Zach Knight Galifianakis American actor and stand-up comedian Date of Birth: 01.10.1969 Country: USA

1. Zach Galifianakis
2. Early Life
3. Education and Career Beginnings
4. Film and Television Breakthrough
5. Other Projects
6. Recent Work
7. Personal Life

Zach Galifianakis

Zacharias Knight "Zach" Galifianakis (born October 1, 1969) is an American actor and comedian. His film and television roles have earned him mainstream success, but he began as an underground comedian.

Early Life

Galifianakis was born in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to Harry Galifianakis, a Greek-born diesel fuel salesman, and Mary Cashion Francis, who directed a local arts center. He was raised Greek Orthodox and has a younger sister named Merritt and an older brother named Greg. His uncle, Nick Galifianakis, served as a U.S. congressman from 1967 to 1973.

Education and Career Beginnings

Galifianakis attended Wilkes Central High School and North Carolina State University, where he majored in communications. His television career began in 1996 with a small role in the NBC sitcom "Boston Common." He later became a writer for "Saturday Night Live" for a brief period.

Film and Television Breakthrough

Galifianakis gained prominence in mainstream films with roles in the comedies "The Hangover" (2009) and "Due Date" (2010), both directed by Todd Phillips. He also starred in the 2009 sports comedy "Out Cold" and had minor roles in "Corky Romano," "Below," and "Bubble Boy."

In television, he received his own episode of "Comedy Central Presents" in 2001, where he performed stand-up comedy, played piano, and featured an a cappella group of his twelve ex-girlfriends singing while he cracked jokes. He hosted his own talk show, "Late World with Zach," in 2002 and played investigator Davis in the drama series "Tru Calling" from 2003 to 2005.

Other Projects

Galifianakis has appeared in music videos for Fiona Apple's "Not About Love" in 2006 and a second version of Kanye West's "Can't Tell Me Nothing" with indie rock musician Will Oldham the following year. In 2006, he released his own single, "Come Over and Get It (Up in 'Dem Guts)," a comedic rap/hip-hop dance song featuring vocals from Apple.

He has hosted "Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis" on the comedy website Funny or Die, where he interviews celebrities in an unconventional style.

Recent Work

Galifianakis has continued to appear in films such as "G-Force," "Youth in Revolt," "Up in the Air," and "Bored to Death." He hosted "Saturday Night Live" on March 6, 2010, and shaved his beard on set for a sketch.

In 2010, he starred in "Dinner for Schmucks," "It's Kind of a Funny Story," and "Due Date." He reprised his role in the sequel "The Hangover Part II."

Personal Life

Galifianakis is in a relationship with Quinn Lundberg, a co-founder of the charity Growing Voices.