Zach Galifianakis

“Zach” Galifianakis is an American comedian and actor, known for his numerous film and television appearances including his own Comedy Central Presents special. While initially more of an “underground” comedian, he garnered mainstream attention with his role in the successful 2009 comedy film The Hangover.

Galifianakis was born in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. His mother, Mary Francis (née Cashion), ran a community center for the arts, and his father, Harry Galifianakis, was a heating oil vendor who emigrated from Greece. Galifianakis was raised in his father’s Greek Orthodox faith. He has two siblings, a younger sister, Merritt, and an older brother, Greg. His uncle, Nick Galifianakis, was a congressman from North Carolina between 1967 and 1973.

Galifianakis attended Wilkes Central High School, and subsequently North Carolina State University, where he majored in communications.

While at North Carolina State he was the only caucasian member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He failed a course before graduation and left for New York City. His original goal was to pursue acting, although he eventually became a stand-up comic.