketch comedy series and has appeared in many movies. He also co-wrote and starred in several films with Christopher Guest. He has a knack for playing unconventional characters with nerdy streaks.
He stars as the sarcastic Bloomingdales associate in this satire of retail and fashion. Despite being a bit of a guilty pleasure, the solarmovie film is hilarious and showcases Levy’s unique character comedy.
KE Monahan Huntley is an editor and publisher of Dramatica theory. She is also the creator of a podcast on writing called Write Between the Lines. You can follow her on Twitter @kemhuntley. Also check out her site, The Dramatica Theory Center. KE is an original contributor to the Dramatica theory blog. Her articles and essays have been featured on multiple sites. She is an avid reader and writer of all things science fiction and fantasy.
3. The Family Man
When producer David Brindley and director Alison Kirkham asked Eugene Levy to host a travel show for Apple TV, they were essentially asking him to step out of his comfort zone. He didn’t want to go on safaris, he hated water and he didn’t think he could handle the heat.
But he took a chance and ended up proving himself to his wife (Tea Leoni) in this comedy drama. It’s an interesting look at the value of family over ego and money. It also highlights the importance of being able to laugh at yourself.
4. The Big Lebowski 2
One of Levy’s most memorable roles is from the 1998 cult classic The Big Lebowski. In this zany comedy, two thugs mistakenly attack Jeff Bridges’ The Dude and destroy his beloved rug. The Dude then seeks out the attackers in order to get restitution, leading to a wild series of events.
The Coen Brothers didn’t actually direct a follow-up to their 1998 classic, but they did give the green light for Turturro to make a spin-off featuring his character Jesus Quintana. These movies 123 also doubles as a remake of 1974 French film Going Places, written and directed by Bertrand Blier.
Advanced word of mouth for The Jesus Rolls has not been kind, but fans still hold the film in high regard for its ability to capture a similar tone and style as The Big Lebowski.
5. The Family Guy
Besides co-writing and starring in numerous Christopher Guest films, Levy also took on roles on other projects. He made a name for himself with the hit 80s comedy Splash and starred in National Lampoon’s Vacation.
After Schitt’s Creek ended with six seasons and multiple history-making Emmy awards, Levy stepped out of his comfort zone to do the travel show The Reluctant Traveler. Levy’s nervous explorer character scours the world, from his home base of Hamilton to locations like Rome and Monte Carlo.His hysterical rants are sure to have you in stitches. You can check out the trailer below.