Zachary Robin Gottsagen (born April 22, 1985) is an American actor and rapper. He had a breakout role for the film The Peanut Butter Falcon.
Zack Gottsagen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Zachary Robin Gottsagen April 22, 1985 United States |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2019–present |
Career
editHis screen debut happened as an infant in an instructional film on natural childbirth.[1]
While at Zeno Mountain Farm, a camp for people with and without disabilities, Gottsagen met Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. At his request for them to make a film with him as the star, Nilson and Schwartz wrote and directed The Peanut Butter Falcon. In the film, Gottsagen had a starring role as an aspiring professional wrestler with Down Syndrome.[2]
In 2020, Gottsagen became the first person with Down Syndrome to be a presenter at the Academy Awards, when he and Shia LaBeouf presented the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.[3] In 2019, he was recognized as a Breakthrough Entertainer by the Associated Press.[4]
Gottsagen starred with Felicity Huffman in an ABC television pilot based on the life of Susan Savage, owner of the minor league baseball team the Sacramento River Cats.[5]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Bulletproof (short) | Gar Vunderson / Grimm Jim | [6] |
| 2014 | Becoming Bulletproof (documentary) | self | [6][1] |
| 2019 | The Peanut Butter Falcon | Zak | [4] |
| 2020 | Best Summer Ever | Cheerleader | [7] |
| TBA | Night Always Comes | Kenny | [8] |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Palm Springs International Film Festival Rising Star Award | The Peanut Butter Falcon | Won | [9] |
| Hollywood Critics Association Newcomer Award | The Peanut Butter Falcon | Won | [10] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Zack Gottsagen - 2018 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award Recipient". Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ Rosen, Lisa (2019-12-03). "Zack Gottsagen has Down Syndrome. And a movie role. And a best bud named Shia LaBeouf". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
- ^ "'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Star Zack Gottsagen Takes Stage as First Oscar Presenter With Down Syndrome". Hollywood Reporter. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
- ^ a b Isaza, Marcela (2019-12-17). "Breakthrough Entertainer: Zack Gottsagen realizes a dream". Associated Press. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 30, 2020). "Felicity Huffman To Headline Baseball TV Comedy In Acting Return; ABC Nabs Project Co-Starring Zack Gottsagen From Becky Hartman Edwards & Kapital". Deadline. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b "Zack Gottsagen". Reel Abilities. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ Kranking, Emily (March 27, 2020). "5+ Independent Movies Starring Actors With Disabilities You Can Stream". The Mighty. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "'Night Always Comes': Jennifer Jason Leigh, Stephan James, Julia Fox, Randall Park & More Join Vanessa Kirby In Upcoming Netflix Thriller". theplaylist.net. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (December 4, 2019). "Zack Gottsagen to Receive Rising Star Award From Palm Springs International Film Festival". The Wrap. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2020). "'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Star Zack Gottsagen Inks Talent Deal With Kapital Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved November 30, 2020.