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Jane Levy

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Not to be confused with Jane Leavy.
Jane Levy
Levy at the 2013 WonderCon
Born
Jane Colburn Levy

(1989-12-29) December 29, 1989 (age 34)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materStella Adler Studio of Acting
OccupationActress
Years active2011–present
Spouse
Jaime Freitas
​
​
(m. 2011; div. 2013)​
PartnerThomas McDonell (2011–present)

Jane Colburn Levy (/ˈliːvi/ LEE-vee;[a] born (1989-12-29)December 29, 1989)[1] is an American actress. After attending the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, she debuted as the original Mandy Milkovich on the Showtime comedy-drama Shameless (2011). Levy left Shameless following its first season to portray the lead of the ABC sitcom Suburgatory from 2011 to 2014. Transitioning to film, Levy collaborated with director Fede Álvarez as the lead of the horror films Evil Dead (2013) and Don't Breathe (2016). She returned to television with series regular roles on the Hulu comedy-drama There's... Johnny! (2017) and horror fantasy Castle Rock (2018), in addition to headlining the Netflix thriller miniseries What/If (2019). From 2020 to 2021, Levy portrayed the title character of the NBC musical comedy-drama Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy.

Early life

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Jane Colburn Levy was born on December 29, 1989 in Los Angeles, California, the second child of Mary (née Tilbury) an artist and florist, and Lester Levy, a musician turned mediator.[2] Her father is Jewish, and her mother is of English, Scottish, and Irish descent.[3][4] She has one elder brother, Simon.[2] When Levy was an infant, her family relocated from Los Angeles to northern California, settling in San Anselmo, where she was raised.[2] She attended Sir Francis Drake High School, where she was on the hip hop dancing team and was captain of the soccer team; she began playing soccer at age five.[5]

Levy attended Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, for one year, where she played on the Division III varsity women's soccer team.[5] After experiencing significant depression during her first year of studies, Levy chose to drop out of Goucher College and instead opted to study acting.[6] She subsequently transferred to the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, where she graduated from the Conservatory.[7]

Career

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2010–2015

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Levy in 2013

Levy moved to Los Angeles after two years in New York City.[8] She played the recurring character Mandy Milkovich, her first TV role, during the first season of the Showtime comedy-drama Shameless in early 2011. In March 2011, she landed the first lead role of her career on the sitcom Suburgatory, with Jeremy Sisto and Cheryl Hines, forcing Emma Greenwell to replace Levy in her Shameless role for season 2 onward.[9][10] On May 9, 2014, Suburgatory was canceled by ABC after three seasons.

Levy was named by both TV Guide and TheInsider.com as one of the breakout stars of 2011,[11][12] and was included on the top eleven list of funniest women compiled by AOL.[13] Forbes named her as one of the handful of entertainment stars on their list of 30 under 30 who are "reinventing the world" (a list of the brightest stars of the future).[14][15] Noting that Suburgatory was "one of the big hits of the new [TV] season" and that Levy would be seen in two upcoming films, Forbes called her "one to watch".[16]

Levy appeared in two films in 2012: Fun Size, the first feature from Gossip Girl creator Josh Schwartz, and Nobody Walks directed by Ry Russo-Young and written by Lena Dunham.[17] Levy later starred in the 2013 remake of the horror classic The Evil Dead,[18] as the drug-dependent Mia, replacing Lily Collins, who had originally been cast.[19] The following year, she starred in two independent films, About Alex and Bang Bang Baby.[20][21] In 2015, Levy co-starred opposite Rene Russo and Oliver Platt in Frank and Cindy.[22]

2016–present

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In 2016, Levy teamed up again with Evil Dead director Fede Álvarez, starring in horror film Don't Breathe, which tells the story of three friends breaking into the house of a wealthy blind man.[23] A sleeper hit, Don't Breathe received critical acclaim[24] and grossed over $156 million.[25] That same year, she starred with Lucas Till in Monster Trucks, Paramount Animation's first live-action/CGI film, directed by Ice Age's Chris Wedge.[26][27]

In 2017, Levy appeared as Dez in I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore directed by Macon Blair,[28] and as Elizabeth in an episode of Showtime series Twin Peaks.[29] In November 2017, Levy starred in Hulu's There's...Johnny! as Joy Greenfield, the female lead.[30] That year, Levy also co-starred with Glenn Close in the Amazon pilot Sea Oak, written by George Saunders and directed by Hiro Murai.[31]

In 2018, Levy appeared in Sony Crackle's zombie comedy Office Uprising,[32] and starred as Jackie Torrance, niece of Stephen King's Jack Torrance, in Hulu's critically acclaimed Castle Rock, also inspired by King's work.[33][34] Levy starred in Mike Kelley's Netflix thriller miniseries What/If alongside Renée Zellweger and Blake Jenner.[35] She appeared in James Franco's romantic drama The Pretenders as Catherine, the female lead.[36] From 2020 to 2021, she starred as the titular character in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist from NBC, which ran for two seasons.[37]

Personal life

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On March 3, 2011, Levy married actor Jaime Freitas. According to court documents, the couple separated on October 31, 2011. In April 2013, Levy filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.[38][39]

Levy is currently in a relationship with actor Thomas McDonell.[40] In June 2024, the couple revealed that they are expecting their first child.[41]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Director(s) Notes Ref.
2012 Nobody Walks Caroline Ry Russo-Young [42]
Fun Size April Martin-Danzinger-Ross Josh Schwartz [42]
2013 Evil Dead Mia Allen Fede Álvarez [42]
2014 About Alex Kate Jesse Zwick [42]
Bang Bang Baby Stepphy Holiday Jeffrey St. Jules [42]
2015 Nicholas & Hillary Hillary Elizabeth Orr Short film [43]
Here Now Mel Gregg Araki Short film [44]
Frank and Cindy Kate G.J. Echternkamp [42]
2016 Don't Breathe Rocky Fede Álvarez [42]
Monster Trucks Meredith Chris Wedge [42]
2017 I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore Dez Macon Blair [42]
2018 Office Uprising Samantha Lin Oeding [45]
Pretenders Catherine James Franco [42]
2023 A Little Prayer Tammy Angus MacLachlan [46]
The Toxic Avenger Cheerful Insurance Rep Macon Blair Voice [47]
The Problem with People Natalya Chris Cottam [42]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 Shameless Mandy Milkovich 5 episodes [48]
2011–2014 Suburgatory Tessa Altman Main role; 57 episodes [49]
2014 Kroll Show Madison Episode: "Krolling Around with Nick Klown" [50]
2016 Swedish Dicks Taylor Slow / Ruth Episode: "Howl Like a Big Dog" [51]
2017 Twin Peaks Elizabeth Episode: "Part 5" [52]
Sea Oak Min Television film [53]
There's... Johnny! Joy Greenfield Main cast; 7 episodes [49]
2018 Castle Rock Diane "Jackie" Torrance Main cast; 10 episodes [49]
2019 What/If Lisa Donovan Main role; 10 episodes [49]
2020–2021 Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Zoey Clarke 25 episodes
Main role 		[54]
2021 Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas Zoey Clarke Television film [55]
2023 Dave Brittany Parker Episode: "Harrison Ave" [56]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Nominated [57]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy Won [58]

Notes

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  1. ^ Levy says her own name near the end of an interview on Today, broadcast on January 4, 2021. Asked about any relationship to the actors Dan and Eugene Levy, she says "My last name is LEE-vee, theirs is LEV-ee; unfortunately, we're not related."

References

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  1. ^ "Jane Levy". AllMovie. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Larson, Vicki (April 17, 2012). "Jane Levy's 'Suburgatory' background was San Anselmo". Marin Independent Journal. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Munsi, Pallabi (May 12, 2021). "Jane Levy? Arrived. In One Piece? Just About". OZY. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Gerri Miller (August 24, 2016). "Hollywood Now: Adam Brody's New Series, Jane Levy's Thriller and Gold-Medal Olympians Ervin & Ledecky". InterfaithFamily.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Actress Jane Levy first starred in soccer". ESPN. March 2, 2012. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  6. ^ Feinberg, Scott (January 22, 2021). "'Awards Chatter' Podcast: Jane Levy ('Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist')". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Nededog, Jethro (September 28, 2011). "'Suburgatory' Star Jane Levy Isn't Afraid the Show Will Offend Suburbanites". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  8. ^ "Tessa Altman played by Jane Levy". ABC. Archived from the original on January 1, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 9, 2011). "Jeremy Sisto To Star In ABC Comedy Pilot 'Suburgatory'". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 30, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  10. ^ Wightmann, Caroline (March 17, 2011). "Ana Gasteyer lands 'Suburgatory' role". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  11. ^ "Breakout Stars of 2011". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  12. ^ "2011's Biggest Breakout Stars!: Jane Levy". TheInsider.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  13. ^ "Top 11 in '11: TV's Funniest Women". AOL TV. November 30, 2011. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  14. ^ "'Forbes' Names Stars Under 30 Who Are 'Reinventing the World'". East Idaho News. December 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  15. ^ Noer, Michael (December 19, 2011). "The 30 Under 30". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  16. ^ Pomerantz, Dorothy; Ozanian, Michael K.; Ewalt, David M. "30 Under 30: Entertainment". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  17. ^ Nussbaum, Danielle. "Jane Levy on Her Breakout Role in Suburgatory". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  18. ^ Barton, Steve (April 24, 2012). "Jane Levy Talks Evil Dead Remake". Dread Central. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  19. ^ Fleming, Mike (February 3, 2012). "Jane Levy Is New Star Of 'Evil Dead' Remake". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  20. ^ "About Alex". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  21. ^ Sumi, Glenn (August 19, 2015). "Review: Bang Bang Baby". nowtoronto.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  22. ^ Harvey, Dennis (February 25, 2016). "Film Review: 'Frank and Cindy'". Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  23. ^ Collis, Clark (August 17, 2016). "Jane Levy was tormented for real while making horror-thriller Don't Breathe". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  24. ^ "Don't Breathe". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  25. ^ "Don't Breathe (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on January 31, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  26. ^ "Paramount Wants Lucas Till & Jane Levy in 'Monster Trucks' Toy Movie". firstshowing.net. February 19, 2014. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  27. ^ "Lucas Till – Lucas Till and Jane Levy to star in Monster Trucks". contactmusic. April 29, 2014. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  28. ^ "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore". IMDb. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  29. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 25, 2016). "Twin Peaks Revival: Complete Cast List Revealed (and It's Bananas)". Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  30. ^ Tim Goodman (November 16, 2017). "'There's ... Johnny!': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 26, 2017). "'Castle Rock': Jane Levy & Sissy Spacek Cast In Hulu Series From J.J. Abrams & Stephen King". Deadline. Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  32. ^ Barton, Steve (February 8, 2016). "Evil Dead's Jane Levy Joins Steven C. Miller's Office Uprising". Dread Central. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  33. ^ Longeretta, Emily (July 25, 2018). "Castle Rock's Jane Levy Opens Up About Her 'Morbid' Character". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  34. ^ "Castle Rock: Season 1 – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  35. ^ Porter, Rick (August 22, 2018). "'Castle Rock's' Jane Levy Joins Renee Zellweger in Netflix Series 'What/If'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  36. ^ Calvario, Liz (November 17, 2016). "James Franco to Direct 'The Pretenders' With Jane Levy". IndieWire. Archived from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  37. ^ "Jane Levy (II)". IMDb.
  38. ^ Nessif, Brue (May 6, 2013). "Suburgatory's Jane Levy Files for Divorce from Husband After 7 Months". E! Online. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  39. ^ Monde, Chiderah (May 6, 2013). "'Suburgatory' actress Jane Levy files for divorce after secret marriage". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 5, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  40. ^ Nepales, Ruben V. (April 19, 2020). "Jane Levy's 'Extraordinary' new series lets you sing out your pandemic stress". Inquirer. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  41. ^ Kang, Esther (June 19, 2024). "Jane Levy is Pregnant! Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Alum Expecting First Child with Boyfriend Thomas McDonell". People Magazine. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Jane Levy Filmography". AllMovie. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  43. ^ Fuller, Daniel (August 19, 2015). "Elizabeth Orr's Nicholas & Hillary". Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016.
  44. ^ Gush, Charlotte (July 6, 2015). "Teenage apocalypse: Gregg Araki made an awesome short film for Kenzo". i-D. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019.
  45. ^ Miska, Brad (June 21, 2018). "Exclusive 'Office Uprising' Trailer Drinks the Kool-Aid, Kicks Zombie Ass!". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019.
  46. ^ Nemiroff, Perri (January 31, 2023). "Jane Levy and the 'A Little Prayer' Filmmakers Discuss the On and Off-Camera Magic of David Strathairn". Collider. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  47. ^ Complex, Valerie (August 15, 2023). "Fantastic Fest Sets 2023 Lineup; Legendary Pictures' The Toxic Avenger To Open, Blumhouse Horror Comedy Totally Killer Closes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  48. ^ Ashton, Will (March 13, 2020). "Shameless: Why The Main Cast Members Left, Including Emmy Rossum". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  49. ^ a b c d "Jane Levy Credits". TV Guide. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  50. ^ Sims, David (February 12, 2014). "Kroll Show: "Krolling Around With Nick Clown"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019.
  51. ^ "Swedish Dicks : Keanu Reeves et Peter Stormare réunis dans la première bande-annonce de la série". AlloCiné (in French). June 7, 2017. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018.
  52. ^ Robinson, Joanna (June 5, 2017). "Did Twin Peaks Just Sneakily Re-Introduce an Old Fan Favorite?". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017.
  53. ^ Dueben, Alex (December 14, 2017). "Jane Levy Gets in Character for 'Sea Oak' and 'There's…Johnny!'". Vulture. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  54. ^ Wong, Stevie (June 29, 2020). "Jane Levy Finds The Biggest Challenge Of Her Career With 'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist', Becoming "A Musical Theater Person" In The Process". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  55. ^ Behnke, Megan (November 2021). "First Look At Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Christmas Movie Delivers Full Mall Performance And Premiere Date". CinemaBlend. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  56. ^ "FXX's Dave Returns with Sharp, Funny Start to Third Season | TV/Streaming | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. April 3, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  57. ^ Lisa Respers France (February 3, 2021). "Golden Globes 2021: See the full list of nominees". CNN. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  58. ^ Schneider, Michael (August 29, 2021). "'Ted Lasso,' 'The Crown,' 'The Mandalorian,' 'Cruel Summer,' 'New Amsterdam' Among HCA TV Awards Winners". Variety. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
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