Barry Levinson

Born:April 6, 1942

Place of Birth:Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Known For:Directing

Biography

Barry Levinson, born on April 6, 1942, is a multi-talented American filmmaker who has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. With a career spanning decades, Levinson has proven himself to be a versatile artist, excelling in various roles such as screenwriter, director, actor, and producer. His impressive body of work includes some of the most iconic films in Hollywood history.

Levinson is perhaps best known for his directorial prowess, with movies like "The Natural" (1984), "Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987), and "Rain Man" (1988) cementing his reputation as a master storyteller. These films not only captivated audiences around the globe but also garnered critical acclaim, earning Levinson numerous awards and nominations for his exceptional work behind the camera.

In addition to his directorial achievements, Levinson has also made significant contributions as a screenwriter, crafting compelling narratives that resonate with viewers on a deep and emotional level. His screenplay for "Sleepers" (1996) is a testament to his storytelling skills, showcasing his ability to tackle complex and thought-provoking themes with nuance and sensitivity.

As a producer, Levinson has been involved in bringing some of the most memorable films and television shows to life. His work on projects like "Wag the Dog" (1997) demonstrates his keen eye for talent and his knack for creating engaging and impactful content that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Beyond his work behind the camera, Levinson has also dabbled in acting, showcasing his versatility as an artist. While he may not be as well-known for his performances in front of the camera, his talent and passion for storytelling shine through in every role he takes on, adding depth and authenticity to the characters he portrays.

With a career as illustrious as Levinson's, it comes as no surprise that he has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. His films continue to stand the test of time, captivating new generations of viewers and inspiring aspiring filmmakers to follow in his footsteps. Levinson's dedication to his craft and his unwavering commitment to storytelling make him a true icon in the world of entertainment, and his legacy is sure to endure for years to come.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Bee Movie

Martin Benson (voice)

2007

Barry B. Benson, a recent college graduate who wants more out of his life than making honey, decides to sue the human race after learning about the exploitation of bees at the hands of mankind.

Wag the Dog

Man at a Movie Studio (uncredited)

1997

During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.

History of the World: Part I

Column Salesman - The Roman Empire

1981

An uproarious version of history that proves nothing is sacred – not even the Roman Empire, the French Revolution and the Spanish Inquisition.

Ennio

Self

2022

A portrait of Ennio Morricone, the most popular and prolific film composer of the 20th century, the one most loved by the international public, a two-time Oscar winner and the author of over five hundred unforgettable scores.

Quiz Show

Dave Garroway

1994

Herbert Stempel's transformation into an unexpected television personality unfolds as he secures victory on the cherished American game show, 'Twenty-One.' However, when the show introduces the highly skilled contestant Charles Van Doren to replace Stempel, it compels Stempel to let out his frustrations and call out the show as rigged. Lawyer Richard Goodwin steps in and attempts to uncover the orchestrated deception behind the scenes.

High Anxiety

Dennis - Bellboy

1977

A psychiatrist with intense acrophobia (fear of heights) goes to work for a mental institution run by doctors who appear to be crazier than their patients, and have secrets that they are willing to commit murder to keep.

Production

The Alto Knights

Producer

2025

Two of New York's most notorious organized crime bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, vie for control of the city's streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that will reshape the Mafia (and America) forever.

Rain Man

Director

1988

When car dealer Charlie Babbitt learns that his estranged father has died, he returns home to Cincinnati, where he discovers that he has a savant older brother named Raymond and that his father's $3 million fortune is being left to the mental institution in which Raymond lives. Motivated by his father's money, Charlie checks Raymond out of the facility in order to return with him to Los Angeles. The brothers' cross-country trip ends up changing both their lives.

Megalopolis

Thanks

2024

Genius artist Cesar Catilina seeks to leap the City of New Rome into a utopian, idealistic future, while his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero, the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.

Sleepers

Director

1996

Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.

Donnie Brasco

Executive Producer

1997

An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and identifies more with the mafia life at the expense of his regular one.

Bandits

Producer

2001

After escaping from prison, Joe and Terry go on a crime spree, robbing banks through Oregon and California in order to finance their scheme for a new life south of the border. Unfortunately, things get more complicated when they meet Kate, who runs into them with her car. She joins the bandits on their cross-country spree, and eventually she steals something, too: their hearts.

Sphere

Producer

1998

A spacecraft is discovered on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, presumed to be at least 300 years old and of alien origin. A crack team of scientists and experts is assembled and taken to the Habitat, a state-of-the-art underwater living environment, to investigate.

Wag the Dog

Producer

1997

Disclosure

Director

1994

A computer specialist is sued for sexual harassment by a former lover turned boss who initiated the act forcefully, which threatens both his career and his personal life.

The Survivor

Director

2022

Harry Haft is a boxer who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive. Haunted by the memories and his guilt, he attempts to use high-profile fights against boxing legends like Rocky Marciano as a way to find his first love again.

Tootsie

Additional Writing

1982

When struggling, out of work actor Michael Dorsey secretly adopts a female alter ego – Dorothy Michaels – in order to land a part in a daytime drama, he unwittingly becomes a feminist icon and ends up in a romantic pickle.

The Wizard of Lies

Executive Producer

2017

A look behind the scenes at Bernie Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme, how it was perpetrated on the public and the trail of destruction it left in its wake, both for the victims and Madoff's family.

Good Morning, Vietnam

Director

1987

A disk jockey goes to Vietnam to work for the Armed Forces Radio Service. While he becomes popular among the troops, his superiors disapprove of his humor.

A Little Princess

Executive Producer

1995

When her father enlists to fight for the British in WWI, young Sara Crewe goes to New York to attend the same boarding school her late mother attended. She soon clashes with the severe headmistress, Miss Minchin, who attempts to stifle Sara's creativity and sense of self-worth.

Analyze That

Executive Producer

2002

The mafia's Paul Vitti is back in prison and will need some serious counseling when he gets out. Naturally, he returns to his analyst Dr. Ben Sobel for help and finds that Sobel needs some serious help himself as he has inherited the family practice, as well as an excess stock of stress.

What Just Happened

Producer

2008

During the course of an ordinary week in Hollywood, movie producer Ben must navigate his way through shark-infested waters as he struggles to complete his latest projects. A demanding studio boss demands extensive changes to a movie starring Sean Penn, while another chief won't greenlight a project unless star Bruce Willis shaves his beard. Meanwhile, Ben tries to reconcile with his wife and maintain a relationship with his young daughter.

...And Justice for All

Writer

1979

An ethical Baltimore defense lawyer disgusted with rampant legal corruption is forced to defend a judge he despises in a rape trial under the threat of being disbarred.

Young Sherlock Holmes

Director

1985

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson meet as boys in an English Boarding school. Holmes is known for his deductive ability even as a youth, amazing his classmates with his abilities. When they discover a plot to murder a series of British business men by an Egyptian cult, they move to stop it.

Envy

Producer

2004

A man becomes increasingly jealous of his friend's newfound success.

Bugsy

Producer

1991

New York gangster Ben 'Bugsy' Siegel takes a brief business trip to Los Angeles. A sharp-dressing womanizer with a foul temper, Siegel doesn't hesitate to kill or maim anyone crossing him. In L.A. the life, the movies, and most of all strong-willed Virginia Hill detain him while his family wait back home. Then a trip to a run-down gambling joint at a spot in the desert known as Las Vegas gives him his big idea.

Toys

Screenplay

1992

Leslie Zevo is a fun-loving inventor who must save his late father's toy factory from his evil uncle, Leland, a war-mongering general who rules the operation with an iron fist and builds weapons disguised as toys.

Diner

Screenplay

1982

Set in 1959, Diner shows how five young men resist their adulthood and seek refuge in their beloved Diner. The mundane, childish, and titillating details of their lives are shared. But the golden moments pass, and the men shoulder their responsibilities, leaving the Diner behind.

The Bay

Director

2012

Two million fish washed ashore. One thousand blackbirds dropped from the sky. On July 4, 2009 a deadly menace swept through the quaint seaside town of Claridge, Maryland, but the harrowing story of what happened that Independence Day has never been told—until now. The authorities believed they had buried the truth about the tragedy that claimed over 700 human lives. Now, three years later, a reporter has emerged with footage revealing the cover-up and an unimaginable killer: a mysterious parasitic outbreak. Told from the perspective of those who were there and saw what happened, The Bay unfolds over 24 hours through people's iPhones, Androids, 911 calls, webcams, and whatever else could be used to document the nightmare in Claridge. What follows is a nerve-shredding tale of a small town plunged into absolute terror.

High Anxiety

Writer

1977

Man of the Year

Writer

2006

The irreverent host of a political satire talk show decides to run for president and expose corruption in Washington. His stunt goes further than he expects when he actually wins the election, but a software engineer suspects that a computer glitch is responsible for his surprising victory.

Homicide: The Movie

Executive Producer

2000

Retired police lieutenant Al Giardello is running for mayor when he is suddenly shot at a press conference. All of the detectives, past and present, clamor for an opportunity to help find the shooter.