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{{Infobox person
| name               = Zach Cregger
| image              = Zach Cregger.jpg
| caption            = Cregger in mid-2010
| birth_name         = Zachary Michael Cregger
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1981|03|01}}
| birth_place        = [[Arlington, Virginia]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Comedian
* actor
* director
* writer
* producer}}
| years_active       = 1998–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Sara Paxton]]|2019}}
}}

'''Zachary Michael Cregger''' (born March 1, 1981) is an American comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He is a founding member of the comedy troupe ''[[The Whitest Kids U' Know]]'' and starred in the sitcoms ''[[Friends with Benefits (TV series)|Friends with Benefits]]'', ''[[Guys with Kids]]'', and ''[[Wrecked (TV series)|Wrecked]]''. He wrote and directed the horror films ''[[Barbarian (2022 film)|Barbarian]]'' (2022) and ''[[Weapons (2025 film)|Weapons]]'' (2025).

==Early life and education==
Cregger was born in [[Arlington, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/zach_cregger|title=Zach Cregger |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zach-cregger/credits/3030124792/|title=Zach Cregger |magazine=TV Guide |access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref> He performed in various local comedy and music groups<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |date=May 20, 2011 |title=A Brief Interview with the Whitest Kids U'Know's Zach Creger |url=http://www.ifc.com/fix/2011/05/a-brief-interview-with-the-whi-3 |access-date=October 28, 2012 |publisher=IFC}}</ref> before moving to [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]] to attend the [[School of Visual Arts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifc.com/shows/wkuk/cast-and-crew/zach-cregger |title=The Whitest Kids U' Know - Zach Cregger |publisher=IFC |date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2012}}</ref>

==Career==
[[File:Trevor Moore, Timmy Williams, Darren Trumeter, Sam Brown and Zach Cregger with the LG Electronics Kompressor Vacuum on 25th Spirit Awards Blue Carpet held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 5, 2010 in LA.jpg|thumb|180px|Cregger and [[The Whitest Kids U' Know]] at the 25th [[Film Independent Spirit Awards|Spirit Awards]] in 2010]]
Cregger is a founding member of the Whitest Kids U' Know comedy troupe, formed alongside [[Trevor Moore (comedian)|Trevor Moore]] and Sam Brown in 2000. While shooting an independent film, he met Darren Trumeter who subsequently joined the group.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 21, 2012 |title=The Whitest Kids U' Know - Darren Trumeter |url=http://www.ifc.com/shows/wkuk/cast-and-crew/darren-trumeter |access-date=October 28, 2012 |publisher=IFC}}</ref> The Whitest Kids U' Know garnered success locally and online, leading to an invitation to the HBO [[The Comedy Festival|U.S. Comedy Arts Festival]] in 2006. The troupe won the award for Best [[Sketch comedy|Sketch]] Group and attracted the attention of several networks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.readthehook.com/85512/cover-america-ready-moore-trevor-sure-hopes-so |title=COVER- Is America ready for Moore? Trevor sure hopes so|newspaper=The Hook|access-date=October 28, 2012}}</ref> Following their successful showcase, [[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]] ordered a sketch series from the group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyd |first=Betsy |date=2006-07-17 |title=The Whitest Kids U Know |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/the-whitest-kids-u-know-1200339735/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> ''The Whitest Kids U' Know'' aired its first season on the network in 2007 before moving to then-sister network [[IFC (American TV channel)|IFC]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-08-09 |title=BIG NEWS: WHITEST KIDS MOVE TO IFC!!! - Whitest Kids U'Know |url=http://whitestkids.com/2007/07/12/big-news-whitest-kids-move-to-ifc/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809050521/http://whitestkids.com/2007/07/12/big-news-whitest-kids-move-to-ifc/ |archive-date=August 9, 2011 }}</ref> The series ran for five seasons before concluding in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 21, 2012 |title=The Whitest Kids U' Know - About |url=http://www.ifc.com/shows/wkuk/about |access-date=October 28, 2012 |publisher=IFC}}</ref>

Alongside Moore, he starred in and co-directed the films ''[[Miss March]]'' and ''The Civil War on Drugs''. The latter received a limited theatrical release and aired as a recurring [[Serial (radio and television)|serial]] during the final season of ''The Whitest Kids U' Know''.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> The troupe's second feature film, ''Mars'', premiered at the [[Tribeca Festival]] on June 6, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=April 17, 2024 |title=The Whitest Kids U' Know's Animated Feature 'Mars' Sets Tribeca World Premiere |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/04/the-whitest-kids-u-know-animated-feature-mars-sets-tribeca-world-premiere/ |access-date=January 24, 2025}}</ref>

In 2008, Cregger made his first film appearance in Deb Hagan's directorial debut ''[[College (2008 film)|College]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Trevor |title=Self Suck Saturday |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9F2UuOmDhD5VU4cid0wnsCfj89kLtiL |website=Youtube |publisher=wkukVODS}}</ref> In 2011, he joined the cast of the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[Friends with Benefits (TV series)|Friends with Benefits]]''. He then starred on the NBC sitcom ''[[Guys with Kids]]'' from 2012 to 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/guys-with-kids/about/bio/cast/zach-cregger/585225 |title=Zach Cregger Bio &#124; Nick &#124; Guys with Kids |publisher=NBC |access-date=October 28, 2012}}</ref> From 2016 to 2018, he starred as Owen O'Connor on the [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] sitcom ''[[Wrecked (TV series)|Wrecked]]''.

Cregger wrote and directed the 2022 horror film ''[[Barbarian (2022 film)|Barbarian]]'', starring [[Georgina Campbell]], [[Bill Skarsgård]], and [[Justin Long]]. He wrote and directed the 2025 horror film ''[[Weapons (2025 film)|Weapons]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/new-line-hot-package-weapons-zach-cregger-directing-his-script-1235240744/|title=New Line Lands Hot Package 'Weapons'; 'Barbarian's Zach Cregger To Helm His Script|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=January 25, 2023|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/barbarian-director-zach-creggers-weapons-1235308587/|title=New Line Wins Intense Auction for 'Weapons,' the New Movie From 'Barbarian' Filmmaker Zach Cregger|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=January 25, 2023|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/barbarian-writer-director-zach-cregger-new-film-weapons-bidding-war|title=''Barbarian'' Writer/Director Zach Cregger's Next Film Weapons Is Reportedly a "Multistory Horror Epic" Similar to ''Magnolia''|last=Rindner|first=Grant|date=January 25, 2023|website=[[GQ]]|access-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref>

In January 2025, it was announced that Cregger would write and direct [[Resident Evil (2026 film)|an upcoming horror film]] based on the ''[[Resident Evil (film series)|Resident Evil]]'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2025-01-24 |title=Zach Cregger to Tackle 'Resident Evil' Reboot, Igniting Bidding War (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/resident-evil-reboot-zach-cregger-1236117563/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2025, it was announced that he will serve as a producer on a feature film adaptation of ''[[Torso (Image Comics)|Torso]]'' for [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/torso-movie-zach-cregger-netflix-1236449285/|title= Netflix Teams with Roy Lee, Zach Cregger to Tackle Brian Michael Bendis-Marc Andreyko Graphic Novel 'Torso' (Exclusive)|date= December 12, 2025|access-date= January 26, 2026|first= Borys|last= Kit|work= The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2013, Cregger met [[Sara Paxton]] in Austin, Texas on the set of ''[[Love & Air Sex]]'' while playing an on-screen couple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happened-to-sara-paxton|title = Sara Paxton from 'Aquamarine' is Now Starring in Horror Films and Has a Celebrity Fiancé|date = August 20, 2019}}</ref> The couple became engaged in 2018 and married the following year in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-20 |title=We're Making a Splash With This Aquamarine Cast Check In |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1243724/see-the-stars-of-aquamarine-then-now |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=E! Online}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
! Producer
!Others
! Notes
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Miss March]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| Co-directed and co-written with [[Trevor Moore (comedian)|Trevor Moore]]
|-
| 2011
| ''The Civil War on Drugs''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Partial|Executive}}
| {{No}}
| Co-directed with [[Trevor Moore (comedian)|Trevor Moore]]<ref>https://www.primevideo.com/-/en/detail/The-Whitest-Kids-U-Know-Present-The-Civil-War-on-Drugs/0MW8NFGV6O8WB6RRX06XADDS8K</ref>
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Barbarian (2022 film)|Barbarian]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
|2024
|''[[Mars (2024 film)|Mars]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|Co-written with [[The Whitest Kids U' Know]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=2025-09-03 |title=The Whitest Kids U Know Adult Animated Comedy 'Mars' Set for Deluxe Blu-ray Set in 2026 |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/09/the-whitest-kids-u-know-adult-animated-comedy-mars-set-for-deluxe-blu-ray-set-in-2026/ |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=Animation Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2025
| ''[[Companion (film)|Companion]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3749524/companion-zach-cregger-producing-mysterious-horror-movie-for-new-line/|title='Companion' – Zach Cregger Producing Mysterious Horror Movie for New Line|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=John|last=Squires|date=February 1, 2023|access-date=May 15, 2024|archive-date=May 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515033923/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3749524/companion-zach-cregger-producing-mysterious-horror-movie-for-new-line/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3809527/new-lines-companion-from-barbarian-team-has-been-rated-r-for-strong-violence-sexual-content/|title=New Line's 'Companion' from 'Barbarian' Team Has Been Rated "R" for "Strong Violence" & "Sexual Content"|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=John|last=Squires|date=April 24, 2024|access-date=May 15, 2024|archive-date=May 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515040034/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3809527/new-lines-companion-from-barbarian-team-has-been-rated-r-for-strong-violence-sexual-content/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Weapons (2025 film)|Weapons]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|Also composer
|-
| 2026
| ''[[Resident Evil (2026 film)|Resident Evil]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| Post-production
|}

'''Acting roles'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2008
| ''[[College (2008 film)|College]]''
| Cooper
|
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Miss March]]''
| Eugene Bell
| 
|-
|rowspan=2| 2011
| ''The Civil War on Drugs''
| [[Abraham Lincoln]] / various roles
| 
|-
| ''[[The Death and Return of Superman (film)|The Death and Return of Superman]]''
| [[Hal Jordan|Hal Jordan / Green Lantern]]
| Short film
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Love & Air Sex]]''
| Jeff
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Date and Switch]]''
| Greg
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Opening Night (2016 film)|Opening Night]]''
| Micky 
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Doubting Thomas (2018 film)|Doubting Thomas]]''
| Graham
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Barbarian (2022 film)|Barbarian]]''
| Everett
|
|-
| 2024
| ''[[The Whitest Kids U' Know#Mars|Mars]]''
| Various
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
! Producer
!Other
! Notes
|-
| 2004
| ''The Lounge''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2004–2006
| ''[[Uncle Morty's Dub Shack]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2006
| ''Comedy Zen''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
|2007–2011
|''[[The Whitest Kids U' Know]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Partial|Executive}}
| {{Yes}}
|Also co-creator
|-
|2021
|''[[Sasquatch (TV series)|Sasquatch]]''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Partial|Executive}}
| {{No}}
|Documentary series
|}'''Acting roles'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Homicide: Life on the Street]]''
| Dean Stamper
| Episode: "Brotherly Love"
|-
| 2007–2011
| ''The Whitest Kids U' Know''
| Various roles
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Friends with Benefits (TV series)|Friends with Benefits]] ''
| Aaron
| rowspan="2" | Main role
|-
| 2012–2013
| ''[[Guys with Kids]]''
| Nick
|-
| 2014
| ''[[About a Boy (TV series)|About a Boy]]''
| T.J.
| Recurring role
|-
| 2015
| ''[[The McCarthys]]''
| Doug
| Episode: "The Ref"
|-
| 2016–2018
| ''[[Wrecked (TV series)|Wrecked]]''
| Owen
| Main role
|-
|rowspan=2| 2019
| ''[[Adam Ruins Everything]]''
| Berch
| Episode: "Adam Ruins Nature"
|-
| ''[[Just Roll with It]]''
| Brent
| Episode: "Gator's Reunion"
|}

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year 
! Award 
! Category
! Film
! Result
! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 2023
| rowspan="2" | [[2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards|''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Awards]]
| Best Director
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Barbarian (2022 film)|Barbarian]]''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Jordan Peele's 'Nope,' Ti West's 'Pearl' Lead Fangoria's Chainsaw Award Nominations |url=https://variety.com/2023/awards/news/fangoria-2023-chainsaw-awards-nominations-1235502663/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=[[Variety (website)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| Best Screenplay
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" align="center" | 2026
| [[9th Astra Film Awards|Astra Film Awards]]
| [[Astra Film Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
| rowspan="4" | ''[[Weapons (2025 film)|Weapons]]''
| {{nom}}
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |last=Alter |first=Ethan |date=November 25, 2025 |title='One Battle After Another' leads Astra Film Awards Nominations |url=https://www.goldderby.com/film/2025/astra-film-awards-2025-one-battle-after-another/ |access-date=November 25, 2025 |website=[[GoldDerby]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[31st Critics' Choice Awards|Critics' Choice Awards]]
| [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-critics-choice-awards-nominations-full-list-1236443345/ |title=Critics Choice Awards Nominations: 'Sinners' Leads with 17 Nods |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 5, 2025 |access-date=December 5, 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[37th Producers Guild of America Awards|Producers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture|Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures]]
| {{pending}}
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Hilary |title=Producers Guild Awards Movie Nominations Include ''F1'', ''One Battle After Another'', ''Sentimental Value'', ''Sinners'', ''Weapons'' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-producers-guild-awards-movie-tv-nominations-list-1236468468/ |access-date=January 12, 2026 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 9, 2026}}</ref>
|-
| | [[78th Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
| {{pending}}
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|last=Zee|first=Michaela|title=Writers Guild Awards Nominations: ‘Sinners,’ ‘Marty Supreme’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ Among the Nominees |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/writers-guild-awards-2026-nominations-1236642509/|date=January 27, 2026|access-date=January 27, 2026|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|1199107}}

{{Zach Cregger|nocat=1}}
{{St. Louis Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cregger, Zach}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American horror film directors]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television writers]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:Comedians from Virginia]]
[[Category:Film directors from Virginia]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Virginia]]
[[Category:The Field School alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Zach Cregger|access_date=2026-03-08}}