Zach Braff bio, age, height, net worth, career path, family, girfriend, kids 2025

Biography of Zach Braff

Zach Braff (Zachary Israel Braff) is a dynamic and versatile actor who shot to fame playing the lovable Dr. John "J.D." Dorian in the hit TV series "Scrubs" and later made his mark as a director with films like "Going in Style" and "Wish I Was Here." He's also a producer, screenwriter, three-time Golden Globe recipient (2005 - 2007), Grammy winner, and Emmy nominee.

Childhood and Family

Zach was born in South Orange, New Jersey, to Harold Irwin Braff, a prominent litigation attorney, Rutgers Law School professor, and lecturer, and Anne Brodzinsky, a psychologist. His father is Jewish, while his mother's family emigrated to the United States from Poland.

His parents divorced when Zach was young, but they stayed close friends even after the split. Zach grew up with his older brothers: Joshua, who became a successful author, and Adam, who also went into the creative field as a screenwriter and producer.

At age 10, Zach was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which showed up as unexplained anxiety, restlessness, and sudden bouts of fear. To cope with these symptoms and find an outlet, Zachary enrolled in theater school. For eight years, Zach also attended the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center, alongside Mandy Moore, Josh Charles, and Natalie Portman. This theatrical training became the launching pad for Braff's creative career.

In 1993, Zach enrolled at Northwestern University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree four years later, setting the stage for his childhood dream of becoming a director.

Early Career

During high school and college, Zach landed roles in several popular TV shows. In 1993, he played a minor role in Woody Allen's crime comedy "Manhattan Murder Mystery," portraying the son of the main characters, Nick. The film also starred the incomparable Anjelica Huston, known for her role in the comedy "The Addams Family," and Jerry Adler.

In 2000, the young actor appeared in the melodramatic comedy "The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy," playing the punk character Benji. That same year, two more films featuring Zach were released: the art-house fantasy-drama "Blue Moon" and the drama "Endsville," in which he co-starred with William Fichtner and Ethan Phillips.

"Scrubs" and the Blossoming Career

The role that launched the young actor to stardom was medical intern-turned-doctor John Dorian in the hit comedy series "Scrubs." Right after landing the role—which actor Michael Muhney had also auditioned for—Zach Braff quit his waiter job and dove into filming.

His character is a childlike daydreamer who loves getting lost in thought and hanging out with his best friend Turk, a surgeon at the same hospital—and he's got a heart of gold. Dr. Dorian's deep care for his patients drives him to go above and beyond, like sitting by a terminally ill patient's bedside for hours just to brighten their final moments.

Zach Braff Compares Himself with JD On Scrubs

The series ran for nearly a decade, starting in 2001. Zach not only played one of the most memorable roles in the project, earning him Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, but he also directed several episodes and served as a producer.

During the 10-year run of "Scrubs," Zach managed to work on ten other projects. His most notable work from the early 2000s is the psychodrama "Garden State" (2004), where he not only starred but also directed. Critics praised the film as "unhurried, highly atmospheric, and almost psychedelic." Zach's co-stars included Peter Sarsgaard and Natalie Portman.

In 2006, Zach played Tom in the dramedy "The Ex," alongside Amanda Peet, Jason Bateman, and Mia Farrow. That same year, he co-wrote the screenplay for "The Last Kiss" with Paul Haggis while also starring in this poignant, ironic film. Both audiences and critics recognized Zach's acting talent, though the film wasn't a major hit.

When "Scrubs" ended in May 2010, Zach worked hard to shake off the comedic doctor persona that had come to define him.

Emmys: Hugh Laurie and Zach Braff

Further Career

In 2010, the Canadian-produced drama "The High Cost of Living" was released, featuring Zach in the lead role. The film's director, Deborah Chow, had previously made her mark with the psychological thriller "Flowers in the Attic," which left audiences stunned. Chow's latest work didn't disappoint either, delivering a somber, complex, and deeply moving story that made audiences reflect on what really matters. Under Chow's direction, Zach managed to do what seemed impossible—break free from his iconic "Scrubs" doctor persona.

In 2012, Zach appeared in the biographical melodrama "The Color of Time," which revealed some details of the life of poet and writer Charles Kenneth Williams. In this film, Zach co-starred with Mila Kunis and James Franco. While the film found success in Western markets, it didn't connect with Russian audiences.

In 2016, Zach reunited with James Franco on the set of the dramatic film "In Dubious Battle," which also featured Selena Gomez and Robert Duvall, as well as in the comedic historical drama "The Disaster Artist."

Zach Braff Shows Off How He Got Monkiefied For Oz the Great & Powerful

When discussing Zach's creative work, we can't overlook the two documentaries he produced. In 2014, Braff produced the film "Video Games: The Movie," in which he also appeared, sharing his memories and impressions of his experiences with virtual reality.

In the same year, another documentary, "The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz," was released, with Zach as a producer. Braff considers this project personally meaningful, as it reflects his commitment to truth and justice. The film struck a powerful chord with audiences, chronicling the life and death of Aaron Swartz, a political activist and internet prodigy.

Film Works

As a film director, Braff has several successful films under his belt, among which the movie "Wish I Was Here" (2014) stands out. Although the genre of the film is defined as a comedy-drama, there is little humor in it — it is a very philosophical film about the lives of ordinary people. Watching this young couple's journey, viewers will inevitably connect with moments from their own lives, both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Zach played the role of Aidan, a father of two, in his film, and as critics noted, he successfully avoided cliches and stereotypes both as a director and as an actor, which often spoil films of this genre. Zach's co-stars in this project were Jim Parsons and Kate Hudson. In 2017, Zach delivered the crime comedy "Going in Style," a heartwarming story about seeking justice, starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin.

A year later, Zach launched the comedy series "Alex, Inc.," where he once again took the starring role. Zach's character takes a desperate step: he quits his unbearably boring job and tries to develop his own business. But reality proves far different from his expectations. Braff's character struggles to overcome obstacles and work through his personal issues while chasing his dreams, naturally finding himself in hilarious situations that have viewers both laughing and rooting for him.

Alex, Inc. - Zach Braff on Creating and Casting the Series

In this series, Tia Sircar played the role of Zach's character's wife. Michael Imperioli, Kelley Perine, and Nadege August also took part in the project. Audiences loved this charming and endearingly naive series for its fresh concept, solid execution, and stellar performances. Despite its success, the series was canceled after the first season. Zach Braff's Personal Life Fans know very little about Braff's romantic relationships and personal life. Raised with deep respect for traditional Jewish values where family comes first, Zach approaches relationships and marriage with serious consideration, which explains why he's remained single.

In the early 2000s, Zach met singer and actress Bonnie Somerville, who contributed a song to the drama "Garden State." Their relationship lasted only a short time.

Next, actress Mandy Moore caught Zach's eye, but she wasn't the one who would make him settle down.

In late 2009, reports emerged that Zach was dating stunning blonde model Taylor Bagley. The couple hit red carpet events together for about six years and treated fans to sweet photos on social media. Despite fans hoping for an engagement announcement, Zach and Taylor called it quits in 2014. According to both Braff and Bagley, it was a mutual decision, and they remained close friends.

In 2019, young actress Florence Pugh (20 years Braff's junior) entered the picture. Fans of the actress came down hard on her decision, prompting her to fire back on Instagram, writing that she has every right to decide who she dates. Florence delivered a fiery message to her followers, calling out critics for disrespecting her and her partner and telling anyone who had a problem with her choice to unfollow her page. Zach's fans, meanwhile, supported his choice, pointing out that despite her age, Florence is a talented actress with a strong, no-nonsense personality.

Zach and Florence's romance lasted for about three years. In August 2022, they announced their breakup.

Zach Braff now

Zach remains an incorrigible romantic, idealist, and optimist, though his optimism is sometimes tinged with melancholy and hopelessness. Many of his projects feature happy endings, but once the credits roll, viewers realize that despite the seemingly upbeat conclusion, the characters aren't destined for happiness.

In early April 2020, it was announced that Zach and his longtime friend Donald Faison—his "Scrubs" co-star—launched a podcast dedicated to the legendary series. Zach and Donald planned to watch and comment on every episode, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the beloved show that captivated millions. The project sparked rumors about a possible series revival, and when fans asked Zach about it on Instagram, he disappointed them by saying it would be impossible to pull off.

«Scrubs» Stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison Play Fast Money - Celebrity Family Feud

Beyond that, in 2020, Braff joined the directorial team of "Ted Lasso," the series that won viewers' hearts from its very first season. In 2021, he worked on the miniseries "Solos," and in 2023, he released the feature drama "A Good Person" starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman. The story follows a woman about to get married who causes an accident on the eve of her wedding that kills her fiancé's sister. Over the following year, she transforms into a completely different person.

In an interview around the film's release, Braff revealed that the plot was largely drawn from his own life:

In 2016, my sister had an aneurysm, and two years later, she passed away. My father didn't survive long after losing her. And then I went into isolation. One of my best friends—who was staying with me, his wife, and young child—got COVID and died. He was 41 years old! During isolation, I wanted to write something authentic about the pain and agony we experience as human beings, and how we cope with it.

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Photos: Zach Braff