Zach Galifianakis

A comedian with various ties to the music industry, Zach Galifianakis was raised in North Carolina before striking out for New York City in 1992. Galifianakis originally pursued work as an actor, landing a recurring role in the short-lived sitcom Boston Common in 1996 before making the jump to film. Corky Romano, Below, Bubble Boy, and Heartbreakers increased his public profile, as did humorous roles in several Comedy Central programs (including Reno 911!, where Galifianakis played the role of Frisbee). Now known predominantly for his humor, he joined fellow comics Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, and Maria Bamford in the Comedians of Comedy, a standup comedy group that toured the country during the mid-2000s. He then set his sights on the music industry, where he appeared in the music video for Fiona Apple's "Not About Love" in 2006. The video wasn't his only collaboration with Apple, however, as the two teamed up for the comedic rap song "Come Over and Get It (Up in 'Dem Guts)" that same year. Galifianakis released a video of his standup routine, =Live at the Purple Onion, in 2007, and also starred in an alternate music video for Kanye West's "Can't Tell Me Nothing." ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide