Dan Levy

Dan Levy. We know him well as the director of the Canadian sitcom “Schitt’s Creek,” as well as the charming, yet overwhelmingly nervous, character David Rose. However, between the countless Golden Globe and People’s Choice Award nominations, Levy has been making time to speak out about another important aspect of his life: his lifelong struggle with social anxiety. 

Levy has never been one to shy away from speaking out about his struggles with his mental heath. In multiple interviews, he has taken the time to explain how his struggle with anxiety started at a young age, and remained debilitating throughout his entire life. When he was a young boy, Levy avoided socializing, from refusing to go to birthday parties or hang out with friends. Even today, Levy expresses that he doesn’t go outside very often, and this choice also stems form his anxious tendencies. While he is unsure what the starting cause of his anxiety was, he explained that, “I think that [anxiety] came from a deep-rooted fear of knowing that I was gay and not being able to be free.” His parents were very supportive of his sexuality, but his deep fear of the reactions and viewpoints of his peers perpetuated his anxiety throughout high school and into his later life. 

This anxiety continued to follow him while he worked on “Schitt’s Creek”. Levy has told interviewers that there were times that filming became so intense and anxiety-inducing for him that he had to wear a neck brace while on set and continuously visit a chiropractor throughout the duration of the show. Despite this, Levy believes that playing David Rose in the sitcom helped soothe some of his social anxiety and improve his self confidence. He told one interviewer, “[David] was very sure of himself and unapologetic in his convictions. And I think playing that character for six years really informed a lot in myself. I was able to carry myself with a little bit more confidence and a little bit more gusto.” 

I was immediately drawn to Dan Levy’s character when I began watching “Schitt’s Creek.” Yes, he was sarcastic and dramatic, but I couldn’t help but just love him. As the show went on, I realized I loved David so much because in a way, I was just like him; while I’m sarcastic, confident, and in some ways full of myself, I felt the exact same daily self-doubt and anxiety that David expressed in nearly every episode. By pushing himself out of his comfort zone to play a character that felt confidence in ways he had rarely experienced in real life, Levy has inspired many of his fans and “Schitt’s Creek” lovers to find their own confidence despite their fears, and really to “fake it ‘till you make it.” I think we can all learn a lot from watching David Rose strut along the screen, and smile knowing that behind David Rose is Dan Levy learning more about himself.