Director Sam Levinson has been the brains behind some of TV’s most divisive shows in recent years, from the smash HBO Max hit Euphoria, which finally returned to our screens with its third and final season after a four-year hiatus, to The Idol starring The Weeknd, Lily Rose-Depp, and Blackpink’s Jennie Kim. However, Levinson’s “boundary-pushing” works, as some media have put it, have also earned significant criticism for excessive nudity and reported toxic working environments.
Sam Levinson attends HBO’s Euphoria season three premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, in April. Photo: AFPMost recently, amid the ongoing promotions for Euphoria’s latest season, the director has been surrounded by rumours of a feud between him and Zendaya, and was called out for “sexualising infancy” by former Fox News host Megyn Kelly after a still photo of Sydney Sweeney from the show came out. In the photo, the actress is spread-eagled on a couch with a pacifier in her mouth, her hair styled into pigtails – ostensibly as part of her storyline that involves becoming an OnlyFans creator.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sam Levinson.
Sam Levinson is a nepo baby
Director Barry Levinson and his son Sam Levinson. Photo: Getty Images
Sam Levinson was born in January 1985 to filmmaker Barry Levinson and production designer Diana Rhodes. Before the 41-year-old became a director, he started his career in Hollywood as a child actor. His debut role was in the 1992 film Toys, directed by his father and starring Robin Williams.
He went on to star in other productions by his father, including Bandits (2001) and What Just Happened (2008), but his career as a director and screenwriter took off when his debut film, Another Happy Day (2011), won best screenplay at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.
He struggled with substance abuse
Sam Levinson is behind shows like The Idol. Photo: Getty Images