Dan Levy's Parents Knew He Was Gay Long before He Told Them — Facts about the Emmy-Winning Actor

Coming out as gay to the family is a defining moment for most homosexual men and women, but Dan Levy's parents gave him the surprise of his life.

Actor Dan Levy is the writer and producer of the hit comedy series, "Schitt's Creek," in which he also plays the lead character: a pansexual formerly mega-wealthy fashionista, David Rose.

He plays opposite his father, actor Eugene Levy, who plays...well, his father. Dan, who has been openly gay for his whole adult life, opened up about his "coming out" story, and how his parents turned the table on him.

Dan has been showered with letters from LGBTQ youth about the pivotal scene on "Schitt's Creek" in which Patrick, David's romantic interest, comes out to his parents

THE NEW NORMAL

"Schitt's Creek" has garnered praise from the LGBTQ community for the way it handles gay relationships with sensitivity and humor, and especially with a casual matter-of-factness. Being gay is not ever an issue on "Schitt's Creek." Or being bisexual, pansexual, or any kind of sexual.

Dan, who created the series and the characters with his father Eugene, based David partly on himself and how his parents reacted to his sexual orientation from the word go.

COMING OUT TO MOM AND DAD

Dan was 18 when he came out to his father Eugene and to his mother, Deborah Divine (who is also a screenwriter), or rather, they outed him. Dan recounted that the family was having lunch when his mother leaned over and bluntly asked him if he was gay. Eugene confessed:

"We knew for the longest time. We were waiting and then mom couldn't wait any longer."

What is new and fresh on "Schitt's Creek" is that it portrays gay couples having the same bad, sad and romantic moments that mark every relationship

LGBTQ LOVE

Dan has been showered with letters from LGBTQ youth about the pivotal scene on "Schitt's Creek," in which Patrick, David's romantic interest, comes out to his parents. For many of the viewers, Patrick's coming out, and the loving way his declaration was received was a revelation.

Dan was surprised to receive dozens of letters from people who had previously believed gay relationships were sinful and "wrong," telling him that they now had a new perspective.

ROMANTIC DAN LEVY

What is new and fresh on "Schitt's Creek" is that it portrays gay couples having the same bad, sad and romantic moments that mark every relationship and are usually only depicted for heterosexual couples.

Dan admits that he is a romantic, but that the last six hectic years with "Schitt's Creek" has left him with no time or opportunity for meeting anyone, significant or otherwise, or to lay the foundations for a relationship.

SUCCESS WITH "SCHITT'S CREEK"

Dan's life had been consumed by "Schitt's Creek," but he's not complaining. Over its six-season run, the series has won 9 Emmys, 24 Canadian Screen Awards, 3 Directors Guild of Canada Awards, 1 MTV Movie & TV Award, 2 Television Critics Association Awards, and many more.

Dan became the first person to ever win a Primetime Emmy for every single major category -- producing, writing, directing, and acting -- in the same year, 2020, for the final season of "Schitt's Creek."

WHAT NEXT?

Ending "Schitt's Creek" was Dan's decision. He felt that the show's storyline had come to a natural end, and rather than having it peter out in season after season of dwindling ratings, he chose to call it a day and end on a high note.

But Dan is not going to be resting on his laurels. He revealed that during his time in confinement, he has been working on a series of brand new TV projects. Still, he hasn't dropped any hints as to their subject matter -- although if viewers expect any kind of reprisal of "Schitt's Creek" themes, they will be in for a disappointment. Dan Levy will continue to surprise, delight, and inspire in his own unique way.