Zach Galifianakis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zach Galifianakis
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![]() Galifianakis in 2012
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Born |
Zachary Knight Galifianakis
October 1, 1969 |
Education | Wilkes Community College North Carolina State University |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1996–present |
Spouse(s) |
Quinn Lundberg
(m. 2012) |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Nick Galifianakis (uncle) Nick Galifianakis (cousin) |
Zachary Knight Galifianakis (born October 1, 1969) is an American actor and comedian. He is famous for playing Alan in The Hangover movies (2009–2013).
On TV, he starred in the show Baskets (2016–2019). He was even nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in 2017. Zach also hosted a funny talk show called Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis (2008–2018).
Some of his other movies include Due Date (2010), The Campaign (2012), and Birdman (2014). He has also lent his voice to characters in animated films. These include Puss in Boots (2011), The Lego Batman Movie (2017), and Ron's Gone Wrong (2021).
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Early Life and Education
Zachary Knight Galifianakis was born in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This was on October 1, 1969. His mom, Mary Frances, directed a community arts center. His dad, Harry, sold heating oil.
Zach's mom's family came from Scotland and Ireland. His dad's parents were Greek immigrants from Crete. Zach was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church. He has a younger sister, Merritt, and an older brother, Greg. His cousin, Nick Galifianakis, is a cartoonist. His uncle, also named Nick Galifianakis, was a lawyer and politician.
Zach went to Wilkes Central High School. He then attended Wilkes Community College. Later, he studied communications at North Carolina State University. While in college, he worked at a public access TV station.
Zach's Career Journey
Starting Out in Comedy
Zach Galifianakis first appeared on TV in a show called Boston Common. He also worked on Saturday Night Live for a short time. He once tried to explain a funny sketch idea to Britney Spears. She just stared at him and then said, "Yeah, that's funny."
Zach appeared in several movies early in his career. These included Out Cold and Bubble Boy.
In 2001, he had his own comedy special on Comedy Central Presents. He did stand-up comedy and played the piano. He even had a singing group called The Night Owls. In 2002, he hosted his own talk show on VH1 called Late World with Zach. He often had his friends from the comedy scene on the show.
Zach also played Davis in the TV series Tru Calling. He appeared many times on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He also played funny characters in shows like Dog Bites Man and The Sarah Silverman Program.
In 2006, Zach was in Fiona Apple's music video for "Not About Love." The next year, he appeared in Kanye West's music video for "Can't Tell Me Nothing."
Zach was part of a comedy group called The Comedians of Comedy. They performed in rock clubs to reach new audiences. Their shows were filmed for a TV series and a movie. In 2008, Zach starred in his first main movie role in Visioneers. His 2006 stand-up special, Zach Galifianakis Live at the Purple Onion, was one of the first original shows on Netflix.
Between Two Ferns

Zach has a popular online video series called Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis. In these videos, he interviews famous people. He sits between two potted ferns, which makes it look funny.
He has interviewed many big stars, including Jimmy Kimmel, Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, and even former President Barack Obama. His interviews are known for being awkward and hilarious. He asks strange questions and sometimes makes funny comments. Zach won an Emmy Award for this show in 2014.
Big Movie and TV Roles
Zach Galifianakis became very famous for his role as Alan Garner in the comedy movie The Hangover. He won an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for this role. After The Hangover, he was featured in other movies like G-Force and Up in the Air.
He also starred in the HBO series Bored to Death. Zach hosted Saturday Night Live three times. During one show, he shaved his beard for a sketch!
In 2010, he was in several movies. These included Dinner for Schmucks, It's Kind of a Funny Story, and Due Date. He returned as Alan in The Hangover Part II in 2011. He also voiced Humpty Dumpty in the animated movie Puss in Boots.
Zach starred with Will Ferrell in the 2012 comedy The Campaign. He also received great reviews for his acting in the 2014 movie Birdman. In 2017, he voiced The Joker in The Lego Batman Movie. In 2023, he joined the live-action movie of Lilo & Stitch as the voice of Jumba.
Giving Back
Zach Galifianakis is known for his kindness. He became friends with Marie "Mimi" Haist, an elderly homeless woman. She had lived in a laundromat for 18 years. Zach bought her an apartment right across from the laundromat. Her story was shared in a 2015 movie called Queen Mimi.
Personal Life
In August 2012, Zach Galifianakis married Quinn Lundberg. She works for a charity in Canada. They got married at a farm in Vancouver. They have two sons. One was born in September 2013, and the other in November 2016. Zach even missed the premiere of his movie Are You Here to be there for his first son's birth.
Zach has a house in Venice, Los Angeles. He also owns a farm in Sparta, North Carolina. He spends his time between his farm and his work. He says his farm helps him think clearly. He also lives on an island in British Columbia, Canada.
Zach's Movies and TV Shows
Zach Galifianakis has been in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of his notable works:
- Movies: The Hangover trilogy (Alan Garner), Due Date (Ethan Tremblay), The Campaign (Marty Huggins), Birdman (Jake), Masterminds (David Ghantt), Keeping Up with the Joneses (Jeff Gaffney), A Wrinkle in Time (The Happy Medium), The Beanie Bubble (Ty Warner).
- Voice Roles in Movies: Puss in Boots (Humpty Dumpty), The Lego Batman Movie (The Joker), Missing Link (Mr. Link/Susan), Ron's Gone Wrong (Ron), The Bob's Burgers Movie (Felix Fischoeder), and the upcoming Lilo & Stitch (Jumba).
- TV Shows: Tru Calling (Davis), Dog Bites Man (Alan Finger), Bored to Death (Ray Hueston), Saturday Night Live (host), Bob's Burgers (voice of Chet/Felix), and Baskets (Chip and Dale Baskets).
- Web Series: Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis (host).
Awards and Recognitions
Zach Galifianakis has won several awards for his acting and comedy.
- He won an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for The Hangover in 2010.
- He won a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble for Birdman in 2015.
- He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Birdman in 2015.
- For his web series Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, he won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program in 2014 and 2015. He also won two Streamy Awards for the show.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Zach Galifianakis para niños