ACTOR
Steve Zahn
17 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (17)
- #001
Steve Zahn fought for about six weeks for a role opposite Matt Damon in Courage Under Fire (1996). On the day he learned that Damon had landed the film role instead of him, he was offered a part in That Thing You Do! (1996).
- #002
In May 2011, Zahn traveled from New Orleans — where he was living while filming Treme (2010) — to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to help with relief efforts after the massive EF4 tornado that struck Tuscaloosa in April 2011. The tornado killed 53 people in the Tuscaloosa area and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Zahn helped clear the debris left by buildings and trees with little fanfare or press attention.
- #003
Zahn is a history buff who loves documentary films.
- #004
He is an accomplished singer and guitarist. He played lead guitar and sang in That Thing You Do! (1996) and played guitar and sang in Saving Silverman (2001).
- #005
Along with Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and Frank Whaley, he founded a theater company called Malaparte.
- #006
He has two children with his wife Robyn Peterman: Henry James Zahn (born April 3, 2000) and Audrey Clair Zahn (born April 25, 2002).
- #007
He was the best man at Tom Everett Scott's wedding.
- #008
He is an avid fly fisherman. He owns a farm in western New Jersey.
- #009
On May 4, 2007, he received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from Northern Kentucky University.
- #010
He lost 40 pounds for his role in Rescue Dawn (2006).
- #011
He gained 20 pounds for Employee of the Month (2004).
- #012
During the filming of Rescue Dawn (2006), he got up one night to use the bathroom. While urinating, he passed out. When he woke up, he first scolded himself for drinking so much. As he became more alert, he realized he had not had alcohol in about three months and had probably fainted because he had lost so much weight for the role. He played video game golf to regain his mental focus.
- #013
He graduated from Robbinsdale-Cooper High School in New Hope, Minnesota.
- #014
He is the son-in-law of catalog clothier J. Peterman.
- #015
He has two children with his wife Robyn Peterman, named Henry and Audrey.
- #016
His parents are Carleton Edward Zahn and Zelda Zahn.
- #017
Steve Zahn was born on exactly the same date as talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel.
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