Zack Gottsagen

Zack Gottsagen
Born
Zachary Robin Gottsagen

(1985-04-22) April 22, 1985 (age 39)
United States
OccupationActor
Years active2019–present

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.

Career

His 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

Film

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

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

  1. ^ a b "Zack Gottsagen - 2018 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award Recipient". Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "'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.
  4. ^ a b Isaza, Marcela (2019-12-17). "Breakthrough Entertainer: Zack Gottsagen realizes a dream". Associated Press. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b "Zack Gottsagen". Reel Abilities. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  7. ^ Kranking, Emily (March 27, 2020). "5+ Independent Movies Starring Actors With Disabilities You Can Stream". The Mighty. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "'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.
  9. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (December 4, 2019). "Zack Gottsagen to Receive Rising Star Award From Palm Springs International Film Festival". The Wrap. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2020). "'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Star Zack Gottsagen Inks Talent Deal With Kapital Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved November 30, 2020.