Zach Galifianakis
Born 1969 · Age 56
American actor, comedian, writer and producer best known for Alan in The Hangover trilogy and host/creator of Between Two Ferns. Winner of multiple Emmys, SAG Awards and Critics' Choice honors.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Zachary Knight Galifianakis was born to Mary Frances (community arts center director) and Harry Galifianakis (heating oil vendor).
Approx. high school graduation (Wilkes Central High School)
Attended Wilkes Central High School in Wilkes County, NC (year estimated based on birth year).
Attended Wilkes Community College
Attended Wilkes Community College prior to attending NC State University (exact years not specified; year is an estimate).
Studied communications at North Carolina State University
Majored in communications at NC State (attended after community college).
Taught a waltz class and met Mary J. Blige
Taught a waltz class in 1991 where he crossed paths with Mary J. Blige.
Left college and moved to New York City (approx.)
Reportedly moved to New York City after failing his last college class by one point; year is approximate/inferred from biographical notes.
Television debut on Boston Common
Made TV debut playing Bobby on Boston Common (1996–1997, 5 episodes).
Appeared in Apartment 2F
Played 'Zach' in the short/series Apartment 2F (1997).
Film role in Flushed
Appeared in the film Flushed (credited Pathetic Guy).
Roles in several 2001 films (Out Cold, Corky Romano, Bubble Boy, Heartbreakers)
Co-starred in Out Cold and had small roles in Corky Romano, Bubble Boy, Heartbreakers (2001).
Comedy Central Presents appearance
Appeared in an episode of Comedy Central Presents featuring stand-up, a piano segment, and a cappella bit (Sept 2001).
Hosted VH1's Late World with Zach
Hosted his own VH1 talk show Late World with Zach (36 episodes), showcasing LA Largo performers and peers.
Wrote and piloted 'Next!' and Speed Freaks pilots (Comedy Central pilot work)
Credited with pilot work and writing for small-comedy pilots including a Speed Freaks pilot (exact pilot dates mid-2000s).
Cast as Davis on Tru Calling
Played Davis on the Fox drama Tru Calling (27 episodes across 2003–2005).
Comedians of Comedy tour and film
Participated in The Comedians of Comedy tour with Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn and Maria Bamford; tour documented in TV and film (mid-2000s).
Stand-up special 'Live at the Purple Onion' on Netflix
Zach Galifianakis Live at the Purple Onion (2006) was one of Netflix's earliest original programs.
Released single 'Come On and Get It (Up in 'Dem Guts)'
Released a comedic hip-hop dance single in June 2006 featuring Fiona Apple.
Released comedic music video with Fiona Apple ('Not About Love') appearance
Appeared lip-syncing in Fiona Apple's 2006 'Not About Love' music video (noted cameo).
Appeared in Kanye West 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' video (second version)
Featured in the second version of Kanye West's video alongside Will Oldham (2007).
Began frequent performances at Largo (Los Angeles)
Was a regular performer at Largo, a center for LA comedy and music; many Late World and touring collaborators came from this venue.
Starred in independent film Visioneers (first leading role)
Took his first leading role as George in Visioneers; premiered 2008 and later released direct-to-DVD.
Absolut Vodka web ad series parody
Appeared in a 2008 series of web video advertisements for Absolut vodka with Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim.
Launched 'Between Two Ferns' (Funny or Die)
Began the web talk-show series Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis (2008–2018), conducting awkward/absurd interviews between two potted ferns.
Appeared on Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover
On Feb 22, 2008 he interviewed members of the Jackass cast during their site takeover.
Starred in Bored to Death (HBO) begins
Joined HBO's Bored to Death (series airing 2009–2011) as Ray Hueston; recurring/main role across seasons.
Appeared in Up in the Air, G-Force, Youth in Revolt (2009)
Featured in multiple widely released films across 2009, expanding mainstream profile.
Breakout role: The Hangover (Alan Garner)
Starred as Alan Garner in The Hangover (2009), which became a major box-office hit and raised his profile significantly.
Streamy Award — Best Male Actor in a Comedy Web Series (Between Two Ferns)
Won the Streamy Award for Best Male Actor in a Comedy Web Series for Between Two Ferns (2010).
Starred in Dinner for Schmucks, It's Kind of a Funny Story, Due Date
Had major film roles in multiple 2010 releases, maintaining high film visibility.
MTV Movie Award — Best Comedic Performance for The Hangover
Won the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for The Hangover (award announced in 2010 for 2009 film).
Hosted Saturday Night Live (shaved beard on-air)
Hosted SNL on March 6, 2010; notably shaved his beard mid-show for a sketch.
Appeared to smoke on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher
During an Oct 29, 2010 debate on marijuana legalization he appeared to smoke on live TV; Bill Maher later denied it was real marijuana.
The Hangover Part II and voiced Humpty Dumpty in Puss in Boots
Reprised Alan for The Hangover Part II (2011) and voiced Humpty Dumpty in the animated film Puss in Boots (2011).
Hosted SNL again (March 12, 2011) and shaved head
Hosted SNL on March 12, 2011; shaved his head during the show in a Mr. T–like style.
Reported salary for The Hangover Part II
Reported salary for The Hangover Part II was $5,000,000 (IMDb salary listing).
Starred in and produced The Campaign
Co-starred with Will Ferrell and was credited as a producer on Jay Roach's political comedy The Campaign (2012).
Married Quinn Lundberg
Married Canadian charity worker Quinn Lundberg at the UBC Farm in Vancouver (August 2012).
The Hangover Part III released (final Hangover film)
Reprised Alan Garner in The Hangover Part III (2013).
First son born
His first son was born on September 7, 2013; Galifianakis skipped the Are You Here premiere to be present for the birth.
Critical praise for Birdman (2014)
Received critical praise for his role in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), which later won multiple ensemble awards.
Charity fundraiser for Texas Abortion Fund (with Sarah Silverman)
In January 2014 Galifianakis and Sarah Silverman announced intentions to raise $20,000 to fund the Texas Abortion Fund in response to Texas H.B. 2.
Between Two Ferns wins Primetime Emmy (Short-Format)
Won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program as a producer of Between Two Ferns at the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmys (2014).
Critics' Choice Movie Award — Best Acting Ensemble (Birdman)
Part of the Birdman ensemble that won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble (2015).
Between Two Ferns wins additional Emmy
Between Two Ferns won Primetime Emmy recognition again in 2015 (Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program).
Queen Mimi documentary release (story of 'Mimi' Haist)
Documentary Queen Mimi (2015) revealed his friendship with homeless Marie 'Mimi' Haist and that he bought her an apartment across from the laundromat where she lived.
Screen Actors Guild Award — Outstanding Performance by a Cast (Birdman)
Shared a SAG Award with the Birdman cast for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (2015).
Co-created and starred in Baskets (FX)
Began starring as Chip/Dale Baskets and was co-creator, writer and executive producer for the FX series Baskets (2016–2019; 40 episodes).
Second son born
His second son was born on November 7, 2016.
Emmy nomination for Baskets (Lead Actor)
Nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Baskets (2017).
Voiced The Joker in The LEGO Batman Movie
Provided the voice of The Joker in The LEGO Batman Movie (2017).
Between Two Ferns: The Movie (Netflix) released
Feature-length Between Two Ferns film released on Netflix (2019), which he wrote, starred in and produced.
Starred in Missing Link and Between Two Ferns: The Movie
Voiced Mr. Link in Missing Link (2019) and starred in/produced/wrote Between Two Ferns: The Movie (Netflix, 2019).
Voiced lead in Ron's Gone Wrong
Voiced the character Ron in the animated feature Ron's Gone Wrong (2021).
Voiced Felix Fischoeder in The Bob's Burgers Movie
Provided voice work for The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022).
Cast as Dr. Jumba in Lilo & Stitch live-action adaptation
Announced that Galifianakis joined the live-action film adaptation of Lilo & Stitch as Dr. Jumba Jookiba (casting news Feb 17, 2023).
Voiced role in Thelma the Unicorn
Voiced 'Crusty Trucker' in Thelma the Unicorn (2024).
Recurring role on Only Murders in the Building (Season 4)
Portrayed a recurring character (Oliver) in Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building (2024).
Lilo & Stitch (live-action) release / role as Dr. Jumba
Listed as Jumba in the live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025) live-action remake (release year per filmography).
Estimated net worth reported
Public sources list his net worth at approximately $40 million (aggregated sites and bios as of mid-2020s).
Screen Actors Guild Award — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Only Murders in the Building)
Listed as part of the ensemble that won the SAG award in 2025 for Only Murders in the Building (ensemble credit).
Key Achievement Ages
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