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Zach Braff Biography

Birth Name:Zachary Israel Braff

Birth Place:South Orange, New Jersey, United States

Profession Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack, Music department

Fast Facts

Awarded a Grammy in 2005 for his producing credits on the "Garden State" soundtrack
Began acting at Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts training center for children located in New York
Quote: "I think - not to push this on anyone - that this is the life we have; there is no afterlife and there's no cloud that we get to sit on and read the paper․ When I fold that into the search for my own spirituality, I want to seize the day․ I want to live each moment․ I want to make the most of it, because this is it․"
Quote: "I feel like so many movies, I come out of them afterwards and I say, 'That was fun,' and then I don't talk about it ever again․ I know a movie is good when I'm thinking about it the next day and I want to talk about it․"
After numerous small parts on both television and film, his first big break came after landing the lead role on NBC's "Scrubs" in 2001, a role which would land him numerous Golden Globe and Emmy nominations
Began directing episodes of "Scrubs" while still a cast member and moved on to feature films with 2004's "Garden State"
Attended Northwestern University and graduated in 1997 from the School of Communication
Diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder at age 10
Started a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 to help fund his most recent film project, the financial goal of which was met within a matter of days

Awards

2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a New Comedy Series: nominated
2002Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actor, Comedy: nominated
2003Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor - Comedy: nominated
2004CFCA Award-Best New Director: winner
2004Pauline Kael Breakout Award-: winner
2004Golden Schmoes-Best Screenplay of the Year: nominated
2004Golden Schmoes-Best Director of the Year: nominated
2004Golden Schmoes-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: winner
2004Hollywood Breakthrough Award-Breakthrough Directing: winner
2004Humanitas Prize-Sundance Film Category: nominated
2004NBR Award-Best Directorial Debut: winner
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2004PFCS Award-Breakout of the Year - Behind the Camera: winner
2004Grand Jury Prize-Dramatic: nominated
2004Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor - Comedy: nominated
2005COFCA Award-Breakthrough Film Artist: winner
2005Empire Award-Best Newcomer: nominated
2005Independent Spirit Award-Best First Feature: winner
2005Independent Spirit Award-Best First Screenplay: nominated
2005Gold Derby Film Award-Original Screenplay: nominated
2005Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: winner
2005INOCA-Best Breakthrough: nominated
2005MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
2005MTV Movie Award-Breakthrough Male: nominated
2005OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2005OFTA Film Award-Best First Feature: nominated
2005OFTA Film Award-Best First Screenplay: nominated
2005OFCS Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: nominated
2005OFCS Award-Best Breakthrough Filmmaker: winner
2005OFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Liplock: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor: Comedy: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Breakout Performance - Male: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Blush Scene: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Love Scene: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Drama: nominated
2005WGA Award (Screen)-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2006Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2006OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2006OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2006Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actor: Comedy: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor of the Decade: nominated
2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
2017The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
2021DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series: nominated
2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Best Actor-Feature: nominated