Sam J. Levine's New Era: From Disney Animator To Showrunner Of MrBeast Lab

The career trajectory of Samuel John "Sam" Levine has taken a fascinating and highly relevant turn in the current digital landscape, solidifying his status as one of animation’s most versatile and influential figures. As of December 2025, the veteran animator, known for his deep roots at Disney and his recent co-directing role on the Warner Bros. hit *DC League of Super-Pets*, has pivoted to become the showrunner for the highly anticipated animated series, *MrBeast Lab*. This move from traditional Hollywood features to a major digital-native IP is a clear signal of the industry's evolving direction, placing Levine at the forefront of the new streaming and creator economy. This article provides an in-depth, updated look at Sam J. Levine's journey, detailing his foundational work as a storyboard artist and producer for major studios like Disney and Nickelodeon, his breakthrough as a co-director in feature films, and his current, boundary-pushing role leading a project for one of the world's biggest digital creators. His ability to seamlessly transition from the *Disney Renaissance* era to the modern digital age makes his story a compelling case study in professional evolution and topical authority in the animation world.

Sam J. Levine: Biography & Career Milestones

Samuel John "Sam" Levine is an American animator, director, writer, producer, and voice actor whose career spans over three decades, touching on some of the most iconic animated projects from the late 90s to the present day. His work is characterized by a blend of classic animation principles and modern, character-driven storytelling.

• Full Name: Samuel John Levine (Sam J. Levine)
• Born: November 8, 1973
• Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
• Education: Studied art history, film language, and animation, with an early focus on life drawing and screenwriting. He was noted as an NYU Animation student in the mid-90s.
• Primary Occupations: Animator, Storyboard Artist, Writer, Director, Producer, Showrunner.
• Major Career Milestones:
  • 1997: Began his career as an in-between artist for Disney’s *Hercules*.
  • 2012: Director and Storyboard Artist for the Nickelodeon series *Robot and Monster*.
  • 2014: Co-Creator, Executive Producer, and Director of the Disney XD series *Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero*.
  • 2022: Co-Director of the major Warner Bros. Pictures feature film, *DC League of Super-Pets*.
  • 2024/2025: Announced as Showrunner for the new animated series *MrBeast Lab*.

The Five Eras of Sam J. Levine's Animation Empire

Levine's career is a masterclass in adapting to the changing animation landscape. He has continuously evolved his role, moving from a technical artist to a creative visionary, making him an invaluable asset across multiple studios including Disney, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros.

Era 1: The Disney Renaissance Apprentice (The Animator)

Levine's professional journey began during the tail end of the celebrated Disney Renaissance. His foundational work was as an in-between artist on the 1997 animated feature *Hercules*, where he contributed to the animation of characters like Nessus and the Argons. This early experience provided him with a rigorous understanding of 2D animation principles, which he later applied as a storyboard artist on films like *Treasure Planet* and *Home on the Range*. His time as an animator and storyboard artist on features such as *Bolt*, *Disney's The Wild*, and *Gnomeo and Juliet* cemented his technical expertise in visual development and character design.

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Era 2: The Creator and Showrunner (The TV Visionary)

Transitioning into television, Levine moved from being an artist to a creative lead. This era saw him take on significant directorial and creative roles, most notably as the co-creator and executive producer of the Disney XD series *Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero*. The show, which ran from 2014 to 2017, was lauded for its imaginative premise, seeing a high school student step into various dimensions to fight evil. Prior to this, he directed 15 episodes of the Nickelodeon series *Robot and Monster*, a show he also developed the pilot for, demonstrating his early capacity for managing a full-scale animated production. He also contributed to the popular Disney Television Animation show *Star vs. the Forces of Evil*.

Era 3: The Feature Film Co-Director (The Hollywood Breakthrough)

The pinnacle of Levine's traditional Hollywood career came with the 2022 release of *DC League of Super-Pets*. He served as the co-director alongside Jared Stern on the animated feature, which starred A-list talent like Dwayne Johnson (as Krypto the Superdog) and Kevin Hart. This role was a major step up, requiring him to manage the full scope of a major theatrical release for Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Comics. The film’s success showcased his ability to handle large-scale CG animation, complex visual effects, and high-profile intellectual property, proving his directorial chops beyond the television sphere.

Era 4: The Voice Actor and Writer (The Versatile Artist)

Beyond the camera, Levine has a strong background in writing and voice acting, which further highlights his versatility. He was credited as a writer on *Home on the Range* and provided the voice for the Willie brothers in the same film, demonstrating his ability to shape characters both in script and performance. His deep understanding of storytelling—from the script stage to the final animated frame—is what allows him to excel in his directorial and showrunner roles, where he can guide a production with a holistic creative vision.

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Era 5: The Digital Frontier (The MrBeast Lab Showrunner)

The most surprising and current development in Levine's career is his appointment as the showrunner for *MrBeast Lab*. This new animated series is a collaboration with the massive digital creator MrBeast and is being produced by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, the Emmy-winning studio behind *Robot Chicken*. By taking on this role, Levine is not just making another show; he is bridging the gap between traditional Hollywood animation and the creator-driven, global-streaming economy. The series is set to stream on the Beast Animations channel, signaling a major shift in how established animation talent views and engages with new media platforms and audiences in 2025.

What's Next for the Animation Maestro?

Sam J. Levine's move to the *MrBeast Lab* project is arguably the most forward-thinking step of his career. It indicates a clear recognition that the future of animation lies in reaching audiences directly through platforms where they already consume content, rather than solely relying on traditional theatrical or cable releases.

His involvement with a high-profile, digital-native IP like MrBeast provides him with a unique opportunity to define the look, feel, and narrative structure of animation for a new generation of viewers. Leveraging his experience with Disney's detailed character design and his directorial experience on a major franchise like DC, Levine is perfectly positioned to deliver a high-quality, high-impact animated series that will resonate globally. Fans and industry observers alike are eagerly awaiting the release of *MrBeast Lab*, which will undoubtedly be a benchmark for how established animation professionals collaborate with the digital creator space.

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Levine’s continued evolution—from an in-between artist learning the trade to a co-director of a major Hollywood film, and now a showrunner for a digital titan—confirms his status as a dynamic force in the animation industry, always seeking the next frontier of visual storytelling.