Zach Braff Celebrity Watchlist

Biography

An adorably goofy actor, Braff was interested in entertainment from an early age, attending a performing arts summer camp and studying film at Northwestern University. He initially concentrated on theater and film work, landing a role in a stage production of Macbeth starring Alec Baldwin, and a handful of small movie parts in the 1990s. In 2001, he shot to stardom as a lovable but naive doctor on the zany hospital-set sitcom Scrubs. By the time Scrubs reached its ninth season, Braff starred in only a handful of episodes and took on a greater behind-the-scenes role, serving as one of the show's executive producers. Throughout the series' run he also directed several episodes, and made his big-screen directorial debut in 2004 with Garden State, a favorite of fans and critics, in which he starred, and which he also wrote. Off-screen, the native Jersey boy had a two-year relationship with Mandy Moore that ended in 2006; he was also involved with another actress, Shiri Appleby. He also had to deal with tabloid rumors that he was a womanizing party boy, claims he disputed during a 2006 appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman. In October 2009, a rumor about Braff's death was widely circulated on the Internet. Braff then posted a video on YouTube in which he blasted the originator of the rumor and proved that the story of his death was indeed greatly exaggerated.

Fast Facts

Attended Stagedoor Manor, a summer theater camp for young people in upstate New York, and went on to star with fellow Stagedoor alum Natalie Portman in his directorial feature debut, Garden State (2004).
At 14, was cast opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in an unsold TV pilot produced by her father, Bruce Paltrow.
First movie role was in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993).
Performed opposite Alec Baldwin, Angela Bassett and Liev Schreiber at New York's Public Theatre production of Macbeth.
Directed music videos, including the Scrubs theme song, "Superman."
Provided the voice of the Cottonelle puppy in TV commercials.
After a widespread rumor about his death hit the Internet in 2009, he posted a video on YouTube proving he was alive.

Awards

2004, Grammy — Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Winner
2006, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Nominee
2005, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Nominee
2005, Independent Spirit Awards — Best First Feature: Winner
2005, Writers Guild Awards — Original Screenplay: Nominee
2005, Independent Spirit Awards — Best First Screenplay: Nominee
2005, Emmy — Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Nominee
2007, Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: Nominee