Barry Levinson
Biography
Barry Levinson is an American filmmaker who started out writing for television variety programs before establishing himself as a screenwriter and director. His early film scripts included comedies for Mel Brooks such as Silent Movie (1976), and he also had a small acting part in High Anxiety (1977) as a bellboy. He co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for ...And Justice for All (1979) with Valerie Curtin. Levinson's directing debut came with Diner (1982), which he wrote as well and which brought him a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Rain Man (1988) was his biggest critical and commercial hit, taking four Academy Awards, among them Best Picture and Best Director. Other directing credits include The Natural (1984), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Bugsy (1991), and Wag the Dog (1997). He executive produced Homicide: Life on the Street and Oz, and in 2021 co-executive produced Dopesick and directed its first two episodes.
84years old
Turns 85 on April 6in 174 days
- Born Baltimore
- Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
- Also credited as Barry Lee Levinson
Movie Career
- Films
- 5
- Career span
- 44 years1977 to 2021
Every film, newest first
- 2021Ennio: The MaestroIMDb rating 8.2
- 2013Muhammad Ali's Greatest FightIMDb rating 6.7
- 2007Bee MovieIMDb rating 6.1
- 1994Jimmy HollywoodIMDb rating 5.3
- 1977High AnxietyIMDb rating 6.6
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First role
Levinson's first film as a director was Diner, released in 1982. He wrote the script too, and it brought him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Behind the camera
Levinson and producer Mark Johnson started the film production company Baltimore Pictures together. Avalon, released in 1990, was the company's first production.
Behind the camera
In 2003 Levinson came out with his first novel, Sixty-Six. Like several of his films, it draws on his own life and takes place in Baltimore during the 1960s.
Behind the award
In 2010, Levinson was given the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement. This honor is the Writers Guild of America's lifetime achievement award.
Behind the camera
Levinson worked without a credit as a co-writer on Tootsie, the 1982 comedy starring Dustin Hoffman that became a hit.
Barry Levinson movies on Netflix
Worked with
Barry Levinson made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Danny Glover's page
John Goodman's page
Christopher Plummer's page
Jim Cummings's page
Ray Liotta's page
Christian Slater's page
All films by Simon J. Smith
Steve HicknerDirector, 1 film, 2007
All films by Steve Hickner
All films by Mel Brooks
Awards
Seven awards and honors from 1989 to 2010, four of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | |||
| 1989 | Best Director | Rain Man | Won |
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1993 | Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Homicide: Life on the Street | Won |
| Berlin Film Festival | |||
| 1998 | Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize | Wag the Dog | Won |
| 1989 | Golden Bear | Rain Man | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 2010 | Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement | Won | |
| Directors Guild of America Award | Won | ||
| Writers Guild of America Award | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.