Samuel Levinson born January 8, 1985 is an American actor and filmmaker. He is best known as the creator of the HBO teen drama series Euphoria (2019–present), for which he earned a BAFTA TV Award nomination.
He is also known for writing and directing the comedy drama film Another Happy Day (2011), the thriller film Assassination Nation (2018), and the romantic drama film Malcolm & Marie (2021). He co-wrote the action film Operation: Endgame (2010) and the biopic The Wizard of Lies (2017).
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. He is of Jewish descent from his father’s side. Levinson studied method acting for four years. Samuel has a brother Jack Levinson who is also an actor.
Career
Levinson made his film debut as an actor in the 1992 fantasy comedy Toys, alongside his brother Jack. He later appeared in the comedy-drama film Bandits (2001) and the satirical comedy film What Just Happened (2008). In 2009, he co-starred as Peter Thompson in the arthouse drama film Stoic.
In 2011, Levinson won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival for his directorial debut film, Another Happy Day, which starred Ellen Barkin.
Levinson co-wrote the 2017 television film The Wizard of Lies, which was directed by his father Barry Levinson. The film focuses on Bernie Madoff, who is played by Robert De Niro.
In 2018, Levinson wrote and directed the film Assassination Nation. The film 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.
In June 2019, Levinson created the HBO television drama series Euphoria, based on the Israeli series of the same name (Hebrew: אופוריה). The series received critical acclaim for its direction, writing, and acting. It was notable for its raw and graphic portrayal of teenagers wrestling with drug addiction and sexuality.
Levinson co-wrote the screenplay for the upcoming psychological erotic thriller Deep Water, based on the 1957 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith. He also executive produced the drama film Pieces of a Woman.
In 2020, Levinson wrote and directed the film Malcolm & Marie, reuniting him with Euphoria star Zendaya. The film was distributed by Netflix in February 2021.
Personal life
From 2008 to 2011, Levinson dated the actress Ellen Barkin. Levinson is married to Ashley Lent Levinson. The couple have a son.
Levinson has discussed his struggles with drugs as a teenager and young adult.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Writer | Producer | Notes | ||
| 2010 | Operation: Endgame | No | Yes | No | Co-wrote with Brian Watanabe |
| 2011 | Another Happy Day | Yes | Yes | No | Feature directorial debut |
| 2017 | The Wizard of Lies | No | Yes | No | Co-wrote with Sam Baum and John Burnham Schwartz |
| 2018 | Assassination Nation | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2020 | Pieces of a Woman | No | No | Executive | |
| 2021 | Malcolm & Marie | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2021 | Deep Water | No | Yes | No | Co-wrote with Zach Helm |
Acting roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Toys | War Room Player | |
| 2001 | Bandits | Billy Saunders | |
| 2008 | What Just Happened | Carl | |
| 2009 | Stoic | Peter Thompson |
Television
| Year | Title | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Writer | Executive Producer |
Notes | ||
| 2019–present | Euphoria | Yes | Yes | Yes | Creator; 12 episodes |