Dan Levy Tells All on What Dad Eugene Levy Taught Him About Comedy
| LAST UPDATE 03/30/2021
For Dan Levy, comedy is a family affair. The actor and producer recently opened up about what he's learned from his dad and comedic icon, Eugene Levy, and clarified who really started that sticky-note tradition on Saturday Night Live.
In an interview with TODAY, Daniel Levy discussed what he thought made his and dad Eugene Levy's working relationship so amazing. "You have to really respect the person you're working with, and I think when you do, it makes for a very easy go of things," the comedian said. "I have so long admired what my dad had done, and ... I think he really let me have space to find my own footing."
Dan said that he was quite inexperienced when the power duo first started working together, and his father helped him grow. "I think what I learned from him, just from a comedy standpoint, is that ... there's so much generosity, I think, to great comedy," Levy explained. "You have to just give people space. There's just such joy in knowing that you have each other's back."
Daniel went on to talk about how he didn't have a "huge background" in improv. "I did a couple classes at UCB [Upright Citizens Brigade] with some people who were bank tellers wanting to really find their voice," he recalled, laughing. "The experience was interesting, but even on set, you realize like, all the great moments, all the great comedy, comes out of people feeling free to just try things and experiment and find their ... voice and their footing in a safe space."
The Schitt's Creek creator might not have much experience in improv, but that doesn't mean he's not capable of making a live audience crack up. Levy rocked the set of Saturday Night Live when hosting the sketch comedy show in early February. Appearing on SNL for the first time, the star made headlines after leaving a sweet and encouraging note for the following hostess, Regina King. King then followed his lead, leaving a sticky-note for Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page, who did the same for Nick Jonas.
That’s the plan! Thanks for the note @regejean 💪🏼 @nbcsnl pic.twitter.com/la4XE2kkbn
— NICK JONɅS (@nickjonas) February 28, 2021
In Levy's interview with TODAY, the 37-year-old clarified who actually started the trend. "I kind of continued it," the comedic icon said, explaining that he was inspired by a note Woody Harrelson left for Phoebe Waller-Bridge in 2019. "So I asked if I could leave a note for Regina because the process is such a strange experience ... Strange, wonderful and intimidating experience that like, a little note from the person that had just done it felt like such a sweet vote of confidence." While that's certainly true, we're guessing the show's latest host, SNL alum Maya Rudolph, didn't need much help feeling right at home at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
