Biography of Zach Braff
Zach Braff (Zachary Israel Braff) is a vivid and extraordinary actor who gained prominence for his portrayal of the charming Dr. John "J.D." Dorian in the television series "Scrubs" and his directorial endeavors in films such as "Going in Style" and "Wish I Was Here." 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. The actor's father is Jewish, while his mother's ancestors emigrated to the United States from Poland.The couple divorced when Zach was quite young, but even after their separation, they remained close friends. Zach grew up alongside his elder brothers: Joshua, who became a renowned author, and Adam, who also pursued a creative career as a screenwriter and producer.
Early Career
During his high school and college years, Zach managed to appear in episodes of several popular television projects. 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 featured the inimitable Anjelica Huston, known for her role in the comedy "The Addams Family," and Jerry Adler.
"Scrubs" and the Blossoming Career
The role that catapulted the young actor to tremendous fame was that of medical intern-turned-doctor John Dorian in the comedy television series "Scrubs." Immediately after being cast for the part, which was also auditioned for by actor Michael Muhney, Zach Braff quit his waiter job and immersed himself in the filming process.
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, was remembered by moviegoers for her work on the detective psychothriller "Flowers in the Attic," which shocked audiences. Chow's latest work did not disappoint film enthusiasts either, offering a somber, complex, and poignant story that prompted reflection on true values. It is believed that it was through Chow's direction that Zach accomplished the seemingly impossible task of moving beyond the indelible image of the doctor from the famous "Scrubs."
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 work significant primarily for himself, as it embodies his desire for the triumph of truth and justice. The film caused a huge resonance in society, as it was dedicated to 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. Observing the life of a young couple, viewers will undoubtedly recall certain moments from their own lives, sometimes sad and sometimes amusing.
A year later, Zach introduced the first season of the comedy project "Alex, Inc.," in which he played the lead role once again. Zach's character takes a desperate step: he quits his unbearably boring job and tries to develop his own business. However, real life turns out to be quite different from what he had imagined. Braff's character tries to overcome difficulties and deal with his psychological problems, strives for his goal, and, of course, finds himself in amusing situations that make viewers both laugh and sympathize with him.
In the early 2000s, Zach met singer and actress Bonnie Somerville, who performed a song in the drama "Garden State." Their relationship lasted only a short time.
Zach Braff now
Zach still remains an incorrigible romantic, idealist, and optimist, although sometimes his optimism is tinged with melancholy and hopelessness. Many of his projects feature a happy ending, but as soon as the credits roll, viewers understand that, despite the seemingly happy outcome, the characters are not destined to be happy.
In 2016, my sister had an aneurysm, and two years later, she passed away. My father didn't last long after her death. And then I went into isolation. One of my best friends, who was staying with me along with his wife and young child, got sick with COVID and eventually died. He was 41 years old! And during the self-isolation, I just wanted to write something authentic about this pain, this agony that we, as human beings, sometimes experience, and how we cope with it.
