Trivia

During an interview with comedian Gilbert Gottfried at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, Levinson recounted that he first became involved with show business in 1968, when he reluctantly accompanied his friend George to an acting class. As Levinson became more and more interested in the class, his friend's interest waned and the two eventually lost touch when Levinson relocated to be closer to the film and television industry. He had no idea what became of George until he saw the film, Blow (2001), in which he learned that his friend, portrayed by Johnny Depp, became the largest cocaine dealer in America. The two reconnected following Jung's 2015 release from prison, when Jung recounted watching Levinson at the Oscars during his incarceration.

Since 1991, has been working on a documentary about the friends he grew up with in Baltimore in the 1950s.

His films often take place in the past: Diner (1982); The Natural (1984) ; Good Morning, Vietnam (1987); Bugsy (1991); Avalon (1990); Sleepers (1996) and An Everlasting Piece (2000).

Directed 6 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Glenn Close, Warren Beatty, Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley, Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams. Hoffman won an Oscar for his performance in Levinson's Rain Man (1988).

Father of actor, writer, director Sam Levinson and Jack Levinson.

Attended the same high school (Forest Park in Baltimore) as ''Mama' Cass Elliot' and Spiro Agnew.

Met and interviewed the late John Lennon in New York City, in 1980.

Wife Diana is a painter.

His parents were both of Russian Jewish descent.

As of 2019, he appeared as an actor in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Rain Man (1988), Bugsy (1991) and Quiz Show (1994). Of those, Rain Man (1988) is a winner in the category and Levinson won an Oscar as Best Director.

Graduated from Forest Park High School in the Forest Park neighborhood of Baltimore: other famous alumni from Forest Park High School include former U.S. vice president Spiro Agnew, actor Thomas Beck and actress Margaret Hayes.

For the AFI publication "Private Screenings" Levinson chose Karl Freund The Mummy (1932) as his favorite film.

Nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special category for Paterno (2018), but lost to Ryan Murphy for The Man Who Would Be Vogue (2018).

Has homes in southern California, Connecticut, New York and Annapolis, Maryland.

Stepfather of Michelle Levinsonand Patrick Levinson.

Has directed one Emmy Award-winning performance: Al Pacino in You Don't Know Jack (2010).

Living in New York and Connecticut.

Jason Croot was screen tested for Barry Levinson in 2008.