Zachary Michael Cregger (born March 1, 1981) is an American comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He is a founding member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U' Know and starred in the sitcoms Friends with Benefits, Guys with Kids, and Wrecked. He wrote and directed the horror films Barbarian (2022), Weapons (2025), and Resident Evil (2026), also producing the latter two.
Early life and education Cregger was raised in Arlington, Virginia. He performed in various local comedy and music groups before moving to Brooklyn, New York to attend the School of Visual Arts.
Career Actor and comedian
Cregger is a founding member of the Whitest Kids U' Know comedy troupe, formed alongside Trevor Moore and Sam Brown in 2000. While shooting an independent film, he met Darren Trumeter who subsequently joined the group. The Whitest Kids U' Know garnered success locally and online, leading to an invitation to the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado in 2006. The troupe won the award for Best Sketch Group and attracted the attention of several networks. Following the showcase, Fuse ordered a sketch series from the group. The Whitest Kids U' Know aired its first season on the network in 2007 before moving to then-sister network IFC. The series ran for five seasons before concluding in 2011.
Alongside Moore, he starred in and co-directed the films Miss March and The Civil War on Drugs. The latter received a limited theatrical release and aired as a recurring serial during the final season of The Whitest Kids U' Know. The troupe's second feature film, Mars, premiered at the Tribeca Festival in Lower Manhattan, New York on June 6, 2024. In 2008, Cregger made his first film appearance in Deb Hagan's directorial debut College. In 2011, he joined the cast of the NBC sitcom Friends with Benefits. He then starred on the NBC sitcom Guys with Kids from 2012 to 2013. From 2016 to 2018, he starred as Owen O'Connor on the TBS sitcom Wrecked.
Filmmaker Cregger wrote and directed the 2022 horror film Barbarian, starring Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, and Justin Long. He wrote and directed the 2025 horror film Weapons, receiving critical acclaim and several accolades including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Amy Madigan. He wrote and directed Resident Evil (2026), based on the video game franchise of the same name from Capcom.
In December 2025, it was announced that he will serve as a producer on a feature film adaptation of Torso for Netflix. At the Warner Bros. Pictures panel at CinemaCon 2026, a new film directed by Cregger, the science fiction thriller The Flood, was announced. It is set for release on August 11, 2028, and will be co-produced with Amblin Entertainment. Jennifer Lawrence was cast in the lead role, and it was the last film greenlit by Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca at Warner Bros. In the same panel, New Line announced a Weapons prequel titled Gladys, set for release on September 8, 2028, which is expected to be co-written with Zach Shields, but will not be directed by Cregger.
In 2026, Cregger was announced to be writing a film adaptation of Trevor Henderson's internet phenomenon Siren Head, with Brian Duffield set to direct.
Personal life In 2013, Cregger met Sara Paxton in Austin, Texas on the set of Love & Air Sex while they portrayed an on-screen couple. They were engaged in 2018 and married in October 2019.
Filmography
Film YearTitleDirectorWriterProducerNotes 2009 Miss March Co-directed and co-written with Trevor Moore Reference for Moore as co-writer. 2021The Civil War on Drugs 2022 Barbarian 2024 Mars 2025 Weapons Also composerCompanion 2026 Resident Evil 2028The Flood
+Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 2008 College Cooper 2009 Miss March Eugene Bell 2011 The Death and Return of Superman Hal Jordan / Green Lantern Short film 2013 Love & Air Sex Jeff 2014 Date and Switch Greg 2016 Opening Night Micky 2018 Doubting Thomas Graham 2021 The Civil War on Drugs Abraham Lincoln / various roles 2022 Barbarian Everett 2024 Mars Kyle Capshaw / various roles (voices)2026Resident EvilIntercom (voice)
Television Year Title Director Writer Producer Creator 2004 The Lounge 2004–2006Uncle Morty's Dub Shack 2006 Comedy Zen 2007–11 The Whitest Kids U' Know 2021 Sasquatch
+Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 1998 Homicide: Life on the Street Dean Stamper Episode "Brotherly Love" 2007–11 The Whitest Kids U' Know Various rolesMain cast 2011 Friends with Benefits Aaron 2012–13 Guys with Kids Nick 2014 About a Boy T.J. Recurring role 2015 The McCarthys Doug Episode "The Ref" 2016–18 Wrecked Owen Main role 2019 Adam Ruins Everything Berch Episode "Adam Ruins Nature" Just Roll with It Brent Episode "Gator's Reunion"
Awards and nominations
+List of Cregger's nominations and awards Award Year Category Title Result Astra Film Award 2026 Best Original Screenplay Weapons Critics' Choice Award2026 Best Original Screenplay Fangoria Chainsaw Award 2023 Best Director Barbarian Best Screenplay 2026 Best DirectorWeapons Best Screenplay Producers Guild of America Award2026 Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures Writers Guild of America Award2026 Best Original Screenplay
References
External links