Zach Galifianakis is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who has an estimated net worth of $50 million. He rose to global fame through his role in The Hangover trilogy and as the creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning web talk show Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.
Galifianakis built his wealth through film salaries, television work, stand-up comedy, writing, producing credits, and streaming projects.
| Zach Galifianakis Net Worth | $50 Million |
| Date of Birth | October 1, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Wilkesboro |
Early Life
Zachary Knight Galifianakis was born on October 1, 1969, in Wilkesboro. His mother, Mary Frances, owned a community arts center, while his father, Harry Galifianakis, worked as a heating oil vendor.
He has Greek heritage from his father’s side, tracing roots to Crete, and Scottish ancestry from his mother’s side. He grew up with two siblings: an older brother, Greg, and a younger sister, Merritt.
After graduating from Wilkes Central High School, he attended North Carolina State University, where he studied communications before pursuing a career in entertainment.
Career Beginnings
Galifianakis began his entertainment career on television.
Early appearances included:
- Guest role on the NBC sitcom Boston Common
- A short stint as a writer on Saturday Night Live
In 2001, he gained wider recognition after appearing on Comedy Central Presents, performing stand-up comedy while incorporating piano segments.
The success of this appearance led to his VH1 talk show Late World with Zach in 2002.
Rise in Television and Film
As his television presence grew, Galifianakis appeared in several series, including:
- Tru Calling
- Reno 911!
- Jimmy Kimmel Live!
At the same time, he began taking small film roles in early 2000s comedies such as:
- Out Cold
- Corky Romano
- Bubble Boy
In 2006, he starred in Dog Bites Man, a satirical program parodying local news coverage.
Breakthrough Success
Galifianakis gained cult popularity through stand-up comedy and alternative comedy tours. He was part of the Comedians of Comedy tour alongside Patton Oswalt and Maria Bamford, performing in rock venues to reach new audiences.
He also released the stand-up special Zach Galifianakis Live at the Purple Onion, one of the earliest original comedy programs distributed by Netflix.
Between Two Ferns
In 2008, Galifianakis launched Between Two Ferns on Funny or Die.
The show features awkward celebrity interviews and became an internet sensation. Guests have included:
- Barack Obama
- Jennifer Aniston
- Justin Bieber
- Bradley Cooper
Galifianakis also served as a producer and won a Primetime Emmy Award for the show. Its success led to the Netflix film adaptation Between Two Ferns: The Movie.
The Hangover Trilogy
Galifianakis achieved mainstream stardom portraying Alan Garner in The Hangover (2009).
The film became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy at the time and turned him into a household name. He reprised the role in:
- The Hangover Part II
- The Hangover Part III
He won the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for his role.
Hangover Salary
Before the first film, Galifianakis and co-stars Ed Helms and Justin Bartha were relatively unknown.
- Combined salaries for the first film were under $1 million
- The movie grossed $470 million worldwide
- The sequel earned nearly $600 million
For the sequels, Galifianakis negotiated major backend deals and earned approximately $30 million from the second film alone. Overall, he earned tens of millions from the trilogy.
Other Film and Voice Work
Beyond The Hangover, Galifianakis has appeared in numerous films, including:
- Up in the Air
- Dinner for Schmucks
- Due Date
- The Campaign
- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
He has also done voice acting in animated films such as:
- Puss in Boots
- The Lego Batman Movie
Personal Life
Galifianakis married Quinn Lundberg in 2012. She co-founded the nonprofit organization Growing Voices.
The couple has two sons, born in 2013 and 2016.
He owns a farm in Sparta and splits his time between farm life and entertainment work.
Zach Galifianakis Income Sources
Zach Galifianakis’ net worth comes from multiple streams:
Film Salaries and Backend Deals
Major earnings from blockbuster comedies, especially The Hangover franchise.
Television & Streaming Projects
Income from hosting, producing, and licensing projects like Between Two Ferns.
Stand-Up Comedy
Touring and comedy specials remain a significant revenue stream.
Voice Acting & Producing
Animation roles and production credits contribute to his income.
Zach Galifianakis Net Worth
Zach Galifianakis net worth $50 million.
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