Andrew DeYoung (director)

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Andrew DeYoung
Andrew DeYoung at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg
DeYoung in 2024
Born1981-1982
Alma mater California State University, Northridge
OccupationsDirector, screenwriter, producer
Years active2009-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]

Contents

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

YearTitleNotes
2024 Friendship Also writer

Television

YearTitleNotes
2016 John Glaser Loves Gear 10 episodes
20175555 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 EarlyTelevision special
2022-2023 Our Flag Means Death 4 episodes
2024 The Decameron 2 episodes
2025 The Chair Company 5 episodes, also executive producer

References

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. 1 2 VanArendonk, Kathryn (2022-06-27). "Welcome Back to John Early and Kate Berlant's Absurd Duet". Vulture. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  3. 1 2 "Deep Dive with Andrew DeYoung". NoBudge. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. 1 2 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.
  6. ↑ Molloy, Tim (2025-06-05). "Friendship Director Andrew DeYoung on the 'Primal' Comedy of Male Loneliness". www.moviemaker.com. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  7. ↑ "ANDREW DEYOUNG creator of A24's 'Friendship' reflects on growing up in Fresno's hardcore scene". lambgoat.com. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  8. ↑ 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)
  9. ↑ Kolberg, Brad (2025-05-30). "In new film 'Friendship,' director Andrew DeYoung plumbs the depths of being buddies". WPR. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  10. ↑ Nevins, Jake (2025-03-20). "Director Andrew DeYoung on Terrence Malick, Marvel Fandom, and Male Loneliness". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  11. ↑ "Andrew DeYoung—Director—CHROMISTA". www.chromista.tv. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  12. ↑ Greene, Dan (2025-05-26). "Should Men Even Have Friends?". The New Yorker. ISSN   0028-792X . Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  13. ↑ Gularte, Alejandra (2025-04-07). "Friendship Came Full Circle for Director Andrew DeYoung". Vulture. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  14. ↑ Graham, Adam. "Q&A: 'Friendship' director Andrew DeYoung talks working with Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  15. ↑ "We Relate: Andrew DeYoung on "Friendship" | Interviews | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  16. ↑ 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.
  17. ↑ Grobar, Matt (2024-02-02). "Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd & Kate Mara Join 'Friendship' Comedy". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  18. ↑ Pond, Steve (2024-09-15). "'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". TheWrap. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  19. ↑ Jr, Mike Fleming (2024-09-16). "A24 Landing TIFF Title 'Friendship' For Mid-7 Figures". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ "Tim Robinson Fanatics Will Love His Bonkers New Comedy". The Daily Beast. 2025-10-09. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
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