Andrew DeYoung (director)
Andrew DeYoung | |
|---|---|
DeYoung in 2024 | |
| Born | 1981-1982 |
| Alma mater | California State University, Northridge |
| Occupations | Director, screenwriter, producer |
| Years active | 2009-present |
Andrew DeYoung is an American director, screenwriter, and producer. His television directorial credits include episodes of series such as Shrill (2019-2021), Pen15 (2019-2021), Our Flag Means Death (2022-2023), and The Chair Company (2025-present).[1] DeYoung co-wrote and directed the variety special Would It Kill You to Laugh?, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.[2] His frequent collaborators include Kate Berlant, John Early, and Tim Robinson.[3]
In 2024, DeYoung wrote and directed his feature film debut, Friendship, which was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award and an Independent Spirit Award.[4][5]
Early life and education
DeYoung was born in 1981 or 1982,[6] and raised in Fresno, California.[7] He studied screenwriting at California State University, Northridge and graduated in 2005.[8]
DeYoung is inspired by filmmaker Terrence Malick,[9] who wrote a heartwarming letter to DeYoung before Friendship's SXSW premiere.[10]
Career
DeYoung began his directing career after college, and met comedians John Early and Kate Berlant in improv classes.[3] He directed Early and Berlant in the short film Santa Monica and the Emmy-nominated special Would It Kill You to Laugh?.[2] DeYoung continued directing episodes of various comedic television series.[11]
DeYoung thought of the idea for Friendship after a negative experience with a colleague.[12][13] DeYoung decided on casting his friend Tim Robinson while writing the film's screenplay,[14] whom he had first met at the wedding of Conner O'Malley and Aidy Bryant, the former of which also appears in Friendship.[15] The film was shot in Yonkers, New York, with actors Kate Mara and Paul Rudd joining the main cast.[16][17] The film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and was the second runner up for the People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness.[18] A24 acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film,[19] and the film was theatrically released on May 9, 2025.[20] It was positively reviewed and went on to be nominated for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy and the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.[4][5]
In 2025, DeYoung continuted his collaboration with Robinson by directing multiple episodes and serving as an executive producer on The Chair Company, starring and co-written by Robinson, with DeYoung's direction being positively reviewed by critics.[1][21]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Friendship | Also writer |
Television
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | John Glaser Loves Gear | 10 episodes |
| 2017 | 555 | 5 episodes |
| Man Seeking Woman | 2 episodes | |
| 2018-2019 | A.P. Bio | 3 episodes |
| 2019 | The Other Two | |
| 2020 | Dave | |
| 2019-2021 | Shrill | 6 episodes |
| Pen15 | ||
| 2021 | Miracle Workers | 3 episodes |
| 2022 | I Love That for You | 2 episodes |
| Would It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early | Television special | |
| 2022-2023 | Our Flag Means Death | 4 episodes |
| 2024 | The Decameron | 2 episodes |
| 2025 | The Chair Company | 5 episodes, also executive producer |
References
- ^ a b Seale, Jack (2025-10-13). "The Chair Company review – an office rage comedy packed with massive, stupid laughs". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ a b VanArendonk, Kathryn (2022-06-27). "Welcome Back to John Early and Kate Berlant's Absurd Duet". Vulture. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ a b "Deep Dive with Andrew DeYoung". NoBudge. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ a b Davis, Clayton (2025-12-05). "Critics Choice Awards Nominations: 'Sinners' Dominates With 17 Noms, Cynthia Erivo Snubbed for 'Wicked: For Good'". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (2025-12-03). "Spirit Awards Nominations: 'Train Dreams', 'The Plague', 'Sorry, Baby', 'Twinless' & 'Peter Hujar's Day' In Best Feature Race". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Molloy, Tim (2025-06-05). "Friendship Director Andrew DeYoung on the 'Primal' Comedy of Male Loneliness". www.moviemaker.com. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "ANDREW DEYOUNG creator of A24's 'Friendship' reflects on growing up in Fresno's hardcore scene". lambgoat.com. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Relations, University; University, Advancement © California State; Street, Northridge 18111 Nordhoff; Northridge; Us, CA 91330 Phone:677-1200 / Contact (2025-06-06). "Friendship Director Andrew DeYoung on the 'Primal' Comedy of Male Loneliness". California State University, Northridge. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Kolberg, Brad (2025-05-30). "In new film 'Friendship,' director Andrew DeYoung plumbs the depths of being buddies". WPR. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Nevins, Jake (2025-03-20). "Director Andrew DeYoung on Terrence Malick, Marvel Fandom, and Male Loneliness". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "Andrew DeYoung—Director—CHROMISTA". www.chromista.tv. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Greene, Dan (2025-05-26). "Should Men Even Have Friends?". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Gularte, Alejandra (2025-04-07). "Friendship Came Full Circle for Director Andrew DeYoung". Vulture. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Graham, Adam. "Q&A: 'Friendship' director Andrew DeYoung talks working with Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "We Relate: Andrew DeYoung on "Friendship" | Interviews | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (2025-05-09). "'Friendship' Director Andrew DeYoung on Shooting His Tim Robinson Cringe Comedy with 'High-Arthouse Aesthetics'". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (2024-02-02). "Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd & Kate Mara Join 'Friendship' Comedy". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Pond, Steve (2024-09-15). "'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". TheWrap. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Jr, Mike Fleming (2024-09-16). "A24 Landing TIFF Title 'Friendship' For Mid-7 Figures". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ Zemler, Emily (2025-02-11). "Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd Want to Ruin Each Other's Lives in 'Friendship' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "Tim Robinson Fanatics Will Love His Bonkers New Comedy". The Daily Beast. 2025-10-09. Retrieved 2025-12-06.