Sam Levinson

Sam Levinson is a screenwriter, director, producer, and creator known for his contributions to contemporary television and film. The son of Academy Award-winning director Barry Levinson, Sam Levinson began his career as a child actor before transitioning to writing and directing. His directorial debut, "Another Happy Day," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and earned the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, establishing his reputation for emotionally charged storytelling.

Levinson expanded his filmography with "Assassination Nation," a satirical thriller that also premiered at Sundance, and co-wrote "The Wizard of Lies," an HBO television film featuring Robert De Niro as Bernie Madoff. His feature "Malcolm & Marie," a single-location drama starring Zendaya and John David Washington, was acquired by Netflix and highlighted his skill in crafting intimate, dialogue-driven narratives. Levinson's work is recognized for its distinctive visual style and exploration of psychologically complex themes.

Levinson is the creator of "Euphoria" for HBO, a teen drama series inspired by his personal experiences with anxiety, depression, and drug addiction. As creator, writer, director, and executive producer of every episode, Levinson developed the series into a widely discussed and highly viewed drama, with the second season averaging more than 16 million viewers across platforms. The series received 25 Primetime Emmy nominations and nine wins, and Levinson earned a Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series, as well as personal Emmy nominations for original music and lyrics composed for the show.

Levinson has discussed his past addiction and sobriety, noting that these experiences informed the portrayal of Rue Bennett's struggle with substance abuse in "Euphoria." This personal perspective contributes to the authenticity of his storytelling. In addition to "Euphoria," Levinson has served as executive producer on projects including "Pieces of a Woman," "X," and "Pearl," establishing his presence in the film and television industry as a creator willing to explore challenging subject matter and innovative storytelling techniques.