Jerry Levitan
Encyclopedia
Gerald Asher Levitan is a Canadian best known as "the kid who interviewed John Lennon". He produced and starred in the animated short I Met the Walrus
about his meeting with John Lennon
and Yoko Ono
in Toronto
, Canada in 1969. Though only 14 years old, Levitan conducted an exclusive 40 minute interview with them about peace, The Beatles
, and their music.
The film won a Daytime Emmy in 2009 in the category of New Approaches, Daytime Entertainment. It was also nominated for an Oscar Award in 2008 for best animated short
, and won Best Animated at the Manhattan Short Film Festival, the American Film Festival and the Middle East International Film Festival. He is the author of the autobiographical I Met The Walrus released May 2009 by Harper Collins. It is the account of Levitan's childhood and love for the Beatles, and traces in detail the day he spent with John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
In July 2011 Levitan's latest animated film, Yoko Ono's My Hometown had its world premier at the Without Borders (Senza Frontiere) Film Festival in Spoleto, Italy to widespread acclaim. Levitan co-produced and directed the film with Terry Tompkins of The Eggplant Collective. Yoko Ono narrated her poem and provided her Remember Love song which was the B-Side to Give Peace A Chance, for the soundtrack.
in Toronto and a LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School
at York University
1979, and has been involved throughout his career with high profile legal cases. He is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Winning Everyday Legal Hassles in Canada (ISBN 0-13-575150-0).
Levitan is also an actor with roles in a string of Canadian and international films and television series, including a guest appearance in The West Wing, and one of Canada's pre-eminent children's entertainers. Performing under his alter-ego Sir Jerry and backed by a full band of rock musicians and performers, he has produced three CDs, "Bees, Butterflies & Bugs", "Sir Jerry's World", and "Time Machine" (released in June 2009). A television series based upon the Sir Jerry character is now in the works and set to debut in 2010.
I Met the Walrus
I Met the Walrus is an animated film directed by Josh Raskin and produced by Jerry Levitan. The film stars Levitan and John Lennon. The film's pen illustration is by James Braithwaite and computer illustration is by Alex Kurina.The film is based on an interview of John Lennon by Jerry Levitan in...
about his meeting with John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada in 1969. Though only 14 years old, Levitan conducted an exclusive 40 minute interview with them about peace, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, and their music.
The film won a Daytime Emmy in 2009 in the category of New Approaches, Daytime Entertainment. It was also nominated for an Oscar Award in 2008 for best animated short
Academy Award for Animated Short Film
The Academy Award for Animated Short Film is an award which has been given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as part of the Academy Awards every year since the 5th Academy Awards, covering the year 1931-32, to the present....
, and won Best Animated at the Manhattan Short Film Festival, the American Film Festival and the Middle East International Film Festival. He is the author of the autobiographical I Met The Walrus released May 2009 by Harper Collins. It is the account of Levitan's childhood and love for the Beatles, and traces in detail the day he spent with John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
In July 2011 Levitan's latest animated film, Yoko Ono's My Hometown had its world premier at the Without Borders (Senza Frontiere) Film Festival in Spoleto, Italy to widespread acclaim. Levitan co-produced and directed the film with Terry Tompkins of The Eggplant Collective. Yoko Ono narrated her poem and provided her Remember Love song which was the B-Side to Give Peace A Chance, for the soundtrack.
Biography
Levitan graduated with a B.A. from York UniversityYork University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
in Toronto and a LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
1979, and has been involved throughout his career with high profile legal cases. He is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Winning Everyday Legal Hassles in Canada (ISBN 0-13-575150-0).
Levitan is also an actor with roles in a string of Canadian and international films and television series, including a guest appearance in The West Wing, and one of Canada's pre-eminent children's entertainers. Performing under his alter-ego Sir Jerry and backed by a full band of rock musicians and performers, he has produced three CDs, "Bees, Butterflies & Bugs", "Sir Jerry's World", and "Time Machine" (released in June 2009). A television series based upon the Sir Jerry character is now in the works and set to debut in 2010.