---
name: "Steve Zahn"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/steve-zahn"
fi1m_id: "steve-zahn"
imdb_id: "nm0001872"
tmdb_id: 18324
wikidata_id: "Q491775"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 November 1967"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-23T04:09:43.840384+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Steve Zahn

## Identity

Steve Zahn

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/steve-zahn
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** steve-zahn
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001872
- **TMDB ID:** 18324
- **Wikidata ID:** Q491775
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Zahn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q491775, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001872/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/18324

Actor. Born 13 November 1967 in Marshall, Minnesota, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 November 1967, Marshall, Minnesota, USA
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Also known as:** Steven James Zahn
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 74 (4), 2000s 55 (2), 2010s 74 (4), 2020s 80 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 68 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 7, Drama 7, Family 2, Romance 2, Adventure 1, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,514m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Zahn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q491775, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001872/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/18324

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Treme*](https://film.one/tv/treme.md) (82), [*Friends*](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) (78), [*War for the Planet of the Apes*](https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md) (74)
- **Netflix:** [*Stuart Little*](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md) (66)
- **Apple TV:** [*You've Got Mail*](https://film.one/film/youve-got-mail.md) (66)
- **Tubi:** [*Captain Fantastic*](https://film.one/film/captain-fantastic.md) (63)
- **Disney+:** [*Chicken Little*](https://film.one/film/chicken-little.md) (42)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Steve Zahn

> Steve Zahn makes foolish men worth caring about, allowing vulnerability into parts that could settle for being funny. We rate his warmth and physical comedy, with one reservation: even a welcome supporting actor can be given too much room.

Steve Zahn’s Glenn Michaels is permanently stoned and out of his depth in *Out of Sight* (1998). Zahn makes that a good reason to keep watching him, even when the story has other business to attend to. We laughed at Glenn because his confusion is so amiable; Zahn lets us enjoy the foolishness without treating the fool with contempt. That kindness is a substantial part of his appeal. He can play a supporting comic character whose vulnerability matters as much as the joke.

*Reality Bites* (1994) established the slacker persona that kept him busy and made him easy to underestimate. Those amiable supporting parts suited him, but they could also encourage the assumption that amiability was all he had to offer. A starring role in *Happy, Texas* (1999) gave his physical comedy more space. A more demanding dramatic part came with Werner Herzog’s *Rescue Dawn* (2007), as Duane W. Martin. It is a useful corrective for anyone who remembers only the stoners.

Soderbergh’s *Out of Sight* also shows how a good supporting performance can be overused. Glenn gets more room than the story needs, particularly as the Detroit half becomes busier and the violence arrives. The performance remains enjoyable, but we start to notice the time being spent on it. Zahn’s likeability cannot settle a question of proportion that belongs to the director and the script. We would happily have seen less of Glenn if it meant keeping the film’s early ease.

Television gave him a sustained place in an ensemble as Davis McAlary in *Treme* (2010–2013). He also played Bad Ape through voice and motion capture in *War for the Planet of the Apes* (2017). Neither credit needs to be treated as a startling reinvention before we can take the actor seriously. Start with *Out of Sight*, then try *Rescue Dawn* if the amiable stoner is still the only Zahn you recognise.

## Biography

Steve Zahn is an American actor. He was born Steven James Zahn on 13 November 1967 in Marshall, Minnesota, and trained at the Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University.

He is known for film roles including Glenn Michaels in *Out of Sight* (1998), George Pappas in *You've Got Mail* (1998), Monty in *Stuart Little* (1999), Tucker in *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), Dave in *Captain Fantastic* (2016) and Bad Ape in *War for the Planet of the Apes* (2017). His voice work includes Thunderclap in *The Good Dinosaur* (2015) and Runt of the Litter in *Chicken Little* (2005). On television he has appeared in *Friends*, *Modern Family* and *Silo* (2023).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

- *Silo* (2023), Fi1m 75, as Solo — [page](https://film.one/tv/silo.md)
- *The White Lotus* (2021), Fi1m 85, as Mark Mossbacher — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-white-lotus.md)
- *War for the Planet of the Apes* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Bad Ape — [page](https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Captain Fantastic* (2016), Fi1m 63, as Dave — [page](https://film.one/film/captain-fantastic.md)
- *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), Fi1m 75, as Tucker — [page](https://film.one/film/dallas-buyers-club.md)
- *Treme* (2010), Fi1m 82, as Davis McAlary — [page](https://film.one/tv/treme.md)
- *Chicken Little* (2005), Fi1m 42, as Runt of the Litter (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-little.md)
- *Hamlet* (2000), Fi1m 68, as Rosencrantz — [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet-2000.md)
- *Stuart Little* (1999), Fi1m 66, as Monty (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), Fi1m 86, as Glenn Michaels — [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *You've Got Mail* (1998), Fi1m 66, as George Pappas — [page](https://film.one/film/youve-got-mail.md)
- *Friends* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Duncan — [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)

## Complete filmography (96)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Nevatars* (2026), as Farty McFly
- *She Dances* (2026), as Jason · Producer, Writer
- *Anaconda* (2025), as Kenny Trent
- *Chad Powers* (2025), series, as Coach Jake Hudson
- *Eenie Meanie* (2025), as Dad Meaney
- *Wildcat* (2024), as Tom T. Shiftlet
- *LaRoy, Texas* (2024), as Skip Roche
- *Silo* (2023), series, as Solo — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/silo.md)
- *Gringa* (2023), as Jackson
- *Your Place or Mine* (2023), as Zen
- *Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again* (2022), as Jedediah (voice)
- *George & Tammy* (2022), series, as George Richey
- *The Last Movie Stars* (2022), series, as Donald 'Duck' Dobbins (voice)
- *Tall Girl 2* (2022), as Richie Kreyman
- *8-Bit Christmas* (2021), as John Doyle
- *The White Lotus* (2021), series, as Mark Mossbacher — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-white-lotus.md)
- *Uncle Frank* (2020), as Mike
- *The Good Lord Bird* (2020), series, as Chase
- *Cowboys* (2020), as Troy
- *Tall Girl* (2019), as Richie Kreyman
- *The Righteous Gemstones* (2019), series, as Peter Montgomery
- *Where'd You Go, Bernadette* (2019), as David Walker
- *Valley of the Boom* (2019), series, as Micheal Fayne
- *Blaze* (2018), as Oilman 2
- *Lean on Pete* (2018), as Silver
- *The Crossing* (2018), series, as Jude Ellis
- *War for the Planet of the Apes* (2017), as Bad Ape — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Captain Fantastic* (2016), as Dave — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/captain-fantastic.md)
- *The Ridiculous 6* (2015), as Clem
- *The Good Dinosaur* (2015), as Thunderclap (voice)
- *Mad Dogs* (2015), series, as Cobi
- *Mind Games* (2014), series, as Clark Edwards
- *Knights of Badassdom* (2014), as Eric
- *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), as Tucker — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/dallas-buyers-club.md)
- *Escape from Planet Earth* (2013), as Hawk (voice)
- *Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Class Clown* (2012), as Frank Heffley (voice) (archive sound)
- *Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja* (2012), series, as Terry McFist (voice)
- *Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days* (2012), as Frank Heffley
- *Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules* (2011), as Frank Heffley
- *Treme* (2010), series, as Davis McAlary — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/treme.md)
- *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* (2010), as Frank Heffley
- *WWII in HD* (2009), series, as Nolen Marbrey (voice)
- *Calvin Marshall* (2009), as Coach Little
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Ronnie LaFontaine — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *A Perfect Getaway* (2009), as Cliff
- *Night Train* (2009), as Pete
- *Management* (2009), as Mike
- *Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs and a Baby* (2008), as Sandy Pig (voice)
- *Strange Wilderness* (2008), as Peter
- *Sunshine Cleaning* (2008), as Mac
- *The Great Buck Howard* (2008), as Kenny
- *Comanche Moon* (2008), series, as Gus McCrae
- *Phineas and Ferb* (2007), series, as Swampy (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/phineas-and-ferb.md)
- *Rescue Dawn* (2007), as Duane
- *Bandidas* (2006), as Quentin
- *Chicken Little* (2005), as Runt of the Litter (voice) — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-little.md)
- *Sahara* (2005), as Al Giordino
- *Speak* (2004), as Mr. Freeman
- *Employee of the Month* (2004), as Jack
- *Shattered Glass* (2003), as Adam Penenberg
- *Daddy Day Care* (2003), as Marvin
- *National Security* (2003), as Hank Rafferty
- *Stuart Little 2* (2002), as Monty (voice)
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Jack Monk, Jr.
- *Riding in Cars with Boys* (2001), as Ray Hasek
- *Joy Ride* (2001), as Fuller
- *Chelsea Walls* (2001), as Ross
- *Wolf Lake* (2001), series, as Fletch (uncredited)
- *Dr. Dolittle 2* (2001), as Archie (voice)
- *Chain of Fools* (2001), as Kresk
- *Saving Silverman* (2001), as Wayne Lefessier
- *Hamlet* (2000), as Rosencrantz — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet-2000.md)
- *Stuart Little* (1999), as Monty (voice) — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md)
- *Happy, Texas* (1999), as Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.
- *Freak Talks About Sex* (1999), as Freak
- *Forces of Nature* (1999), as Alan
- *You've Got Mail* (1998), as George Pappas — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/youve-got-mail.md)
- *Safe Men* (1998), as Eddie
- *Out of Sight* (1998), as Glenn Michaels — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *The Object of My Affection* (1998), as Frank Hanson
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Elliot See
- *Liberty!* (1997), series, as American Sergeant
- *Subway Stories* (1997), as Tucker  (segment "The 5:24")
- *SubUrbia* (1997), as Buff
- *That Thing You Do!* (1996), as Lenny Haise
- *Race the Sun* (1996), as Hans Kooiman
- *Picture Windows: Armed Response* (1995), as Crook
- *Crimson Tide* (1995), as Seaman William Barnes
- *Friends* (1994), series, as Duncan — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *Reality Bites* (1994), as Sammy Gray
- *Normandy: The Great Crusade* (1994), as Bill Preston (voice)
- *Rain Without Thunder* (1993), as Jeremy Tanner
- *First Love, Fatal Love* (1991), Actor
- *Hello & Paris*, Actor
- *Time Out*, Actor
- *Sentinel*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Steve Zahn](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-15da3e24f16f.jpg) Steve Zahn — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-48_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-48_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Audrey Zahn Rick Gomez Steve Zahn during the She Dances premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-ca90da628a42.jpg) Audrey Zahn Rick Gomez Steve Zahn during the She Dances premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Audrey_Zahn_Rick_Gomez_Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-68.jpg/1280px-Audrey_Zahn_Rick_Gomez_Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-68.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Audrey and Steve Zahn during the She Dances premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-782b07a652d9.jpg) Audrey and Steve Zahn during the She Dances premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Audrey_and_Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-38.jpg/1280px-Audrey_and_Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-38.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Audrey and Steve Zahn during the She Dances premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-30431a813055.jpg) Audrey and Steve Zahn during the She Dances premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Audrey_and_Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-40.jpg/1280px-Audrey_and_Steve_Zahn_She_Dances-40.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Steve Zahn](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-4cf860b923e2.jpg) Steve Zahn — Image via TMDB
- ![Steve Zahn](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-d7e39497ee07.jpg) Steve Zahn — Image via TMDB
- ![Steve Zahn](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-4fca0ef91f0e.jpg) Steve Zahn — Image via TMDB
- ![Cast and Crew of She Dances at the 2025 Tribeca Festival](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-a136995af236.jpg) Cast and Crew of She Dances at the 2025 Tribeca Festival — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Cast_and_Crew_of_She_Dances-73.jpg/1280px-Cast_and_Crew_of_She_Dances-73.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and Crew of She Dances at the 2025 Tribeca Festival](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-9dd779464713.jpg) Cast and Crew of She Dances at the 2025 Tribeca Festival — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Cast_and_Crew_of_She_Dances-75.jpg/1280px-Cast_and_Crew_of_She_Dances-75.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Steve Zahn](https://film.one/media/person/9874/gallery-c8627f185227.jpg) Steve Zahn — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/steve-zahn