Chamber of Commerce Names Eugene Levy Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Following a historic night at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, Eugene Levy has garnered another nomination: honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades.

Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Sarah Knauer and President & CEO Bob Benton confirmed on Monday, September 21, that Levy, a resident of the Alphabet Streets when he is not in Canada, would be taking over for Co-Honorary Mayors Billy and Janice Crystal.

“I’m just thrilled that Eugene Levy is going to be our mayor,” Benton shared, adding that he is a movie buff and appreciates all of Levy’s work—spanning from “American Pie” to “Best in Show.”

Knauer touched on the fact that Levy’s decades-long career reaches multiple generations, and how “it’s really amazing” to see him and his son, Daniel, create “Schitt’s Creek,” a show “that was so funny and heartwarming and poignant and touches on so many topics that are so important.”

Levy, who created, wrote and executive produced the show, also starred as Johnny Rose during its six-season run from 2015-20.

On Sunday, September 20, Levy took home two Emmy Awards for “Schitt’s Creek”: Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The show swept all seven major comedy categories, a feat that has been described as unprecedented.

“As a dad, getting to work on camera for six years with both my kids, Daniel and Sarah … such a joy, love you both and could not be prouder,” Levy said while accepting the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Award. “That brings me to my multi-Emmy-nominated partner who took our show that we came up with and brilliantly guided it to this little Emmy party tonight, so thank you, son. Thank you, Academy, and to my fellow Emmy nominees: It was an honor to be in your company.”

Levy also recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival and two Canadian Screen Awards.

Benton made that point that Levy’s career has been so prolific, his long career in television and film made him worthy of the honorary mayor title even before “Schitt’s Creek”—but that the show marks the icing on the cake.

Levy will be taking over for the Crystals, who served as co-honorary mayors for two-plus years, beginning in January 2018.

Though COVID-19 has disrupted many typical mayoral duties, including participating in the annual Fourth of July Parade, the Crystals left big shoes to fill: They attended and spoke at many events during the course of their mayorship, including the Pacific Palisades Spelling Bee, the grand opening of Palisades Village in September 2018 and many holiday-time gatherings.

Naming an honorary mayor of the Palisades has been a tradition within the community dating back to 1951 with Virginia Bruce serving first. Levy, who will serve as honorary mayor for two years, joins a list that includes names like Adam West, Bob Saget, Martin Short, Vivian Vance, Sugar Ray Leonard and more.