Lev L. Spiro is an American film and television director. His TV episodic work includes multiple Emmy Award-winning shows such as ''

Modern Family ''Modern Family'' is an American family sitcom television series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan for the American Broadcasting Company. It ran for 11 seasons, from September 23, 2009, to April 8, 2020. It follows the lives of thr ...

'', '' Weeds'', ''

Arrested Development The term "arrested development" has had multiple meanings for over 200 years. In the field of medicine, the term "arrested development" was first used, ''circa'' 1835–1836, to mean a stoppage of physical development; the term continues to be use ...

'', ''

My Name Is Earl ''My Name Is Earl'' is an American television sitcom created by Greg Garcia that aired on the NBC television network from September 20, 2005, to May 14, 2009, in the United States. It was produced by 20th Century Fox Television and starred Jaso ...

'', ''

Ugly Betty ''Ugly Betty'' is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which was originally broadcast on ABC. It premiered on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian t ...

'', ''

Gilmore Girls ''Gilmore Girls'' is an American comedy-drama television series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore) and Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore). The show debuted on October 5, 2000, on The WB and became a flagshi ...

'', ''

Dawson's Creek ''Dawson's Creek'' is an American teen drama television series about the lives of a close-knit group of friends in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts, beginning in high school and continuing into college that ran from 1998 to 2003. T ...

'', ''

The O.C. ''The O.C. '' is an American teen drama television series created by Josh Schwartz that originally aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 22, 2007, running a total of four seaso ...

'' and ''

Everybody Hates Chris ''Everybody Hates Chris'' is an American television semi-autobiographical sitcom that is inspired by the memories of the teenage years of comedian Chris Rock. The show is set from 1982 to 1987, although Rock himself was actually a teenager from ...

''. His film directing includes the DGA Award nominated ''

Minutemen Minutemen were members of the organized New England colonial militia companies trained in weaponry, tactics, and military strategies during the American Revolutionary War. They were known for being ready at a minute's notice, hence the name. Mi ...

'', the Emmy Award-winning '' Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie'', and the Lionsgate feature '' Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland'' (2016).

Early life

Spiro earned dual bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Communication Arts from the

University of Wisconsin–Madison A university () is an educational institution, institution of higher education, higher (or Tertiary education, tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. Universities ty ...

. He then attended the

University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. With 40,916 undergraduate students, 11,075 ...

, where he received a master's degree in Film Production. His early work includes film adaptations of ''The Convict'', a short story by

James Lee Burke James Lee Burke (born December 5, 1936) is an American author, best known for his Dave Robicheaux series. He has won Edgar Awards for ''Black Cherry Blues'' (1990) and ''Cimarron Rose'' (1998), and has also been presented with the Grand Master ...

, and '' The Suicide Club'', a story by

Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson (born Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson; 13 November 1850 – 3 December 1894) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer. He is best known for works such as ''Treasure Island'', ''Strange Case of Dr Jekyll a ...

, which starred

Jonathan Pryce Sir Jonathan Pryce (born John Price; 1 June 1947) is a Welsh actor who is known for his performances on stage and in film and television. He has received numerous awards, including two Tony Awards and two Laurence Olivier Awards. In 2021 he wa ...

and

Paul Bettany Paul Bettany (born 27 May 1971) is an English actor. He is mostly known for his roles as J.A.R.V.I.S. and Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently starring in the Disney+ miniseries ''WandaVision'' (2021), for which he was nominated fo ...

Career

Since beginning his career, Spiro has directed over 150 drama and comedy episodes, pilots and features for network and cable television. Episodic television work includes multiple episodes of Showtime's '' Weeds'', ABC’s ''

'' and CW’s ''

'', as well as ''

'', ''

'' and many more. In 2008, Spiro directed the critically acclaimed family feature

, which garnered a

DGA Award The Directors Guild of America Awards are issued annually by the Directors Guild of America. The first DGA Award was an "Honorary Life Member" award issued in 1938 to D. W. Griffith. The statues are made by New York firm, Society Awards. Categ ...

nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs. In 2009 he directed '' Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie'' which won the

Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

Award for Outstanding Children's Program. More recently Spiro has directed episodes of Netflix's ''

Orange is the New Black ''Orange Is the New Black'' (sometimes abbreviated to ''OITNB'') is an American comedy-drama streaming television series created by Jenji Kohan for Netflix. The series is based on Piper Kerman's memoir '' Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Wo ...

'' and Amazon's ''

The Tick ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

''.

Personal life

Spiro is married to screenwriter/producer

Melissa Rosenberg Melissa Anne Rosenberg is an American television writer, television producer, and screenwriter. She has worked in both film and television and has won a Peabody Award. She has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards, and two Writers Guild of A ...

Directing credits

* ''

Dolly Parton's Heartstrings ''Dolly Parton's Heartstrings'', or simply ''Heartstrings'', is an American anthology dramedy streaming television series that premiered on November 22, 2019 on Netflix. Premise ''Dolly Parton's Heartstrings'' showcases "the stories, memories ...

'' (2019) * '' Insatiable'' (2018) * ''

'' (2017) * ''

Daytime Divas ''Daytime Divas'' is an American satirical comedy-drama television series developed by Amy and Wendy Engelberg for VH1. It is based on the 2011 book ''Satan's Sisters'' by former co-host of '' The View'' Star Jones. The show stars Vanessa Williams ...

'' (2017) * ''

Imaginary Mary ''Imaginary Mary'' is an American live-action/animated fantasy sitcom television series created by Adam F. Goldberg, David Guarascio and Patrick Osborne that aired on ABC from March 29 to May 30, 2017. The series is executive produced by the cre ...

'' (2017) * ''

Still the King ''Still the King'' is an American sitcom created by Travis Nicholson, Potsy Ponciroli and Billy Ray Cyrus. The series stars Billy Ray Cyrus, Joey Lauren Adams, Madison Iseman, Travis Nicholson, Lacey Chabert and Leslie David Baker. The series ...

'' (2016–17) * '' Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland'' (2016) * ''

'' (2015) * ''

UnREAL Unreal may refer to: Books and TV * ''Unreal'' (short story collection), a 1985 book of short stories by Paul Jennings * ''Unreal'' (TV series), a 2015 television drama series on Lifetime Computing and games * ''Unreal'' (video game series), ...

'' (2015) * '' The Neighbors'' (2014) * ''

'' (2013) * ''

Betas ''Betas'' is an American streaming television series that was produced by Amazon Studios. The show starred Joe Dinicol and Karan Soni as "dating app" developers in Silicon Valley who are looking for an investor. Amazon offered the first three e ...

'' (2013) * ''

Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 ''Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23'' is an American television sitcom created by Nahnatchka Khan and starring Krysten Ritter that aired on ABC for two seasons from April 11, 2012 to January 15, 2013 and July 19 to September 6, 2014. Original ...

'' (2012) * '' Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta!'' (2012) * ''

Jane by Design ''Jane by Design'' is an American comedy-drama television series on ABC Family. The series follows the life of Jane Quimby ( Erica Dasher), a teenager who is mistaken for an adult, as she finally gets her fashion dream job working with a world-fa ...

'' (Pilot) (2011) * '' Are We There Yet?'' (2011) * ''

Supah Ninjas ''Supah Ninjas'' is an American action superhero teen sitcom, created by Leo Chu and Eric Garcia. The series aired on Nickelodeon from January 17, 2011, to April 27, 2013. It ran for 2 seasons. The first season was filmed in Los Angeles and the ...

'' (2011) * '' Glory Daze'' (2010) * '' Blue Mountain State'' (2010) * '' Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie'' (2009) * ''

Jonas Jonas may refer to: Geography * Jonas, Netherlands, Netherlands * Jonas, Pennsylvania, United States * Jonas Ridge, North Carolina, United States People with the name * Jonas (name), people with the given name or surname Jonas * Jonas, one of ...

'' (2009) * ''

'' (2008) * ''

'' (2008) * '' Weeds'' (2007) * ''

'' (2007) * ''

Dirt Dirt is an unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions. In such cases, they are said to become dirty. Common types of dirt include: * Debris: scattered pieces of waste or remains * Dust: a genera ...

'' (2007) * ''

Psych ''Psych'' is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks for USA Network. The series stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observ ...

'' (2006) * ''

Pepper Dennis ''Pepper Dennis'' is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on The WB from April 4 to July 4, 2006. It was announced on May 17, 2006 that ''Pepper Dennis'' would not be one of the WB shows transferred to The CW. ''Pepper Dennis'' w ...

'' (2006) * ''

'' (2005) * ''

'' (2005) * '' Point Pleasant'' (2005) * '' Summerland'' (Pilot) (2004) * ''

''(2004) * ''

One Tree Hill One Tree Hill may refer to: * "One Tree Hill" (song), a 1987 song by U2 referencing One Tree Hill, New Zealand volcanic peak * ''One Tree Hill'' (TV series), a 2003–2012 American drama series named for the U2 song ** ''One Tree Hill'' (soundtr ...

'' (2004) * ''

Everwood ''Everwood'' (known as ''Our New Life in Everwood'' in the United Kingdom) is an American drama television series created by Greg Berlanti. Berlanti, Mickey Liddell, Rina Mimoun, Andrew A. Ackerman and Michael Green served as executive producer ...

'' (2003) * ''

Do Over ''Do Over'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series created by Kenny Schwartz and Rick Wiener about a man who gets a chance to relive his childhood. The series, which was originally broadcast on The WB from September 19 to December 5, 200 ...

'' (Pilot) (2002) * ''

'' (2001) * ''

Popular Popularity or social status is the quality of being well liked, admired or well known to a particular group. Popular may also refer to: In sociology * Popular culture * Popular fiction * Popular music * Popular science * Populace, the total ...

'' (2000) * '' Arli$$'' (2000) * ''

The Jersey ''The Jersey'' is an American comedy television series based on the '' Monday Night Football Club'' books by Gordon Korman. The series aired on Disney Channel from January 30, 1999, to March 23, 2004. Premise Nick Lighter, Morgan Hudson, Colem ...

'' (Pilot) (1999) * ''

Cousin Skeeter ''Cousin Skeeter'' is an American children's sitcom, that originally aired on Nickelodeon from 1998 to 2001. It starred Robert Ri'chard as Bobby, a young boy whose life changed when his strange cousin Skeeter came to live with his family. With Sk ...

'' (1998) * ''Welcome to Planet Earth'' (1996)

Awards and nominations

* OFTA Awards (2013) ''Best Direction in a Comedy Series'', for

Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

(2010) ''Outstanding Children's Program'', for Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie *

Image Award The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature. Similar to ...

Nomination (2010) ''Outstanding Children's Program'', for Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie *

Nomination (2009) ''Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs'', for

* OFTA Awards (2002) ''Best Direction in a Comedy Series'', for

Young Artist Awards The Young Artist Award (originally known as the Youth in Film Award) is an accolade presented by the Young Artist Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to honor excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young ...

(2000) ''Best Performance in a TV Series - Young Ensemble'', for

GLAAD Media Award The GLAAD Media Award is an accolade bestowed by GLAAD to recognize and honor various branches of the media for their outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their live ...

(2000) ''Outstanding TV Individual Episode'' for

'' Wild Wild Mess''

References

External links

www.levlspiro.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spiro, Lev L American film directors American television directors American television writers American male television writers Living people University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Letters and Science alumni Place of birth missing (living people) Year of birth missing (living people)