---
name: "Zach Grenier"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/zach-grenier"
fi1m_id: "zach-grenier"
imdb_id: "nm0340260"
tmdb_id: 7471
wikidata_id: "Q139341"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "12 February 1954"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-05T05:11:30.714770+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."
---

# Zach Grenier

## Identity

Zach Grenier

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/zach-grenier
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** zach-grenier
- **IMDb ID:** nm0340260
- **TMDB ID:** 7471
- **Wikidata ID:** Q139341
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Grenier, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139341, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0340260/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7471

Actor. Born 12 February 1954 in Englewood, New Jersey, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 12 February 1954, Englewood, New Jersey, USA
- **Active:** 1988–present
- **Also known as:** James Hampton Grenier, Zachary Grenier, Zack Grenier
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (1), 1990s 76 (4), 2000s 80 (4), 2010s 63 (1), 2020s 70 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 72 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Crime 4, Thriller 4, Action 3, Adventure 3, Mystery 3
- **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,479m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Grenier, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139341, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0340260/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7471

## Streaming the US now

- **Paramount+:** [*Zodiac*](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md) (91), [*The Good Wife*](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) (84)
- **Disney+:** [*Devs*](https://film.one/tv/devs.md) (68), [*Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer*](https://film.one/film/fantastic-four-rise-of-the-silver-surfer.md) (52)
- **Netflix:** [*Donnie Brasco*](https://film.one/film/donnie-brasco.md) (84)

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

## Fi1m on Zach Grenier

> Zach Grenier is particularly good at making professional authority feel faintly unwelcome. We rate his subtle work in ensembles, though being so readily cast as the man in charge can make the next role too easy to anticipate.

The regional manager in *Fight Club* (1999) is exactly the sort of man Zach Grenier makes convincing: professionally established, with little warmth to spare. As Richard Chesler, he gives David Fincher's satire a familiar kind of corporate authority alongside Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. We found the violence uncomfortable because Norton and Pitt make the male self-pity behind it recognisable. The speeches can grow tiresome, but the performances keep the film from becoming merely a lecture, and Grenier's smaller contribution fits that approach.

*Donnie Brasco* (1997) casts him as Dr. Berger, a marriage therapist, rather than another corporate figure. We rate the film highly for the uneasy friendship played by Al Pacino and Johnny Depp, though the family story is thin. That weakness makes the therapist's role a less promising place to take the measure of Grenier than the film's quality might suggest. Neither film needs him to dominate, and his willingness to remain part of the ensemble is a strength worth noticing.

His work has not simply consisted of finding another desk. *Talk Radio* (1988), in which he played Sid Greenberg, carried a role from the original stage production into film. Television gave him the recurring part of Andy Cramed in *Deadwood* (2004–06), while *Zodiac* (2007) reunited him with Fincher as Mel Nicolai. The more substantial turn was David Lee, the senior divorce lawyer in *The Good Wife* (2010–16), who became a signature part and gave that familiar professional authority longer to develop.

Lee gives the steeliness a specific purpose: this is a lawyer determined to protect his own position. Grenier's subtlety matters here, since a character concerned above all with looking after himself could easily become tiresome. He is good at remaining interesting within an ensemble without making every appearance a special event. The reservation is predictability: repeated casting as authority figures can mean we recognise the type before we attend to the performance. Start with *The Good Wife* if you want to see him given room to work.

## Biography

Zach Grenier is an American actor known for roles in film, television and stage. He was born in Englewood, New Jersey, and attended the University of Michigan and Boston University.

He appeared as Dr. Berger in the 1997 film *Donnie Brasco*. Other film credits include *Twister* (1996), *Tommy Boy* (1995), *Fight Club* (1999) as Richard Chesler, and *Zodiac* (2007) as Mel Nicolai. On television he played Andy Cramed in *Deadwood* (2004–06) and David Lee in *The Good Wife* (2010–16) and its spinoff *The Good Fight* (2017–22).

Grenier received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the 2009 Broadway production of *33 Variations*.

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

## On Fi1m (12)

- *She Said* (2022), Fi1m 73, as Irwin Reiter — [page](https://film.one/film/she-said.md)
- *Devs* (2020), Fi1m 68, as Kenton — [page](https://film.one/tv/devs.md)
- *The Blacklist* (2013), Fi1m 63, as Novak — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *The Good Wife* (2009), Fi1m 84, as David Lee — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer* (2007), Fi1m 52, as Mr. Sherman / Rafke — [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-four-rise-of-the-silver-surfer.md)
- *Zodiac* (2007), Fi1m 91, as Mel Nicolai — [page](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md)
- *Deadwood* (2004), Fi1m 91, as Andy Cramed — [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *Fight Club* (1999), Fi1m 81, as Richard Chesler (Regional Manager) — [page](https://film.one/film/fight-club.md)
- *Donnie Brasco* (1997), Fi1m 84, as Dr. Berger — [page](https://film.one/film/donnie-brasco.md)
- *Twister* (1996), Fi1m 64, as Eddie — [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *Cliffhanger* (1993), Fi1m 74, as Davis — [page](https://film.one/film/cliffhanger.md)
- *Working Girl* (1988), Fi1m 80, as Jim — [page](https://film.one/film/working-girl.md)

## Complete filmography (90)

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

- *Her Song* (2026), as Dave
- *She Said* (2022), as Irwin Reiter — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/she-said.md)
- *FBI: International* (2021), series, as Graham Simons
- *Devs* (2020), series, as Kenton — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/devs.md)
- *FBI: Most Wanted* (2020), series, as Vasily Matrushok
- *God Friended Me* (2018), series, as James Abbott
- *FBI* (2018), series, as Peter, Peter Olsen
- *Off in the Far Away Somewhere: Georgia O’Keeffe’s Hawaii* (2018), as Alfred Stieglitz
- *Crown Heights* (2017), as Detective Cassel
- *The Good Fight* (2017), series, as David Lee
- *BrainDead* (2016), series, as Dean Healy
- *Manhattan Romance* (2015), as Trevor
- *Blindspot* (2015), series, as Herman
- *Free the Nipple* (2014), as Jim Black
- *Turks & Caicos* (2014), as Dido Parsons
- *RoboCop* (2014), as Senator Hubert Dreyfus
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Novak — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Ray Donovan* (2013), series, as Ed Feratti
- *J. Edgar* (2011), as John Condon
- *Earthwork* (2011), as The Mayor
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as David Lee — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond* (2008), as Mr. Fenstermaker
- *Rescue Dawn* (2007), as Squad Leader
- *Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer* (2007), as Mr. Sherman / Rafke — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-four-rise-of-the-silver-surfer.md)
- *Zodiac* (2007), as Mel Nicolai — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md)
- *The Nine* (2006), series, Actor
- *Pulse* (2006), as Professor Cardiff
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Peyton Shoemaker
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Leonard Cardwell
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as U.S. Attorney Chris Randolph — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Ross Howell
- *Deadwood* (2004), series, as Andy Cramed — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *Touching Evil* (2004), series, as Special Agent Hank Enright
- *Cold Case* (2003), series, as Ambrose Stone (1919)
- *Veritas: The Quest* (2003), series, as Hossik
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Ricardo
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Professor Meyer
- *24* (2001), series, as Carl Webb — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Renth
- *The Guardian* (2001), series, as Henry Thomas
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Norman Farrell
- *Swordfish* (2001), as A.D. Joy
- *Laughter on the 23rd Floor* (2001), as Brian
- *Chasing Sleep* (2001), as Geoffrey
- *The Whistle-Blower* (2001), as Louis T. Weitzman
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Lane Michaelson — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Dr. Kachler
- *Shaft* (2000), as Harrison Loeb
- *Ride with the Devil* (1999), as Mr. Evans
- *Fight Club* (1999), as Richard Chesler (Regional Manager) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/fight-club.md)
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Judge Miranski
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Dr. Norman Golden
- *Under the bridge* (1998), as John
- *C-16: FBI* (1997), series, as Jack DiRado
- *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Attorney Benson — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/ally-mcbeal.md)
- *Cafe Society* (1997), as Milton Macka
- *White Lies* (1997), as Terry Seabrooks
- *Drunks* (1997), as Al
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Detective R. Larson
- *Donnie Brasco* (1997), as Dr. Berger — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/donnie-brasco.md)
- *Mother Night* (1996), as Joseph Goebbels
- *Maximum Risk* (1996), as Ivan Dzasokhov
- *Gang in Blue* (1996), as Joe Beckstrem
- *Twister* (1996), as Eddie — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *Reckless* (1995), as Anchor Person Re: Trish
- *New York News* (1995), series, as Mike Paretti
- *JAG* (1995), series, as Colonel Boyett
- *The Stars Fell on Henrietta* (1995), as Larry Ligstow (owner of Greek restaurant)
- *Tommy Boy* (1995), as Ted Reilly
- *Normandy: The Great Crusade* (1994), as Robert Slaughter (voice)
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Dr. Herman Stites — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *The Man Without a Face* (1993), as Dr. Lionel Talbot, Psychiatrist
- *Cliffhanger* (1993), as Davis — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/cliffhanger.md)
- *Liebestraum* (1991), as Barnard Ralston IV
- *Delirious* (1991), as Mickey
- *Problem Child 2* (1991), as Voytek
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Lemish, Cormac Braden, Jim Warren, Mr. Aronson, Defense Attorney Hauser, Barry Speicher — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *A Shock to the System* (1990), as Executive #2
- *See No Evil, Hear No Evil* (1989), as Jerk
- *Talk Radio* (1988), as Sid Greenberg
- *Working Girl* (1988), as Jim — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/working-girl.md)
- *Tattingers* (1988), series, Actor
- *The Kid Brother* (1987), as Jesse
- *Radio Days* (1987), as Audience Member (uncredited)
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Wirth, Kenny Pack
- *The Golden Girls* (1985), series, as Vaczy — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md)
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Eric Terry — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Kate & Allie* (1984), series, Actor
- *These Little Ones Perish*, Actor
- *The Vizitant*, as Senator Robert Banks

## Gallery

- ![Star of Tommy Boy, 24, Deadwood, Fight Club, The Good Wife. NYC Feb '18. (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/87453/gallery-142d3cedf2c3.jpg) Star of Tommy Boy, 24, Deadwood, Fight Club, The Good Wife. NYC Feb '18. (2018) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Zach_Grenier_%2839631017494%29.jpg/1280px-Zach_Grenier_%2839631017494%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Zach Grenier](https://film.one/media/person/87453/gallery-a07bb98d7ec4.jpg) Zach Grenier — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Zach_Grenier_%2839631017494%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Zach_Grenier_%2839631017494%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 2009: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© 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/zach-grenier