Apr 6, 1975
Aries
South Orange, NJ
50 years old
N/A
N/A
TV Actor
Full Name, Age & Place of Birth
Zachary Israel Braff was born on April 6, 1975, in South Orange, New Jersey, USA. As of June 2025, he is 50 years old .
Family Background & Early Life
Zach is the son of Harold Irwin Braff, a trial attorney and sociology professor, and Anne Hutchinson Brodzinsky, a clinical psychologist . He grew up in South Orange, alongside his brother Joshua, a writer . From a young age, he had a passion for acting and filmmaking, even managing obsessive–compulsive disorder diagnosed at age 10 . He trained at Stagedoor Manor and later attended Columbia High School, graduating before earning a BA in Film from Northwestern University in 1997 .
Breakthrough Role: Scrubs
Zach soared to fame as Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian on Scrubs (2001–2010), the quirky medical comedy created by Bill Lawrence. His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2005 and three Golden Globe nominations between 2005 and 2007 . He also served as producer and directed seven episodes, including the Peabody-winning 100th episode, “My Way Home” .
Film & Directorial Work
Film debut: The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000).
Garden State (2004): Wrote, directed, and starred. Made for $2.5 M, grossed $35 M+, received cult acclaim and won a Grammy for Best Soundtrack .
Wish I Was Here (2014): Another self-written/directorial effort.
Voice roles: Chicken Little (2005) and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) .
A Good Person (2023): Wrote, directed, produced a drama starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman, filmed in his real hometown and praised for its emotional depth .
Cheaper by the Dozen (2022): Co-starred alongside Gabrielle Union in Disney+ remake .
Recent & Upcoming Projects
Bad Monkey (Apple TV+, 2025): Guest-starring opposite Vince Vaughn—recent festival buzz included his memorable turn as a “horrible corpse” .
Scrubs reboot (ABC): Zach is confirmed to return as J.D. Dorian in a limited revival alongside original cast members .
Created and starred in Alex, Inc. (ABC, 2018), a single-season sitcom based on podcasting .
Personal Insights & Legacy
Braff has been open about battling depression as a young actor, crediting music—especially Coldplay—for helping him pull through . He maintains close, longstanding friendships with castmates like Donald Faison (their podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends launched in 2020) . On-screen and behind the camera, his work embodies authenticity and emotional resonance.
What Makes Him Stand Out
Zach Braff is a rare multi-hyphenate talent—actor, director, writer, and producer—who blurred the line between indie sensibility and mainstream appeal. From the surreal humor of Scrubs to the heartfelt realism of Garden State and A Good Person, his creative journey reflects genuine dedication to storytelling that balances levity with heart.
