{{short description|American filmmaker and actor (born 1985)}} {{for|the American humorist|Sam Levenson}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Sam Levinson | image = File:Sam Levinson Cannes 2023 (cropped).jpg | caption = Levinson at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival | birth_name = Samuel Abraham Levinson | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|01|08}} | birth_place = | occupation = {{flatlist| * Filmmaker * actor }} | years_active = 1992–present | spouse = Ashley Lent | father = Barry Levinson | children = 1 }}
'''Samuel Abraham Levinson''' (born January 8, 1985) is an American television producer, writer, filmmaker and actor. He is the son of director Barry Levinson. In 2010, he received his first writing credit as a co-writer for the action comedy film ''Operation: Endgame''. The following year, he made his directorial film debut with ''Another Happy Day'' (2011), which premiered at Sundance Film Festival. He then received a writing credit on his father's HBO television film ''The Wizard of Lies'' (2017). He continued writing and directing for the feature films ''Assassination Nation'' (2018) and ''Malcolm & Marie'' (2021).
In 2019, Levinson created the HBO teen drama series ''Euphoria'' which was adapted from the Israeli series of the same name. The series is popular with audiences and received positive reviews from critics. In 2023, he created the HBO series ''The Idol'', which was controversial and received negative reviews.
==Early life== Levinson was born on January 8, 1985, and is the son of Diana Rhodes, a production designer for TV commercials, and filmmaker Barry Levinson.<ref name=BaltimoreSun-WaldoSalt-2011>{{cite news|last1=Sragow|first1=Michael|title=Like father, like son: Sam Levinson wins at Sundance|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2011-01-like_father_like_son_sam_levin-story.html|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=January 31, 2011|archive-date=August 27, 2019|access-date=August 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827065126/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2011-01-like_father_like_son_sam_levin-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Levinson|first=Barry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bBHkAxxeqeYC&pg=PR16|title=Avalon; Tin Men; Diner: Three Screenplays|date=1990|publisher=Atlantic Monthly Press|isbn=978-0-87113-435-6|language=en}}</ref> His father is from a Russian-Jewish family.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barry Levinson: Baltimore, My Baltimore|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/film/111499levinson-film.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=archive.nytimes.com}}</ref> Levinson studied method acting for four years.<ref name=HReporter-Euphoria-Interview-2019>{{cite news|last1=Sandberg|first1=Bryn Elise|title='Euphoria' Creator on Boundary-Pushing HBO Drama: "We Didn't Want to Pull Any Punches"|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/euphoria-creator-boundary-pushing-hbo-drama-didnt-pull-punches-1218588|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 16, 2019|language=en}}</ref> He has a brother, Jack Levinson, who is also an actor,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jack Levinson|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0506047/|access-date=2021-02-26|website=IMDb}}</ref> and two half-siblings, Michelle and Patrick, from his mother's first marriage.
==Career== Levinson made his film debut as an actor in his father's 1992 fantasy comedy ''Toys'', alongside his brother Jack. He continued to appear in his father's films, such as the comedy-drama film ''Bandits'' (2001) and the satirical comedy film ''What Just Happened'' (2008). In 2009, he acted in the Uwe Boll film ''Stoic''. In 2011, Levinson made his directorial film debut, ''Another Happy Day'', at the Sundance Film Festival.<ref name=BaltimoreSun-WaldoSalt-2011 /><ref name=NYTimes-AnotherHappyDay-Review-2011>{{cite news|last1=Holden|first1=Stephen|title=Sam Levinson's 'Another Happy Day' - Review|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/movies/sam-levinsons-another-happy-day-review.html|work=The New York Times|date=November 17, 2011}}</ref> Despite the film's negative reviews, it received the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.<ref name="IndieWire-AnotherHappyDay-2011">{{cite news|title=Meet the 2011 Sundance Filmmakers: "Another Happy Day" Director Sam Levinson|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/01/meet-the-2011-sundance-filmmakers-another-happy-day-director-sam-levinson-243875/|work=IndieWire|date=January 14, 2011|language=en}}</ref>
Levinson co-wrote the 2017 television film ''The Wizard of Lies'', which was directed by his father. The film focuses on Bernie Madoff, who is played by Robert De Niro.<ref name=HReporter-WizardLies-2017>{{cite news|last1=Fienberg|first1=Daniel|title='The Wizard of Lies': TV Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/wizard-lies-review-1000304|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 9, 2017}}</ref> Levinson wrote and directed the film ''Assassination Nation,''<ref name=HReporter-AssasinationNation-Privacy-2018>{{cite news|last1=Crump|first1=Andy|title=How 'Assassination Nation' Exploits Privacy Fears|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/why-assassination-nation-is-scarier-it-may-seem-1146158|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 22, 2018}}</ref> which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival to mixed reviews from critics, who praised its "frenetic and visually stylish" action but criticized the thinly written characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-house-with-a-clock-in-its-walls-ticks-along-tolerably/|title=''The House with a Clock in Its Walls'' Ticks Along Tolerably|first=Jeff|last=Giles|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=September 20, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name=HReporter-AssassinationNation-Review-2018>{{cite news|last1=Felperin|first1=Leslie|title=Sundance 2018; 'Assassination Nation': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/assassination-nation-review-1083340|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 9, 2018}}</ref> In June 2019, Levinson created the HBO television drama series ''Euphoria'', based on the Israeli series of the same name.<ref name=HReporter-Euphoria-PilotOrder-2018>{{cite news|last1=Roxborough|first1=Scott|title=HBO Puts in Pilot Order for 'Euphoria,' Based on Israeli Format|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hbo-puts-series-order-euphoria-based-israeli-format-1094133|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 13, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref name=HReporter-Euphoria-Review-2019>{{cite news|last1=Goodman|first1=Tim|title='Euphoria': TV Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/euphoria-review-1215681|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 5, 2019|language=en}}</ref> The series has received both praise and criticism for its direction, writing, and acting. It is infamous for its raw and graphic portrayal of teenagers wrestling with drug addiction and sexuality.<ref name=HReporter-Euphoria-Interview-2019 /> The series concluded with its third season in May 2026.
In 2020, Levinson wrote and directed the film ''Malcolm & Marie'', which was distributed by Netflix in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/netflix-malcolm-and-marie-zendaya-john-david-washington-30-million-dollar-deal-sam-levinson-pandemic-lockdown-film-toronto-film-festival-market-1234575943/|title=Netflix Closes $30 Million Deal For 'Malcolm & Marie' Off Promo; Sam Levinson Lockdown-Shot Drama Stars Zendaya & John David Washington: Toronto|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=September 13, 2020|access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref> It was poorly received by critics. Aisha Harris of NPR wrote, "All that's left are two characters rendered awkwardly as vessels for a director's odd hang-ups about his own identity and craft".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.npr.org/2021/02/05/963531042/malcolm-marie-is-lost-just-like-its-central-couple|title= 'Malcolm & Marie' Is Lost, Just Like Its Central Coupl|website= NPR|date= February 5, 2021|access-date= June 4, 2023|last1= Harris|first1= Aisha}}</ref> Shirley Lee of ''The Atlantic'' wrote, "''Malcolm & Marie'' isn't Art. It's a meltdown" and that it "seems to use the titular couple as mouthpieces for a litany of his own gripes".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/02/malcolm-marie/617947/|title= Malcolm & Marie Isn't Art. It's a Meltdown.|website= The Atlantic|date= February 5, 2021|access-date= June 4, 2023}}</ref> Levinson co-wrote the screenplay for the psychological erotic thriller ''Deep Water'' (2022), based on Patricia Highsmith's 1957 novel of the same name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/adrian-lyne-deep-water-ben-affleck-ana-de-armas-patricia-highsmith-adaptation-new-regency-1202658671/|title=New Regency Bringing Adrian Lyne Back To Directing With 'Deep Water;' Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas In Talks For Patricia Highsmith Adaptation|first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|location=Los Angeles, California|date=August 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last= D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=September 23, 2020|title='Black Widow' Jumps To Summer 2021 Spurring Marvel Pics Release Date Shift; 'West Side Story' Delayed A Year; 'Soul' Stays Theatrical |url= https://deadline.com/2020/09/black-widow-jumps-to-summer-2021-spurring-marvel-pics-release-date-shift-west-side-story-delayed-a-year-soul-stays-theatrical-1234582771/ |access-date=September 23, 2020 |website= Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> The film debuted on Hulu and was poorly received. ''The Guardian'' film critic Peter Bradshaw specifically panned the film's script, writing, "''Deep Water'' looks like a huge amount of material has been shaped in the edit but there are odd gaps and elisions".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/14/deep-water-review-erotic-thriller-loves-ben-afflecks-slack-jawed-look|title= Deep Water review – erotic thriller loves Ben Affleck's slack-jawed look|website= The Guardian|date= March 14, 2022|access-date= June 4, 2023|last1= Bradshaw|first1= Peter}}</ref> Levinson has executive produced ''Pieces of a Woman'' (2020), ''Breaking'' (2022), ''X'' (2022), and ''Pearl'' (2022).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shia-labeouf-joins-vanessa-kirby-pieces-a-woman-1249429|title=Shia LaBeouf to Star in Drama 'Pieces of a Woman' (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|date=October 22, 2019|access-date=June 15, 2020}}</ref>
On June 29, 2021, Levinson announced that he was co-creating, writing, and executive producing another HBO television drama series, ''The Idol'', alongside recording artist Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye and his producing partner Reza Fahim.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=2021-06-29|title=The Weeknd To Star In & Write Pop Singer Cult Drama Series 'The Idol' With Sam Levinson In The Works At HBO|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/the-weeknd-pop-star-cult-drama-the-idol-sam-levinson-hbo-1234783685/|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> The series garnered controversy following an exposé in ''Rolling Stone'' that featured allegations against Levinson and Tesfaye of creating a toxic work environment and crew members alleging the script involved explicit sexual content that amounted to "sexual torture porn".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://time.com/6259919/the-idol-hbo-sam-levinson-controversy/|title= How HBO's The Idol Became One of TV's Most Controversial Shows—Before It Even Aired|website= Time Magazine|date= March 2, 2023|access-date= June 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/the-idol-review-the-weeknd-sam-levinson-lily-rose-depp-abel-tesfaye-hbo-cannes-bdsm-sex-music-1234739047/|title= 'The Idol' Is More Toxic and Way Worse Than You've Heard|website= Rolling Stone|date= May 23, 2023|access-date= June 4, 2023}}</ref> The first episode premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to negative reviews. ''Time'' Magazine critic Stephanie Zacharek wrote, "''The Idol'' pretends to expose exploitation while reveling in it".<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://time.com/6281900/the-idol-review-hbo/|title= Entertainment - Television - The Idol Pretends to Expose Exploitation While Reveling in It|magazine= Time|date= May 23, 2023|access-date= June 4, 2023}}</ref> ''Variety'' critic Peter Debruge wrote, "The script seems calculated to fool audiences into thinking they're observing how Hollywood operates, when so much of it amounts to tawdry clichés", and that the series "plays like a sordid male fantasy".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2023/tv/reviews/the-idol-review-the-weeknd-lily-rose-depp-1235622311/|title= The Weeknd and Sam Levinson's 'The Idol,' Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Plays Like a Sordid Male Fantasy: TV Review|website= Variety|date= May 23, 2023|access-date= June 4, 2023}}</ref> ''The Idol'' premiered on Max on June 4, 2023. Noting that the season had been cut short by an episode without explanation, ''The Telegraph'' critic Ed Power wrote that the finale "had deepened the suspicion that, as far back as teen drama ''Euphoria'', he was a voyeur without a soul."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Power |first=Ed |date=2023-07-04 |title=The Idol finale, review: farewell to the worst TV show of the year |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/07/04/the-idol-finale-hbo-review/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=The Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704165051/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/07/04/the-idol-finale-hbo-review/ |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> HBO announced the show's cancellation after one season on August 28, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campione |first=Katie |date=2023-08-28 |title='The Idol' Canceled At HBO After One Season |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/the-idol-canceled-at-hbo-after-one-season-1235429399/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== From 2008 to 2011, Levinson dated actress Ellen Barkin.<ref name=People-EllenBarkin-2011>{{cite news|last1=Dyball|first1=Rennie|title=Ellen Barkin Is Dating Sam Levinson|url=https://people.com/celebrity/ellen-barkin-57-dating-sam-levinson-26/|work=People|date=June 2, 2011|language=en}}</ref> Levinson is married to Ashley Lent Levinson, with whom he has a son.<ref name=HReporter-Euphoria-Interview-2019 />
Levinson has discussed his struggles with drugs as a teenager and young adult.<ref name=HReporter-Euphoria-History-2019>{{cite news|last1=Chuba|first1=Kirsten|title='Euphoria' Creator on Authentic Trans Portrayals, Mining "Deeply Personal" History to Tackle Teen Drug Abuse|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/euphoria-creator-mining-deeply-personal-history-tackle-teen-drug-abuse-1215844|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 5, 2019|language=en}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Title |- ! width=65 |Director ! width=65 |Writer ! width=65 |Producer ! Notes |- | 2010 | ''Operation: Endgame'' | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |- | 2011 | ''Another Happy Day'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |- | 2018 | ''Assassination Nation'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |- | 2021 | ''Malcolm & Marie'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- | 2022 | ''Deep Water'' | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |- | 2024 | ''Borderlands'' | {{no}} | {{partial|Uncredited}} | {{no}} |Additional literary material |}
'''Executive producer''' * ''Pieces of a Woman'' (2020) * ''Breaking'' (2022) * ''X'' (2022) * ''Pearl'' (2022) * ''MaXXXine'' (2024) * ''Place to Be'' (TBA)
====Acting roles==== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role |- | 1992 | ''Toys'' | War Room Player |- | 2001 | ''Bandits'' | Billy Saunders |- | 2008 | ''What Just Happened'' | Carl |- | 2009 | ''Stoic'' | Peter Thompson |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title |- ! width=65 | Director ! width=65 | Writer ! width=65 | Executive<br />Producer ! width=65 | Creator ! scope="col" | Notes |- | 2017 | ''The Wizard of Lies'' | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | TV movie |- | 2019–2026 | ''Euphoria'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | 3 seasons |- | 2022 | ''Irma Vep'' | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | Miniseries |- | 2023 | ''The Idol'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | 5 episodes |}
== Critical reception == {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Rotten Tomatoes ! Metacritic |- !colspan=5|Film |- |2010 || ''Operation: Endgame'' || align=center|40% || |- |2011 || ''Another Happy Day'' || align=center|46% || align=center|46/100 |- |2018 || ''Assassination Nation'' || align=center|74% || align=center|54/100 |- |2021 || ''Malcolm & Marie'' || align=center|57% || align=center|53/100 |- |2022 || ''Deep Water'' || align=center|36% || align=center|53/100 |- !colspan=5|Television |- |2019 || ''Euphoria'' season 1 || align=center|80% || align=center|68/100 |- |2022 || ''Euphoria'' season 2 || align=center|78% || align=center|74/100 |- |2023 || ''The Idol'' || align=center|18% || align=center|27/100 |- |2026 || ''Euphoria'' season 3 || align=center|42% || align=center|56/100 |- |}
==Accolades== {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference(s)}}. |- | rowspan="2" | 2011 | rowspan="2" | Sundance Film Festival | Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award | rowspan="3" | ''Another Happy Day'' | {{won}} | rowspan="16" style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="imdbawards">{{cite web|title=Sam Levinson – Awards – IMDb|website = IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0506094/awards?ref_=nm_awd|access-date=June 15, 2020}}</ref> |- | Grand Jury Prize Dramatic | {{nom}} |- | 2011 | Deauville American Film Festival | Grand Special Prize | {{nom}} |- | 2018 | rowspan="2" | Writers Guild of America Awards | Television: Long Form – Adapted | ''The Wizard of Lies'' | {{nom}} |- | 2021 | Television: Episodic Drama | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for "Trouble Don't Last Always")}} | {{nom}} |- | 2018 | Toronto International Film Festival | People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness | ''Assassination Nation'' | {{nom}} |- | 2018 | Sitges Film Festival | Grand Audience Award for Best Motion Picture (Official Fantastic Selection) | ''Assassination Nation'' | {{nom}} |- | 2020 | British Academy Television Awards | Best International Programme | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for season 1)}} | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | rowspan="2" | Black Reel TV Awards | Outstanding Drama Series | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for season 2}}) | {{nom}} |- | Outstanding Original Song | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for "I'm Tired"}}) | {{Won}} |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | rowspan="2" | Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards | Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama | rowspan="2" | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird")}} | {{nom}} |- | Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama | {{nom}} |- | 2022 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Drama Series | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for season 2)}} | {{nom}} |- | 2022 | Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for "I'm Tired")}} | {{nom}} |- | 2023 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series | ''Euphoria'' {{small|(for "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird")}} | {{Won}} |- | 2023 | Cannes Film Festival | Queer Palm | ''The Idol'' | {{nom}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Sam Levinson|nowrap=yes}} *{{IMDb name|506094|Sam Levinson}}
{{Sam Levinson}} {{DirectorsGuildofAmericaOutstandingDirectingDramaSeries}} {{Sundance Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Levinson, Sam}} Category:1985 births Category:20th-century American male actors Category:21st-century American male actors Category:American male film actors Category:American male screenwriters Category:American male television writers Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent Category:American showrunners Category:American television directors Category:American television writers Category:Directors Guild of America Award winners Category:Film directors from Los Angeles Category:Film producers from Los Angeles Category:Jewish American male actors Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Los Angeles Category:Screenwriters from Los Angeles Category:Television producers from California Category:American television show creators Category:Sundance Film Festival award winners Category:Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award winners Category:21st-century American male writers