Dan Levy

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, Conan welcomes Emmy-winning actor, writer, and director Dan Levy, best known for his role as David Rose in Schitt's Creek. The conversation begins with playful banter about Grey's Anatomy’s longevity and Conan’s shock at Dan’s 14-season binge, leading into a deep, affectionate tribute to the late Catherine O'Hara, whose passing deeply affected Dan. He shares intimate memories of working with her, including a legendary SNL 50th anniversary moment where she punched him for a Paul McCartney joke. Dan reflects on the unique cultural phenomenon of Canadian comedy, attributing its brilliance to self-awareness, humility, and a lack of hubris—qualities he believes stem from Canada’s identity in contrast to America’s boldness. He opens up about his own journey of overcoming insecurity as the son of SCTV legend Eugene Levy, carefully building his own career in Canada before achieving global success with Schitt's Creek. Dan also discusses the emotional and financial realities of making Schitt's Creek, including selling all costumes to pay debts, and shares his creative philosophy of prioritizing quality over momentum. He introduces his new Netflix series, Big Mistakes, a genre-blending comedy-thriller where he plays a pastor entangled in crime, emphasizing his desire to explore new territory. The episode concludes with a satirical deep dive into Dan’s tax-deductible 'arcana'—dinosaur eggs, swords, and meteorites—sparking a comedic debate about IRS compliance and the line between personal passion and business expense, all wrapped in the show’s signature absurdity and warmth.