Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1968-07-23
- Born Place: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Also Known As:
Shawn Adam Levy, ショーン・アダム・レヴィ, שון אדם לוי, ショーン レヴィ
Shawn Levy
Born on July 23, 1968, in Montreal, Quebec, Shawn Levy is a powerhouse Canadian-American filmmaker and producer who has become one of the most influential figures in modern global entertainment. After graduating from Yale University at the age of 20 and later attending the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Levy initially pursued acting before finding his true calling behind the camera. He spent the early 2000s establishing himself as a master of the high-concept family blockbuster, directing hits like Big Fat Liar, Cheaper by the Dozen, and the massive Night at the Museum franchise. However, his career underwent a significant evolution as he moved into more complex territory, founding his production company, 21 Laps Entertainment, and producing the Academy Award-nominated sci-fi drama Arrival (2016). This shift culminated in his partnership with the Duffer Brothers to executive produce and direct key episodes of Stranger Things, a series that defined the last decade of his professional life. As of 2026, Levy’s status as a premier Hollywood "fixer" and visionary has been solidified by a string of massive successes, most notably directing the record-breaking Marvel blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). His collaboration with Ryan Reynolds has become one of the most profitable partnerships in cinema, extending through films like Free Guy and The Adam Project. In the realm of television, Levy remained the emotional and structural backbone of Stranger Things until its very end. In the 2026 documentary One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, Levy is depicted as the "bridge" between the Duffer Brothers’ creative vision and the massive logistical requirements of the final season. He directed the high-octane penultimate episode, "Chapter Seven: The Bridge," which featured some of the series' most complex practical stunts and military sequences. Beyond his work in Hawkins, Levy is currently one of the busiest creators in the industry, overseeing a vast slate of projects under the 21 Laps banner, including the final season of Shadow and Bone and various Netflix collaborations. He is also famously attached to develop a highly anticipated Star Wars feature film, which he has described as a "dream project" that will lean into his signature blend of heart and spectacle. Personally, Levy resides in Manhattan with his wife, Serena Levy, and their four daughters. Known for his boundless energy and relentless optimism on set, he has become a mentor to the young Stranger Things cast, with many of them, including Millie Bobby Brown and Sadie Sink, crediting him for protecting their well-being during their transition from child actors to global stars.
