The planet may be scourged by a pandemic, political chaos, and social unrest, but at least we still have Eugene Levy—the Schitt’s Creek star/cocreator and Canadian comedy legend. This reminder comes courtesy of a darling new video in which Levy is presented with the Newport Beach Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Given coronavirus travel restrictions, Levy appears remotely to accept the award—seemingly expecting a straightforward presentation. But the actor is shocked to see that the festival compiled a surprise—a merry montage of tributes from longtime comedy friends Steve Martin, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Jennifer Coolidge, Andrea Martin, Chris Elliott, and Jason Biggs, as well as his Schitt’s Creek castmates, including Dan Levy, Sarah Levy, Annie Murphy, and Noah Reid. (Two of those actors, of course, double as Levy’s actual children.)
The video’s best line may come courtesy of Steve Martin, who tells Levy, “First, let me say what an honor it is for me to not be there tonight. To be able to tribute you and not really have to do much—or go anywhere, just stay home—is such a thrill.”
Levy’s son and his Schitt’s Creek cocreator, Dan Levy, shared the video on Tuesday on Twitter, writing, “Want to experience pure, unfiltered joy? Watch my Dad try to hold back the tears when he is surprised by his friends and cast mates in this little tribute video for his Lifetime Achievement Achievement Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Love you, Dad! You deserve it all.”
Last month Eugene Levy made headlines for another reason: The actor earned a lead-actor Emmy nomination for the final season of Schitt’s Creek.
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