If you’ve ever watched a show and thought, "Who is that incredibly tall, slightly haunting, yet deeply endearing man?" you’ve likely encountered Zach Woods. He’s got this specific energy. It’s a mix of a Victorian orphan and a high-functioning sociopath, all wrapped in a 6-foot-4 frame. You probably know him as Gabe Lewis or Jared Dunn, but Zach Woods movies and tv shows cover a much wider, weirder spectrum than just the awkward guy in the corner.
Honestly, he’s become the secret weapon of modern comedy. He doesn't just deliver lines; he inhabits characters who seem like they’ve seen things no human should ever see. Whether he’s playing a corporate sycophant or a stop-motion NPR host, there’s a soulfulness beneath the cringe that makes him impossible to look away from.
The Roles That Put Him on the Map
Most people first bumped into him when he joined The Office in Season 6. Gabe Lewis was the guy we all loved to hate. He was the corporate "skeleton man" sent from Sabre to keep Dunder Mifflin in line. Woods played him with such a pathetic, desperate need for approval that you almost felt bad for him—right until he started talking about his obsession with "cinema" and horror movies.
Then came Silicon Valley. This is where he truly ascended. As Donald "Jared" Dunn, he gave us one of the most layered characters in sitcom history. Jared was the heart of Pied Piper, a man with a background so traumatic and mysterious that every off-hand comment about his childhood felt like a cry for help. "I was state-raised," he’d say with a smile, and your heart would just break.
Key TV Performances You Might Have Missed
- Avenue 5: He plays Matt Spencer, the Head of Customer Relations on a doomed space cruise. Imagine a man whose job is to lie to people while they are literally dying in space. He’s nihilistic, hilarious, and weirdly the most honest person on the ship.
- Veep: He popped up as Ed Webster, an aide to Amy Brookheimer. It was a smaller role, but seeing him navigate the shark-infested waters of Armando Iannucci's Washington D.C. was a perfect fit for his brand of high-anxiety comedy.
- The Afterparty: In the second season, he played Edgar Minnows, a socially stunted billionaire who gets murdered at his own wedding. It was a masterclass in being "weird-hot."
- In the Know: This is his recent passion project. He co-created it and voices Lauren Caspian, an NPR host who is basically every "progressive" stereotype rolled into one. It’s stop-motion, it’s biting, and it’s arguably the most "Zach Woods" thing he's ever done.
Zach Woods Movies: The Big Screen Pivot
While he’s a titan of the small screen, his filmography is surprisingly deep. He often shows up for five minutes, steals the entire movie, and then vanishes. Remember The Other Guys? He’s the guy at the corporate meeting who gets absolutely roasted by Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.
He also did In the Loop, the film spin-off of The Thick of It. He plays Chad, a junior state department staffer who is just trying to survive the verbal onslaught of Peter Capaldi’s Malcolm Tucker. It’s interesting to see him in these high-pressure, fast-talking environments because his stillness acts as such a great foil.
Notable Film Roles
- The Post (2017): Yes, he was in a Steven Spielberg movie. He played Anthony Essaye. It wasn't a "funny" role, which proves he has the dramatic chops to hang with people like Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.
- Spy (2015): He’s a "Man in Purple Tie." It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo, but it’s part of his long-standing relationship with Paul Feig.
- Downhill (2020): He plays the friend of Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The movie itself had mixed reviews, but Woods brought a much-needed grounded awkwardness to the tension between the lead couple.
- Spin Me Round (2022): A chaotic indie comedy where he plays Dana. It’s another example of him thriving in an ensemble cast where things are slowly going off the rails.
Why 2026 is a Big Year for Woods
If you’re keeping track of Zach Woods movies and tv shows right now, you’ve probably heard about How to Make a Killing. It’s a black comedy thriller scheduled for release in February 2026. It’s directed by John Patton Ford (who did Emily the Criminal) and stars Glen Powell. Woods is in the supporting cast, and early buzz suggests this is a much darker, more "thriller" vibe than we usually get from him.
He’s also continuing his work in animation. He’s set to voice "Chrome Dome" in the short film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey. It sounds ridiculous, but he has one of those voices that just works for animation—it's precise, slightly melodic, and capable of sounding both authoritative and completely terrified at the same time.
The Secret Sauce: Improv and Sincerity
The reason he’s so good is his background at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). He didn't start out wanting to be a TV star; he just wanted to do improv. That training allows him to react in the moment with a level of sincerity that most actors can’t fake. When Jared Dunn says something insane, it’s funny because Zach Woods is playing it as if it’s the most logical thing in the world.
He often talks about how he hates watching himself. He’s incredibly self-critical. That might be why his characters often feel so vulnerable. There’s no ego on screen. He’s willing to look like a fool, or a creep, or a loser, as long as it serves the story.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Binge
If you want to really understand the range of Zach Woods movies and tv shows, you can't just stick to the highlights. You have to look at the weird stuff.
- Start with Silicon Valley: Watch all of it. Pay attention to how Jared changes from a corporate drone to a man who will literally do anything for his "team."
- Watch "David": This is a short film he directed and wrote. It stars Will Ferrell and William Jackson Harper. It’s only 11 minutes long, but it tells you everything you need to know about his directorial voice—dark, empathetic, and slightly absurd.
- Track down his UCB clips: There are old videos on YouTube of him doing improv with people like Ben Schwartz and Thomas Middleditch. It’s raw, it’s fast, and it’s where he developed that "glitchy" energy he brings to every role.
- Catch the 2026 releases: Keep an eye out for How to Make a Killing in theaters this February. It’s likely going to be his most significant "prestige" project in a while.
Zach Woods is one of those actors who makes everything he touches about 15% more interesting. He’s not just a "character actor." He’s a specific flavor of comedy that we didn't know we needed until he showed up. Whether he’s the lead or just a guy with one line, you’re going to remember he was there. That’s the mark of a true pro.
Next Steps for Zach Woods Fans:
Check out the final season of Big Mouth on Netflix (released May 2025), where Woods continues to provide guest voices for some of the show's most bizarre side characters. If you haven't seen his directorial work yet, find his short film Bud online; it's a great companion piece to David and showcases his unique ability to find humor in profound sadness. Finally, mark your calendars for February 20, 2026, for the theatrical premiere of How to Make a Killing to see him transition back into the world of dark thrillers.
