Zack Gottsagen

Zachary Robin Gottsagen (born April 22, 1985) is an American actor. He had a breakout role for the film The Peanut Butter Falcon.

Zack Gottsagen
Born
Zachary Robin Gottsagen

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

Career

His screen debut happened as an infant in a 1985 instructional film on natural childbirth.[1]

While at Zeno Mountain Farm, a camp for people with and without disabilities, Gottsagen met filmmakers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. Per Gottsagen's request for Nilson and Schwartz to make a movie with Gottsagen as the star, Nilson and Schwartz wrote and directed The Peanut Butter Falcon. In the movie Gottsagen plays the 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 series 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]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Work Result Ref.
2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival Rising Star Award The Peanut Butter Falcon Won [8]
Hollywood Critics Association Newcomer Award The Peanut Butter Falcon Won [9]

References
  1. "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. 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. "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. Gonzalez, Umberto (December 4, 2019). "Zack Gottsagen to Receive Rising Star Award From Palm Springs International Film Festival". The Wrap. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2020). "'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Star Zack Gottsagen Inks Talent Deal With Kapital Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
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