Zack Gottsagen

Zack Gottsagen
Gottsagen at the BraveMaker Film Festival in 2025
Born
Zachary Robin Gottsagen

(1985-04-22) April 22, 1985 (age 41)
United States
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present

Zachary Robin Gottsagen (born April 22, 1985) is an American actor and rapper. He was born with Down Syndrome. 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.

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.

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. In 2019, he was recognized as a Breakthrough Entertainer by the Associated Press.

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.

Personal life

Gottsagen lives independently at an apartment in Boynton Beach, Florida. He is in a long term relationship with Charlotte Woodward, a sociologist and disability rights advocate.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Bulletproof (short) Gar Vunderson / Grimm Jim
2014 Becoming Bulletproof (documentary) self
2019 The Peanut Butter Falcon Zak
2020 Best Summer Ever Cheerleader
2025 Night Always Comes Kenny

Awards and nominations

Year Award Work Result Ref.
2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival Rising Star Award The Peanut Butter Falcon Won
Hollywood Critics Association Newcomer Award Won

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 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. ↑ Thomason, John (2020-02-10). "Beating the Odds: Zack Gottsagen is Defying Disability". Boca Raton Magazine. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
  7. ↑ "A Donor Heart Saved Her Life. Why Are Others with Down Syndrome Denied Transplants?". People.com. Archived from the original on 2025-08-04. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
  8. 1 2 "Zack Gottsagen". Reel Abilities. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ Kranking, Emily (March 27, 2020). "5+ Independent Movies Starring Actors With Disabilities You Can Stream". The Mighty. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ "'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.
  11. ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (December 4, 2019). "Zack Gottsagen to Receive Rising Star Award From Palm Springs International Film Festival". The Wrap. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  12. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2020). "'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Star Zack Gottsagen Inks Talent Deal With Kapital Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved November 30, 2020.