Zachary Wolfe Galligan (born February 14, 1964) is an American actor. He is best known for starring as Billy Peltzer in the comedy-horror films Gremlins (1984) and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990).
Early life and education Galligan was born on February 14, 1964, in New York City, the son of Carol Jean (née Wolfe), a psychologist, and Arthur John Galligan, a lawyer who was a founding partner of the law firm of Dickstein Shapiro. He is mostly of Irish descent, although he also has some English and Jewish ancestry (from Austria) on his mother’s side. He graduated from Columbia University.
Career
Galligan's most prominent role was as Billy Peltzer in the 1984 film Gremlins. Prior to being cast in Gremlins, he filmed Nothing Lasts Forever, which had its theatrical release cancelled and went unreleased in any form for years. In 1988, he starred as Mark Loftmore in the horror comedy Waxwork. He reprised his role as Billy in the 1990 sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, and returned to the role of Mark for Waxwork II: Lost in Time in 1992.
In 2016, UK progressive rock band Gandalf's Fist announced that Galligan would voice a character on their album The Clockwork Fable.
In early 2021, Galligan appeared in a Mountain Dew commercial in which his Gremlins character, Billy, gives Gizmo a drink of his Mountain Dew. Galligan returned to the Gremlins franchise again in 2022, in the animated series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.
Personal life In 2025 Zach Galligan married Alison Marie Rieger in a private ceremony.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role Notes 1984 Gremlins Billy Peltzer Nothing Lasts Forever Adam Beckett 1988 Waxwork Mark Loftmore 1990 Gremlins 2: The New Batch Billy Peltzer Mortal Passions Todd 1991 Zandalee Rog Psychic Patrick Costello 1992 Round Trip To Heaven Steve Waxwork II: Lost in Time Mark Loftmore 1993 Warlock: The Armageddon Douglas All Tied Up Brian Hartley 1994 Caroline at Midnight Jerry Hiatt Ice Rick Corbit 1995 Cyborg 3: The Recycler Evans 1997 Cupid Eric Rhodes Prince Valiant Sir Kay The First to Go Adam Curtis 1998 Storm Trooper Kreigal 1999 The Storytellers Greer Sandler 2000 Little Insects King Foptop Raw Nerve Ethan Lang released in Japan as Random Shots G-Men from Hell Dalton 2001 The Tomorrow Man Spence Gabriela Pat Point Doom Spider What They Wanted, What They Got Pete Drake 2002 Infested Warren 2003 Momentum Director Hammond 2005 Legion of the Dead Dr. Swatek 2007 Let Them Chirp Awhile Hart Carlton 2008 Jewslim Yoseph Caldwell 2009 The Pack Anson Nightbeasts Charles Thomas 2010 Cut Jack Jack Falls American Guy 2013 Hatchet III Sheriff Fowler2016The ChairRiley2017KampoutDetective Benson2019Madness in the MethodDirector/Zach
Television Year Film Role Notes 1983 Jacobo Timerman: Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number Héctor Timerman Television movie 1985 Surviving: A Family in Crisis Rick Brogan 1987–1989 The Lawrenceville Stories William "Hickey" Hicks TV Mini-Series, All 3 Episodes 1992 Melrose Place Rick Danworth Episode: "For Love or Money" Tales from the Crypt David and Rick Episode: "Strung Along" 1993 For Love and Glory Thomas Doyle Unsold television pilot 1995 Extreme Dan Episode: Pilot 1996 Pacific Blue Ron Jeffries Episode: "Takedown" 1997 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Chester Barnes Episode: "Homecoming" 1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave Bill Chase Episode: "Reunion" Star Trek: Voyager Ensign David Gentry Episode: "In the Flesh" The Net Aaron Mitchelson Episode: "Diamonds Aren't Forever" 1999 Chicken Soup for the Soul Young Man Episode: "My Convertible" Arthur's Quest King Pendragon Television film 2001 7th Heaven Dr. Kent Episode: "Worked" 2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Eddie Malloy Episode: "Happy Family" 2018 The Keith & Paddy Picture Show as himself Episode: "Gremlins" 2023 Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai Henchman #2 Recurring cast
Web Year Title Role Notes Source 2020 Chilling Tales for Dark Nights Fitzroy / Narrator Episode: "The End is Near"Segment: "Mr. Promises" 2021 The Irate Gamer Himself Episode: "Gremlins" 2022 The Kill Count Episode: "Gremlins 2 (1990) KILL COUNT"
References
External links
Zach Galligan's Blog