Eugene Levy Joins the Hollywood Walk of Fame
By Joseph Montgomery
There exists a variety of icons and landmarks that symbolize Hollywood and its status as a mecca for entertainment, from the Hollywood Sign itself to a plethora of historic theaters such as TCL Chinese Theatre and El Capitan Theatre. No Hollywood icon, however, represents the city’s many stars more than the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Established back in 1958 by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Walk of Fame serves to bring tourists and pop culture enthusiasts alike to Hollywood by showcasing various names of iconic celebrities on the sidewalks throughout Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard. Since 1960, the Walk of Fame has contributed to the city’s tradition of crafting stars for certain celebrities and adding them to the sidewalks for locals and visitors to come across; in fact, the Walk of Fame currently exhibits over 2,700 stars dedicated to many timeless names in the field of entertainment.
Now, the Hollywood Walk of Fame has immortalized the name of an iconic figure in the field of comedy.
On March 8, comedy actor Eugene Levy, best recognized for titles such as “Schitt’s Creek” and “American Pie”, was given his own star to be added to the Walk of Fame. As tradition with awarding celebrities their stars for the Walk of Fame, the occasion was given a special ceremony, which started at 11:30 P.M. at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard. The event was attended by many of Levy’s closest friends and loved ones, including long-time acting colleague Catherine O’Hara; “American Pie” co-star Jason Biggs; daughter and “Schitt’s Creek” co-star Sarah Levy; and grandson James.
Levy was also given the opportunity to deliver a speech in light of the moment, during which he emotionally expressed his gratitude for his family ― including his wife Deborah Divine.
“Here's some irony for you: I'm not the funny guy in my family,” he shared in his speech. “That medal belongs to my wife, Deb. And yet I’m getting the star. Go figure.
“But here's what I know ― you can't have your name put on a star on Hollywood Boulevard without someone having your back,” he went on. “And Deb's had mine for 47 years, so, there would be no star today without you.”
Levy was born in Hamilton, Canada, on December 17, 1946. His earliest step into mainstream entertainment was back in 1974 when he joined the Toronto branch of the improvisational comedy company Second City.
A few years later, he went on to become a writer for and star in the sketch comedy show “SCTV” ― also known as “Second City Television” ― alongside Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, John Candy, and Rick Moranis. He alongside his colleagues for the series went on to win two Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program in 1982 and 1983.
Levy continued to work as a comedy actor for numerous films directed by Christopher Guest, including “Almost Heroes”, “Waiting for Guffman”, “For Your Consideration”, “A Mighty Wind”, and “Best in Show”. “A Mighty Wind” won him, alongside Guest and Michael McKean, a Grammy for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.
Another collection of films he is best recognized for is the raunchy “American Pie” franchise, in which he starred as Noah Levenstein, the father of Jason Biggs’ protagonist Jim. The “American Pie” saga lasted for four films from 1999 to 2012, with Levy starring in all four of them alongside Biggs.
Levy is also no stranger to animated works, as he performed vocal roles for films such as “Curious George”, “Over the Hedge”, and “Finding Dory”. Other movies he starred in over the years included “National Lampoon’s Vacation”, “Splash”, “Multiplicity”, “Cheaper by the Dozen 2”, and “Josie and the Pussycats”.
These days, however, he is best recognized for his involvement with the comedy series “Schitt’s Creek”, which he co-created and starred in alongside his son Dan. The show lasted for a total of six seasons from 2015 to 2020 and won a total of nine Emmys during its run. Such acclaim, along with an audience of over three million viewers since its premiere on Pop TV, elevated him and his son ― alongside co-stars Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy, Sarah Levy, and Emily Hampshire ― into a state of widespread popularity.
It is arguably because of the massive praise and success “Schitt’s Creek” achieved that Levy’s name is an integral fragment of Hollywood’s history and legacy as an entertainment capital, an honor that his daughter Sarah expressed plenty of excitement and passion for during the ceremony.
“I'm continuously amazed by his stamina. His attention to detail. His passion. And his unwavering dedication to his craft,” Sarah stated in her speech regarding her father. “Ultimately, he's shown my brother and me how important it is to do what you love. I think most, if not all, of his success comes from the fact that he absolutely loves what he does. Not as much as golf. But close.
“We love you so much,” she addressed her father when concluding her speech. “And we can't wait for people to walk all over you.”
This kind of honor, as Levy declared it best, “is about as far from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada as you can get.”