Dan Levy's Regrettable Day: Turning Down the Role of Ken in Barbie (Exclusive)

Dan Levy, often recognized as David Rose from the hit show Schitt’s Creek, reflects on the fame and challenges that came with his iconic character. The show, a pandemic sensation that dominated the 2020 Emmys, catapulted Levy into the realms of style and memes, with his TV sister's infamous line, "Ew, David," still echoing in the streets.

 

While Levy appreciates the enduring connection people have with David Rose, he embraces the occasional mix-up. "If you create something that lives with people to the point where they forget who you are, I will never take offense to that," he affirms.

 

In an exclusive revelation, the 40-year-old actor discloses that he was on the verge of playing another iconic role – one of the Kens in the highly anticipated 2023 Barbie blockbuster. Unfortunately, he had to decline the offer due to scheduling conflicts.

 

"Logistically, I could not make it work despite desperately trying to," Levy explains. "So, yeah, I guess I was technically unavailable to do that."

 

Expressing his admiration for Barbie director Greta Gerwig, Levy praises her wonderfully bizarre and magical aesthetic vision for the film. "I would have loved to play in her world. I think she is one of the great, young auteurs of our time."

 

Despite his genuine admiration, Levy confesses to feeling the real and lingering FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). "Does it haunt me when I sleep at night? Sometimes. It’s not like it isn’t one of the biggest movies of all time. That was a tough day," he recalls.

 

In contrast to his iconic TV role, Levy's new film, Good Grief, showcases a different dimension of his talent. As the writer, director, and star, Levy takes audiences beyond the absurdity of Schitt’s Creek, delving into the shadows of grief. The film follows an artist coping with the death of his husband (played by Luke Evans) through a trip to Paris with his two best friends.

 

"As someone who’s single a lot, your friends are the loves of your life," Levy shares. "The friends I have are lifers. I love them dearly, to the point where I wrote a movie about that love and how it can save us in the hardest of times."

 

Good Grief is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship.