Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis (born Zacharius Knight Galifianakis, 1.10.1969)

Zach Galifianakis is an American stand-up comedian and actor, known for his TV and film appearances, including his own Comedy Central Presents. After starting off as an underground comedian, Zach's career hit the mainstream after he appeared in the Todd Phillips-directed comedy movies, The Hangover and Due Date.

Zach Galifianakis: Childhood

Zach Galifianakis was born to Mary Francis and Harry Galifianakis, in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. His mother ran a community arts centre and his father was a heating oil vendor. Zach was raised as Greek Orthodox; his father's faith. He attended Wilkes Central High School, then North Carolina State University, majoring in communication.

Zach Galifianakis: Career

Zach Galifianakis' TV career began in 1996, when he played the role of the stoner, Billy, in Boston Common. After this, he started work as a writer on Saturday Night Live, but only lasted for two weeks.

He went on to land a number of roles in films such as Out Cold, Corky Romano, Bubble Boy with Jake Gyllenhaal and Heartbreakers, with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta and Sigourney Weaver.

In September 2001, Galifianakis' episode of Comedy Central Presents was aired, featuring an a capella group singing 'Eternal Flame' by The Bangles. The following year, Galifianakis became a talk show host, with Late World with Zach. His next TV role came when he landed the role of the coroner Davis in Tru Calling. The series also featured Eliza Dushku and Jason Priestley. Galifianakis has also appeared a number of times on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Zach Galifianakis then starred in Dog Bites Man, a spoof news show, as Alan Finger. He also appeared on an episode of The Sarah Silverman Program.

2006 saw Galifianakis feature in Fiona Apple's music video, for the song 'Not About Love', lip-synching the lyrics to the song. The following year, Kanye West asked him and Will Oldham to do the same for his song 'Can't Tell Me Nothing.

On the comedy website Funny or Diem Zach Galifianakis has a series of videos entitled 'Between Two Ferns', in which he interviews a number of celebrities, including Charlize Theron, Michael Cera, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell and Bruce Willis.

In 2009, Zach Galifianakis starred in the hit comedy movie The Hangover, along with Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Heather Graham. Following his role in The Hangover, Galifianakis appeared in the Oscar-nominated Up in the Air, which starred George Clooney. Having only lasted for two weeks as a writer on Saturday Night Live, Galifianakis then went on to host an episode of the show.

2010 saw Zach Galifianakis appear in a number of films, including Dinner for Schmucks, with Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, It's Kind of a Funny Story and Due Date, with Robert Downey Jr. It was also announced that he would star in the sequel to The Hangover.

Zach Galifianakis: Personal Life

Zach Galifianakis is dating Quinn Lundberg, the co-founder of the charity, Growing Voices.