Zach Gilford Movies and TV Shows Life Zach Gilford is an American actor best known for his role as Matt Saracen in the critically acclaimed television series Friday Night Lights. Over the years, Gilford has expanded his career, showcasing his talent in various television series and films. Below is a complete list of his most notable movies and TV shows.
Early Career and Breakthrough Role
Gilford’s career began in the early 2000s, and his breakthrough role came in 2004 when he was cast as Matt Saracen, the beloved quarterback on Friday Night Lights. The series, which ran from 2006 to 2011, was a huge success, and Gilford’s performance won him widespread recognition.
Zach Gilford Movies
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| The Last Winter | 2006 |
| Devil’s Due | 2014 |
| Post Grad | 2009 |
| Friday Night Lights (movie) | 2004 |
| The River Why | 2010 |
| An American Crime | 2007 |
| Sleepwalker | 2017 |
| Hard Sell | 2016 |
| The Purge: Election Year | 2016 |
| The Way Back | 2020 |
Zach Gilford TV Shows
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Friday Night Lights | 2006–2011 |
| Lifesaver | 2012 |
| Good Girls | 2020–2021 |
| The Family | 2016 |
| Shameless | 2015 |
| This Close | 2017–2018 |
| The Romanoffs | 2018 |
| Heatstroke | 2013 |
| Matador | 2014 |
| Bunheads | 2012–2013 |
Zach Gilford TV Shows
1. Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
- Role: Matt Saracen
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Synopsis: Friday Night Lights followed the lives of high school football players in the small town of Dillon, Texas, and their coach, Eric Taylor. Gilford played Matt Saracen, a shy but talented quarterback who faces the pressures of high school, football, and growing up in a tough environment.
- Significance: This role is widely regarded as one of Gilford’s career-defining performances. His portrayal of Matt earned him praise for his depth and vulnerability.
2. The Mob Doctor (2012)
- Role: Nate Devlin
- Genre: Medical Drama, Crime
- Synopsis: This short-lived drama series revolved around Dr. Grace Devlin, a Chicago surgeon who finds herself entangled in the world of organized crime. Gilford played Nate, Grace’s love interest, who becomes involved in her dangerous life.
- Significance: Although the show was canceled after one season, Gilford’s performance was well-received, showcasing his ability to balance drama and romance.
3. Secrets and Lies (2015)
- Role: Ben Crawford
- Genre: Mystery, Crime Drama
- Synopsis: Secrets and Lies followed the investigation of a young boy’s death, with Gilford playing the lead role of Ben Crawford, a man who becomes the prime suspect in the case. The series explores the impact of the crime on Ben and his family.
- Significance: Gilford’s performance added complexity to the role, as the show delved into themes of guilt, deception, and family loyalty. The series ran for two seasons.
4. L.A. to Vegas (2018)
- Role: Colin
- Genre: Comedy
- Synopsis: L.A. to Vegas was a sitcom that centered around a group of quirky passengers and crew aboard a flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Gilford played Colin, a pilot with a quirky personality who often finds himself in humorous and awkward situations.
- Significance: Though the series was canceled after one season, Gilford’s comedic timing and charm were highlighted in his role, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
5. The Purge (2018)
- Role: Ryan
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Synopsis: Based on the successful Purge movie franchise, this television series explored the events surrounding the annual Purge night. Gilford played Ryan, one of the main characters who is caught up in the chaos and violence of the Purge.
- Significance: This role allowed Gilford to showcase his ability to take on darker, more intense characters.
6. Hawaii Five-0 (2019)
- Role: Officer Jeff “Kimo” Clarke
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
- Synopsis: In this reboot of the classic series, Gilford appeared in a guest role as Officer Kimo Clarke, a former member of the special task force who joins the team to help solve a case.
- Significance: Though his role was brief, Gilford’s presence added to the action-packed dynamic of the show.
7. Nurses (2020–2021)
- Role: Dr. Wolf
- Genre: Medical Drama
- Synopsis: Nurses was a medical drama centered around a group of young nurses working in a busy Toronto hospital. Gilford played Dr. Wolf, a skilled but emotionally distant doctor who became involved with the staff.
- Significance: His role in Nurses further cemented his ability to tackle a variety of different genres, from medical dramas to thrillers.
Zach Gilford Movies
1. The Last Winter (2006)
- Role: James
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Synopsis: Set in the Arctic, this horror film revolves around a group of researchers who discover something horrifying in the frozen wasteland. Gilford played James, a young researcher who becomes one of the key characters as things begin to unravel.
- Significance: The Last Winter marked one of Gilford’s early movie roles and gave him the opportunity to experiment with more intense and unsettling material.
2. Friday the 13th (2009)
- Role: Wade
- Genre: Horror
- Synopsis: A reboot of the Friday the 13th franchise, this film follows a group of young adults who are hunted by the infamous Jason Voorhees. Gilford played Wade, one of the unfortunate characters who meets his end at the hands of the masked killer.
- Significance: Though Gilford had a smaller role in this slasher film, it was another example of his range as an actor, showcasing his ability to navigate both mainstream horror and independent films.
3. Post Grad (2009)
- Role: Adam
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Synopsis: This romantic comedy follows a young woman, played by Alexis Bledel, who graduates from college and faces the challenges of life after school. Gilford plays Adam, a man who becomes her romantic interest as she navigates the ups and downs of adulthood.
- Significance: This film showcased a different side of Gilford, as he took on a lighter, more comedic role.
4. Devil Due (2014)
- Role: Zach
- Genre: Horror
- Synopsis: A found-footage horror film about a young couple who become pregnant under mysterious and frightening circumstances. Gilford played Zach, the husband who tries to uncover the truth behind the strange events surrounding his wife’s pregnancy.
- Significance: This role once again placed Gilford in the horror genre, where his intensity helped make the film more chilling.
5. The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
- Role: Mark
- Genre: Drama
- Synopsis: Based on the best-selling novel, this heartwarming film tells the story of a race car driver’s life through the eyes of his dog, Enzo. Gilford plays Mark, a character who becomes an obstacle to the protagonist’s happiness.
- Significance: This role demonstrated Gilford’s ability to take on more subtle, nuanced parts in a heartwarming, dramatic setting.
6. Sleepaway Camp 4 The Survivor (2012)
- Role: Alex
- Genre: Horror, Slasher
- Synopsis: Part of the Sleepaway Camp franchise, this horror film features Gilford as Alex, a character involved in the terrifying events at a summer camp. The movie was released after the production, but it was part of the slasher franchise’s revival.
- Significance: Although this film went straight to video, it added to Gilford’s horror film portfolio.
Conclusion
Zach Gilford has had a diverse career, showcasing his versatility in roles across different genres. From his iconic performance in Friday Night Lights to his appearances in horror films, medical dramas, and romantic comedies, he has proven himself as a talented and adaptable actor. Whether on television or in film, Gilford continues to captivate audiences with his nuanced and heartfelt performances.