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). DeYoung co-wrote and directed the variety special Would It Kill You to Laugh?, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. His frequent collaborators include Kate Berlant, John Early, and Tim Robinson.
In 2024, DeYoung wrote and directed his feature film debut, Friendship, which was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award and an Independent Spirit Award.
Early life and education DeYoung was born in 1981 or 1982, and raised in Fresno, California. He studied screenwriting at California State University, Northridge and graduated in 2005.
DeYoung is inspired by filmmaker Terrence Malick, who wrote a heartwarming letter to DeYoung before Friendship's SXSW premiere.
Career DeYoung began his directing career after college, and met comedians John Early and Kate Berlant in improv classes. He directed Early and Berlant in the short film Santa Monica and the Emmy-nominated special Would It Kill You to Laugh?. DeYoung continued directing episodes of various comedic television series.
DeYoung thought of the idea for Friendship after a negative experience with a colleague. DeYoung decided on casting his friend Tim Robinson while writing the film's screenplay, whom he had first met at the wedding of Conner O'Malley and Aidy Bryant, the former of which also appears in Friendship. The film was shot in Yonkers, New York, with actors Kate Mara and Paul Rudd joining the main cast. 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. A24 acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, and the film was theatrically released on May 9, 2025. 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.
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.
Filmography
Film YearTitleNotes2024FriendshipAlso writer
Television YearTitleNotes2016John Glaser Loves Gear10 episodes20175555 episodesMan Seeking Woman2 episodes2018-2019A.P. Bio3 episodes2019The Other Two2020Dave2019-2021Shrill6 episodesPen152021Miracle Workers3 episodes2022I Love That for You2 episodesWould It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early Television special2022-2023Our Flag Means Death4 episodes2024The Decameron2 episodes2025The Chair Company5 episodes, also executive producer2026Widow's Bay2 episodes
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryTitleResult2026Film Independent Spirit AwardsBest First ScreenplayFriendship2017Gotham AwardsBreakthrough Series – Short Form5552026Breakthrough Comedy SeriesThe Chair Company2023Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Writing for a Variety SpecialWould It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early2026Outstanding Directing for a Comedy SeriesThe Chair Company
References