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But I sat next to the class clown, and I studied him.'" - on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, September 2005 Eugene Levy. What can one say about this man whose career has spanned decades and countries, and whose eyebrows have spanned an entire forehead? Nothing but words of pure adoration. _____ Who's Eugene? _______________ Eugene Levy was born on December 17, 1946, growing up in the steel town of Hamilton, Ontario and graduating from Westdale High School. He was a film student at McMaster University ('69), where he met future co-stars Dave Thomas and Martin Short. In 1977, he married Deborah Divine, and together they have a son (Dan Levy, a host of Canada's MTV Live) and daughter, Sarah. Eugene once held the lead role in a Toronto production of the musical "Godspell" in his early days. However, he launched his career with the Toronto sketch-comedy troupe Second City and its following "SCTV" show in the mid-'70s (co-starring Catherine O'Hara, John Candy, and Rick Moranis among other young Canadian comics), creating a slew of quirky characters such as Earl Camembert, Yosh Schmenge, and Bobby Bittman. He wears many hats these days: actor (in over 50 productions to date), producer (Sodbusters, The Last Polka), director (Once Upon a Crime...), film writer, and even song composer (winning a Grammy for 2003's "A Mighty Wind"). He is perhaps best known for his SCTV work, his roles in the popular Christopher Guest-directed films, acting as "Jim's Dad" in the American Pie series, and overall, his multitude of odd but lovable characters in many movies. He's received two Emmys for his work as well as his own star on the Canadian Walk of Fame. For years, Eugene has kept audiences entertained with his impressive comedic timing, original characters, and dashing looks. And I think it may be safe to say, we've still got much left to see! _____ For more of Eugene's story, visit these sites: ______ .:. Waiting for Guffman official site - About the Cast .:. Eugene's Wikipedia page .:. Eugene's IMDb Biography .:. Over the Hedge official site - Cast page and .:. the Work page _____ Eugene answers some fans' questions ________ (from Premiere Magazine, May 2004) .:. "Is it necessary to be Canadian to succeed in comedy, or just a really good idea?" - Derek McCulloch, Oakland EL: "I think it's imperative to be Canadian if you want to succeed in comedy, but I can't think of one good reason why." .:. "What made you decide to go into comedy?" - Rev. Lindsey Morrison Grant, Portland, OR EL: "I found in high school that it was the best way to get attention. People responded to my sense of humor, so much so that they elected me president of the student council. It was better than being a football hero. And less painful." .:. "How did you first get involved with Christopher Guest?" - Will Milton, Williamsburg, VA EL: "I first heard Chris on a National Lampoon Record called 'Goodbye Pop' [1975] and was blown away by his character work. When I started working with him on 'Waiting for Guffman,' I got to experience his genius close up. And it's still the best show in town." .:. "How do you and Guest brainstorm new ideas? Do you trade off or resort to arm wrestling? And how do you control the ad-libbing to maintain a semblance of the original idea?" - Deborah Nicol, Bluffton, SC EL: "Well, the truth is out. We do arm wrestle for the best ideas, and I get more of MY ideas incorporated into our scripts. Which gives you some idea of how big my bicep really is. As for ad-libbing (improvising - not ad-libbing), our story outline is detailed enough on a scene-by-scene basis so that as long as the actors get the story information out, they can ad-lib ad infinitum." .:."I've written a spec script for 'Armed and Dangerous 2'. Meg Ryan has tentatively committed, and I've got some people who are developing a computer-generated John Candy. You'd have to wear that butt-cheek costume again, though. Can we count on your involvement?" - Greg Hardy, Gainesville, FL EL: "No." .:. "Do you plan to take other dramatic roles in the future, like Jim Carrey and Robin Williams have?" EL: "I actually thought my role in 'Dumb and Dumberer' was pretty dramatic. Maybe down the line a few years, something dramatic could hold some interest for me, but right now, I just like hearing the laughs." .:. "Have you ever driven a Chevy out to an actual levy and thought about the irony?" - Stephen Bailey, Cliffside Park, NJ EL: "You lost me on the irony part." .:. "Did you like making the 'American Pie' movies, or did you just want to buy a beach house?" - Madeline Strum, St. Charles, IL EL: "The 'American Pie' trilogy is, needless to say, quite close to my heart. I enjoyed every aspect of those films. I worked with a group of extremely talented people and made some great friends. And I will always feel honoured to have played the man with no name - Jim's Dad." .:. "How did you get to be the coolest actor in Hollywood?" - Adam Hill, Edmonton, Alberta EL: "Sex appeal. Born with it. Pure and simple." .:. "If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?" - Stephen Bailey, Cliffside Park, NJ EL: "I know where you're going with this question. You're trying to get me to cry. Well, it ain't gonna happen. And pass the Kleenex." |
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