‘Schitt’s Creek’ Cast Makes Eugene Levy Cry In Emotional Tribute
The Newport Beach Film Festival is honoring Eugene Levy with a lifetime achievement award. They cannot give the award in person because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, so Eugene’s son, Dan Levy, made a video with all of his dad’s friends and Schitt’s Creek costars saying a few words. Dan shared the video on Twitter and confirmed his father was holding back tears watching it.
The Levy’s created Schitt’s Creek together from Dan’s idea. They starred as the Rose family, with Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy joining them. Schitt’s Creek ended with its sixth season in April. Here’s what the cast had to say about their TV patriarch.
‘Schitt’s Creek’ star Chris Elliott made Eugene Levy laugh
Elliott comes from a comedy family himself. His father, Bob Elliott, was a comic actor and his daughters, Abbie and Bridey, now act and direct too. Elliott said he was a fan of Levy since he watched SCTV as a teenager.
“When Eugene asked me to play Roland in Schitt’s Creek, I was a little concerned that he might not be that familiar with my work,” Elliott said. “But then at the first table read, Eugene stood up and he said, ‘Folks, we’re not going to play this for laughs.’ And I realized oh no, he’s real familiar with my work.”
The ‘Schitt’s Creek’ cast confirms Eugene Levy is a nice guy
Levy may be a great actor, but when you see him play a lovable dad like Johnny Rose, that’s not acting. His costars confirm Levy’s kindness is real.
“The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Eugene is gentleman,” Catherine O’Hara said. “Considerate, thoughtful meticulous. You are a great writer and a great character actor, the best kind of actor, and a fine gentleman to boot. I love you. God bless you.”
Schitt’s Creek was Murphy’s first series regular role. She said Levy made her feel welcome.
“He treats every single person on the set with such respect and such kindness,” Murphy said. “I hope to be just like Eugene Levy when I’m an old man.”
Dan Levy grew up with his father, yet was still impressed to see how Eugene conducted himself at work.
“You somehow managed to turn the silliest characters into the most heartwarming, likeable, charming people,” Dan Levy said. “You have an uncanny ability to find the heart in everything you do and that is because you’re such a loving person.”
Emily Hampshire played Stevie Budd, who sort of became an unofficial member of the Rose family on Schitt’s Creek.
“I feel so lucky that I got to work with you,” Hampshire said. “You are the best example of how to be a human and an actor and do it really well and be funny. He really is everyone’s dad. Like sweetest, kindest longest-talking dad.”
Eugene Levy led by example
The cast of Schitt’s Creek agreed they stood in admiration of Eugene Levy every day. He led by example, never condescending or telling people what to do.
“Eugene never makes you feel like he’s better than you are, but of course he is,” Noah Reid said. “Sometimes you catch glimpses of that through the experiences of his life and the people that are a apart of it.”
Karen Robinson played Ronnie Lee and said working on Schitt’s Creek was like a master class in acting.
“I felt like you were paying me to watch you and Catherine and everybody else that you gathered around,” Robinson said. “You were paying me to watch your genius and learn from your genius. I love you. You are the absolute best. I’m the luckiest girl that I got to work with you.”
