Steve Zahn
Birth nameSteven James Zahn
Birth dateNovember 13, 1967 (age 58)
Birth placeMarshall, Minnesota, U.S.
EducationHarvard University (MFA)
OccupationActor
Years active1990–present
SpouseRobyn Peterman (m. 1994)

Steven James Zahn (/zɑːn/ ZAHN;[1] born November 13, 1967) is an American actor and comedian.

In film, Zahn is best known for his lead roles in That Thing You Do! (1996), Happy, Texas (1999), Joy Ride (2001), National Security (2003), A Perfect Getaway (2009), the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series (2010–2012), Cowboys (2020), and LaRoy, Texas (2023). His notable supporting roles in films include Reality Bites (1994), Out of Sight (1998), Forces of Nature (1999), Employee of the Month (2004), the Stuart Little film series (1999–2002), Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), Chicken Little (2005), Sahara (2005), Rescue Dawn (2006), Dallas Buyers Club (2013), The Good Dinosaur (2015), Captain Fantastic (2016) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).

In television, Zahn is best known for his main cast credits as Davis McAlary in the HBO series Treme (2010–2013), Cobi in the Amazon Prime Video series Mad Dogs (2015–2016), Jude Ellis in the ABC science fiction series The Crossing (2018), and Mark Mossbacher in season 1 of the HBO anthology series The White Lotus (2021).

Zahn received an Independent Spirit Award, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for The White Lotus, as well as two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Early life and education

Steven James Zahn was born on November 13, 1967,[2] in Marshall, Minnesota, the son of Carleton Edward Zahn, a Lutheran minister, and Zelda Clair Zahn, a bookstore clerk and later a YMCA administrator.[3]

Zahn spent part of his childhood in Mankato, Minnesota, attending Kennedy Elementary School, and moved to the suburbs of Minneapolis for high school, where he acted in school plays and became a two-time Minnesota state speech champion.[2][4] Zahn graduated from Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope in 1986, planning to eventually join the United States Marine Corps.[2]

He attended Gustavus Adolphus College for one semester, but dropped out after seeing the original West End production of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.[5] Zahn later enrolled in the Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University, earning a Master of Fine Arts.[6]

Career

In 1991, Zahn made his professional stage debut in a Minnesota production of Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues after falsely claiming to be a member of Actors' Equity.[2] His fellow actors suggested that he study acting, inspiring him to enroll in American Repertory Theater's two-year training program.[7] At A.R.T., Zahn worked with the stage director Andrei Șerban.[8]

In 1991, Zahn formed the Malaparte theater company with a group of actor friends, including Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard.[9] From 1991 to 1992, Zahn played Hugo Peabody in a national tour of Bye Bye Birdie starring Tommy Tune. He subsequently appeared in two Off-Broadway plays, Sophistry and Eric Bogosian's Suburbia.[10]

After his breakout film role in 1994's Reality Bites, Zahn quickly gained a reputation for playing amiable stoners, slackers, and sidekicks in films such as That Thing You Do! (1996), You've Got Mail (1998), and Out of Sight (1998).[11] In the 1990s, Zahn was often approached by fans who assumed he was an archetypal Generation X slacker, which was not the case. Zahn has said, "I'm the guy who gets up at six without an alarm clock. I was always that guy."[5]

In 1999, Zahn landed his first starring role in the critically acclaimed indie film Happy, Texas, for which he won a Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival.[12] After that, he began playing darker, more nuanced characters. He received Oscar buzz for his role as Drew Barrymore's deadbeat ex in Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), and played investigative journalist Adam Penenberg in Shattered Glass (2003), which starred Hayden Christensen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Chloë Sevigny.[13] A longtime Werner Herzog fan, Zahn campaigned for the role of Vietnam prisoner of war Duane W. Martin in Herzog's 2007 film Rescue Dawn; to prepare for the role, he lost 40 pounds (18 kg) by eating mostly raw food.[11][7]

Zahn has also worked regularly in television, playing Davis McClary on 36 episodes of HBO's Treme.

From 2010 to 2012, Zahn portrayed Frank Heffley, the father of Greg Heffley, in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series.

In 2017, Zahn played Bad Ape in War for the Planet of the Apes. He researched the role by watching chimpanzee videos on YouTube, and later said that the motion capture process and lengthy digital takes made Bad Ape "the most challenging acting job I've ever had".[14][15]

In 2024, Zahn portrayed Jimmy Conroy / "Solo" in the second season of the Apple TV+ series Silo.[16]

Awards

AwardYearCategoryWorkResult
Blockbuster Entertainment Award2008Favorite Supporting Actor – Comedy/RomanceForces of Nature
Independent Spirit Awards1999Best Supporting MaleHappy, Texas
2007Rescue Dawn
Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival2026Maverick Spirit Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieThe White Lotus
Satellite Award2000Best ActorHappy, Texas
Screen Actors Guild Awards2013Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureDallas Buyers Club
2016Captain Fantastic
Sundance Film Festival1999Special Dramatic Jury Prize for Best Comedic PerformanceHappy, Texas
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association2017Best Motion Capture PerformanceWar for the Planet of the Apes

Personal life

Zahn met author and theater artist Robyn Peterman, the daughter of clothier J. Peterman, while they were performing in a national tour of Bye Bye Birdie in 1991.[3][7] They married in 1994 and have two children.[17] In the 1990s, they bought a cabin in Pennsylvania and then a farm in New Jersey, near the Delaware Water Gap.[18] They next moved to a 36-acre horse farm outside Lexington, Kentucky, where Zahn gardens and raises horses, goats, and sheep.[19] He and his wife also run a local community theater, in which Zahn occasionally performs.[5] He also has a lake cabin near Pine City, Minnesota,[20] where he enjoys tubing and fishing with his children.[21] Zahn is a Lutheran.[22]

Zahn is a lifelong military history buff and has said that one of his biggest regrets was having turned down a role in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.[23] In 2007, he was awarded an honorary Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Northern Kentucky University. A University of Kentucky sports fan, Zahn is often seen at games and events.[24]

Filmography

Key
†Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1992Rain Without ThunderJeremy Tanner
1994Reality BitesSammy Gray
1995Crimson TideWilliam Barnes
1996Race the SunHans Kooiman
SubUrbiaBuff
That Thing You Do!Lenny Haise
1997Subway StoriesTuckerSegment: "The 5:24"
1998The Object of My AffectionFrank Hanson
Out of SightGlenn Michaels
Safe MenEddie
You've Got MailGeorge Pappas
1999Forces of NatureAlan
Freak Talks About SexFreak
Happy, TexasWayne Wayne Wayne Jr., aka David
Stuart LittleMontyVoice role[25]
2000Chain of FoolsThomas Kresk
HamletRosencrantz
2001Chelsea WallsRoss
Dr. Dolittle 2ArchieVoice role[25]
Joy RideFuller Thomas
Riding in Cars with BoysRay Hasek
Saving SilvermanWayne
2002Stuart Little 2MontyVoice role[25]
2003Daddy Day CareMarvin
National SecurityHank Rafferty
Shattered GlassAdam Penenberg
2004Employee of the MonthJack
SpeakMr. Freeman
2005Chicken LittleRunt of the LitterVoice role[25]
SaharaAl Giordino
2006BandidasQuentin Cooke
Rescue DawnDuane
2008The Great Buck HowardKenny
ManagementMike Flux
Strange WildernessPeter Gaulke
Sunshine CleaningMac
Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs and a BabySandy PigVoice, direct-to-video[25]
2009Night TrainPete Dobbs
A Perfect GetawayCliff Anderson
2010Calvin MarshallCoach Little
Diary of a Wimpy KidFrank Heffley
SalesmenMarvin
2011Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick RulesFrank Heffley
2012Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Class ClownVoice, short film
2013Escape from Planet EarthHawkVoice role[25]
Dallas Buyers ClubTucker
Knights of BadassdomEric
2015The Good DinosaurThunderclapVoice role[25]
The Ridiculous 6Clem
2016Captain FantasticDave
2017War for the Planet of the ApesBad ApeVoice and motion-capture[26][25]
Lean on PeteSilver[27]
2018BlazeOilman #2
2019Where'd You Go, BernadetteDavid Walker
Tall GirlRichie Kreyman[28]
2020Uncle FrankMike Bledsoe
CowboysTroy
20218-Bit ChristmasJohn Doyle[29]
2022Tall Girl 2Richie Kreyman
Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises AgainJedediahVoice[25]
2023Your Place or MineZen[30]
LaRoy, TexasSkip[31]
GringaJackson
WildcatTom T. Shiftlet[32]
2025She DancesJasonAlso screenwriter and producer
Eenie MeanieDad Meaney[33]
AnacondaKenny Trent
TBATime OutFilming
Hello & ParisFilming

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1990All My ChildrenSpenceEpisode #5303; Uncredited
1993South BeachLane BaileyEpisode: "Pirates of the Caribbean"
1995FriendsDuncanEpisode: "The One with Phoebe's Husband"
Mike & SpikeNick PicklesVoice, episode: "Person to Clothes"
Picture WindowsCrookEpisode: "Armed Response"
1997Liberty! The American RevolutionAmerican Sergeant4 episodes
1998From the Earth to the MoonAstronaut Elliot SeeMiniseries; Episode: "Can We Do This?"
2008Comanche MoonAugustus "Gus" McCrae3 episodes
2008–2012Phineas and FerbShermanVoice, 2 episodes[25]
2009MonkJack Monk, Jr.Episode: "Mr. Monk's Other Brother"
WWII in HDNolen MarbreyVoice, 3 episodes
2010–2013TremeDavis McAlaryRegular, 36 episodes
2013Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade NinjaTerry McFistVoice, episode: "Fart-Topia"
2014Mind GamesClark EdwardsRegular, 13 episodes
2014–2015Modern FamilyRonnie La FontaineRecurring role, 4 episodes
2015–2016Mad DogsCobiSeries regular, 10 episodes
2018The CrossingJude EllisSeries lead, 11 episodes
2019Valley of the BoomMichael FenneMain role
2020The Healing Powers of DudeDudeVoice, main role[34]
The Good Lord BirdChase2 episodes
2021The White LotusMark MossbacherMain role[35]
2022The Last Movie StarsDonald "Duck" DobbinsVoice, 3 episodes
2022–2023George & TammyGeorge Richey6 episodes[36]
2023The Righteous GemstonesPeter MontgomeryRecurring[37]
2024–presentSiloSoloMain role (season 2–present)[38]
2025Chad PowersJake HudsonMain role

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005Chicken LittleRunt of the Litter

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990Bye Bye BirdieHugo Peabody
1991Biloxi BluesPerformer[39]

References

  1. ^ "Steve Zahn: Filming 'War of the Planet of the Apes' was 'physically the hardest job I ever did'". Good Morning America. July 11, 2017. Archived 2021-11-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2020. – via YouTube
  2. ^ Simon, Alex (July 3, 2015). "Great Conversations: Steve Zahn," Archived 2022-04-09 at the Wayback Machine HuffPost Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Braun, Liz (February 26, 2001). "Steve Zahn has a smart funny humour," Archived 2017-09-16 at the Wayback Machine Jam!. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  4. ^ Covert, Colin (August 18, 2009). "Local boy Steve Zahn grows up," Archived 2017-09-16 at the Wayback Machine Star Tribune (Minneapolis). Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  5. ^ Riesman, Abraham (July 13, 2017). "Steve Zahn. Seriously." Archived 2017-09-16 at the Wayback Machine Vulture. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "Steve Zahn: The Hollywood Interview". Archived 2021-01-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  7. ^ Copley, Rich (June 23, 2016). "Steve Zahn talks craft and Kentucky at UK's Singletary Center," Archived 2017-09-16 at the Wayback Machine Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved on September 15, 2017.
  8. ^ O'Sullivan, Michael (July 13, 2007). "Steve Zahn . . . in All Seriousness," Archived 2017-09-16 at the Wayback Machine The Washington Post. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  9. ^ Sternbergh, Adam (January 31, 2010). "The Ethan Hawke Actors Studio," Archived 2010-02-03 at the Wayback Machine New York. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  10. ^ Klein, Alvin (March 15, 1992). "Tommy Tune and 'Bye Bye Birdie,'" Archived 2018-01-16 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  11. ^ Rabin, Nathan (July 3, 2007). "Interview: Steve Zahn," Archived 2022-04-09 at the Wayback Machine The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Ojumu, Akin (November 13, 1999). "Steve Zahn's habitual scene-stealing," Archived 2017-09-16 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian. (London) Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  13. ^ Smith, Neil (December 4, 2001). "Riding in Cars with Boys (2001)," Archived 2018-11-06 at the Wayback Machine BBC News. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  14. ^ Rottenberg, Josh (April 21, 2017). "Why Steve Zahn's 'Bad Ape' in 'War for the Planet of the Apes' made director Matt Reeves cry," Archived 2017-09-16 at the Wayback Machine Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  15. ^ Lammers, Tim (July 13, 2017). "Interview: Steve Zahn Talks 'War of the Planet of the Apes,'" Archived 2017-09-17 at the Wayback Machine DirectConversations.com. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  16. ^ Gomez, Dessi (July 27, 2024). "'Silo' Season 2 Sets Release Date, Adds Steve Zahn To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  17. ^ Cole, Stacey (February 5, 2017). "Steve Zahn Replaced in 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid,' Couldn't be Happier". Yahoo! News. Archived December 4, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  18. ^ Spangler, Adam (25 January 2008). "The Zahn Rules". Outside. Archived 14 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  19. ^ Belloni, Matthew (October 27, 2008). "Steve Zahn: What I've Learned," Archived 2020-08-07 at the Wayback Machine Esquire. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  20. ^ Justin, Neal (21 February 2014). "Steve Zahn plays 'Mind Games' in new ABC series". Star Tribune. Archived 9 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  21. ^ Justin, Neal (30 March 2018). "TV star Steve Zahn may save the world – but saving his Minnesota cabin comes first". Star Tribune. Archived 9 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Steve Zahn - Biographical Summaries of Notable People". www.myheritage.com. Archived 2022-08-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  23. ^ "Steve Zahn," Archived 2016-01-05 at the Wayback Machine interviewed by Doug Boyd (May 29, 2013). Colonel Arthur L. Kelly American Veterans Oral History Collection, University of Kentucky Libraries. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  24. ^ Watson, Heather C. (18 March 2015). "The HerKentucky UK and U of L Fan Elite Eight". Her Kentucky. Archived 11 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  25. ^ "Steve Zahn (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 15, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  26. ^ Sneider, Jeff (October 12, 2015). "Steve Zahn to Play New Ape in Next Planet of the Apes Movie". TheWrap. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  27. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (September 14, 2016). "Tommy Flanagan Sings Along With The Ballad Of Lefty Brown; Thomas Mann Joins Lean On Pete". Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  28. ^ Kilday, Gregg (January 24, 2019). "Netflix Finds Its 'Tall Girl'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  29. ^ "New Line Starts Production on Feature Film 8-BIT CHRISTMAS for HBO Max Starring Neil Patrick Harris, Winslow Fegley, June Diane Raphael and Steve Zahn". Pressroom. March 3, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  30. ^ Jackson, Angelique (October 5, 2021). "Jesse Williams, Zoë Chao, Steve Zahn, Tig Notaro and Wesley Kimmel Join Netflix Rom-Com Your Place or Mine (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  31. ^ Roxborough, Scott (May 4, 2022). "Cannes: Steve Zahn, Jared Harris, John Magaro Board LaRoy From Poms Writer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  32. ^ Lang, Brent (January 23, 2023). "Ethan Hawke Directing Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Steve Zahn, Cooper Hoffman, Alessandro Nivola and More in Wildcat (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  33. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 9, 2024). "Andy Garcia, Jermaine Fowler, Marshawn Lynch & Steve Zahn Among Final Additions To 20th Heist Thriller Eenie Meanie". Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  34. ^ "The Healing Powers of Dude". Netflix Media Center. 25 June 2019. Archived December 13, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  35. ^ "New HBO Limited Series THE WHITE LOTUS From Mike White Debuts July 11". Pressroom. May 10, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  36. ^ Fleming, Mike (December 8, 2021). "Steve Zahn To Play Tammy Wynette Husband & Manager George Richey In George & Tammy". Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  37. ^ Welk, Brian (June 19, 2022). "Steve Zahn to Join The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 Cast". TheWrap. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  38. ^ Gomez, Dessi (July 27, 2024). "'Silo' Season 2 Sets Release Date, Adds Steve Zahn To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  39. ^ "Steve Zahn Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos". BroadwayWorld. Archived October 22, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 19, 2020.