1985–1994: Early career and education

Levy began his professional career while pursuing his undergraduate and graduate degrees in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. While studying performing arts, he made his acting debut in Zombie Nightmare (1987), a low-budget horror film in which he portrayed the character Jim Bratten, the leader of a group of teenagers. The film is best known for being featured in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. He also appeared in the 1988 film Liberace: Behind the Music.

He subsequently pursued his MFA in production, during which time he continued to act with a guest spot on 21 Jump Street and a recurring role on Beverly Hills, 90210. Since this time, he has acted in primary small and cameo roles as well, like on 30 Rock as TV producer Scottie Shofar.

1995–2014: Directorial career and 20th Century Fox

Through the end of the 1990s, Levy worked primarily as a television director of teen dramas, like Nickelodeon's The Secret World of Alex Mack and Animorphs. He was the primary director and executive producer (season 3) of the Disney Channel coming-of-age show The Famous Jett Jackson (1998–2002) and its companion film (2001).

He made his feature film directorial debut in 1997 with the family films Address Unknown and Just in Time. This was followed by the 2002 teen comedy Big Fat Liar, his first theatrical release, and the 2003 rom com Just Married, which made more than $100 million in the box office. For the remainder of the decade, Levy worked successfully on big-budget family films, namely directing Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), The Pink Panther (2006), and Night at the Museum franchise (2006–2014)—and produced all of their sequel films. The first Night at the Museum film was Levy's most commercially successful project and one of the highest-grossing films of 2006. During this time he also produced the 2008 films What Happens in Vegas and The Rocker and executive produced The WB dramedy Pepper Dennis (2006).

Levy directed and produced the 2010 comedy Date Night starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey. The same year, he began directing the sci-fi drama Real Steel (2011), starring Hugh Jackman. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, the film received mixed critical reviews and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

In the mid-2000s, Levy and his company 21 Laps signed a production deal with 20th Century Fox; it was renewed in 2010.^[8] Following this deal, Levy created a new television company with Marty Adelstein at 20th Century Fox TV to develop comedy series.^[9][10] Levy and 21 Laps were with the company until 2020.^[11][12] Since 2011, he has been the executive producer of the Tim Allen sitcom Last Man Standing.^[13] He also executive produced the short-lived ABC sitcoms Cristela (2014–2015) and Imaginary Mary (2017). Film projects with FOX include the 2012 Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill comedy The Watch (directed by Akiva Schaffer), Levy's comedy The Internship (2013), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Why Him? (2016), and The Darkest Minds (2018). He produced similar films for Warner Bros.; Levy was initially announced as the director of the film version of Minecraft but has since left the project.^[14][15]

Outside of 20th Century Fox, Levy worked to expand 21 Laps' range outside of primarily family-friendly comedies;^[16] this included producing the A24 drama The Spectacular Now (2013), the ensemble dramedy This Is Where I Leave You (2014), and the Academy Award-winning sci-fi film Arrival (2016). For his role in Arrival, Levy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

2015–present: Stranger Things and Netflix

He was announced to be directing the film adaptation of the Uncharted video game series, following David O. Russell and Neil Burger.^[17] Joe Carnahan worked with Levy to produce the script for the film,^[18] but Levy left the project on December 19, 2018.^[19] Levy was attached to produce a film based on the children's series Sesame Street, which will be the show's third motion picture following Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, and its first in over two decades.^[20][21]

In 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 the streaming entertainment company.^[22] In 2020, 21 Laps extended its deal with Netflix and signed a first look deal.^[11]

In 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][24][25] Alongside 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.^[26] Levy directed The Adam Project for Netflix starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead role.^[27]

In February 2022, it was announced that Levy would direct Backwards for Netflix.^[28] In March 2022, it was announced that Levy would direct Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel Studios.^[29] In 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.^[30] In February 2023, it was announced Levy would produce the comedy Boy Band for Paramount Pictures alongside Reynolds, who would also co-write and star in the project.^[31] Levy was confirmed as the film's director in February 2024.^[32] In December 2023, it was announced Levy would direct and produce an untitled heist comedy film for Netflix, with Reynolds set to star and co-produce.^[33]

In August 2023, Levy was announced as the inaugural recipient of the Norman Jewison Award for career achievement at the TIFF Tribute Awards.^[34]

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)

Acting roles