Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis is an actor, comedian and writer best known for playing Alan in The Hangover film series and starring in Baskets. Born in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Galifianakis attended North Carolina State University as a communications major and failed his final course by one point, leaving without earning a degree. While at NC State, he befriended comedy writer A.D. Miles, who later became a collaborator.

Galifianakis moved to New York City and began performing stand-up in clubs and coffeehouses before landing early television roles on shows including Boston Common, Reno 911! and Tru Calling. His breakout came with The Hangover in 2009, which turned him into a household name and led to two sequels. He also hosted Saturday Night Live and created the interview series Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis.

His other notable credits include Due Date (2010), The Campaign (2012), Birdman (2014), Masterminds (2016), Baskets and Winner (2024). Between Two Ferns earned him Emmy wins in 2014 and 2015, and he was later nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Baskets in 2017. In 2026, he joined the cast of The Audacity as Carl Bardolph.

Galifianakis married Quinn Lundberg in Vancouver, Canada, in 2012, and the couple share two sons.