Brian Thomas Smith
Brian Thomas Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 2016 | |
| Born | May 13, 1977 |
| Occupations |
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Brian Thomas Smith (born May 13, 1977) is an American actor and comedian known for playing the dim-witted but kind-hearted Zack Johnson in The Big Bang Theory for nine seasons.[1] He has also made other TV appearances on Fear Factor, Two and a Half Men, Happy Endings, The Neighborhood, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and United States of Al.[2] On the big screen, Smith starred opposite Al Pacino and Annette Bening in Dan Fogelman's directorial debut film, Danny Collins.[3] Other films Smith has starred in include Lethal Seduction, Babysplitters, The Wedding Party, and Concrete Blondes.[4]
Smith was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Lafayette High School in Wildwood, where he played basketball.[5][6] He later graduated from the University of Central Missouri.[7]
Career
Smith has appeared in over 100 commercials including Miller Lite, Pizza Hut, Burger King, State Farm, Lopez Tonight, Chevrolet, Carl's Jr., Coors Light, Budweiser, Taco Bell, DirecTV, Pop Chips, Buffalo Wild Wings, Honda, Corona, Applebee's, Dairy Queen, Audi, and Progressive Insurance.[8]
In 2005, in markets outside of the United States, he starred in a Heineken beer commercial with Jennifer Aniston.[9][10]
In 2005, Smith appeared on the reality television competition series The Amazing Race 7 with his brother, Greg, finishing sixth overall.[11]
In 2006, Smith was cast as the lead in Dan Fogelman's half-hour comedy pilot The 12th Man.[12]
In 2010, Smith joined the cast of comedy series The Big Bang Theory in a recurring role, portraying Penny's sometime boyfriend, sometimes ex-boyfriend, Zack Johnson. He continued to recur on the show until its 12th and final season in 2019.[13]
In 2021, Smith was cast in a recurring role on the comedy series United States of Al, as Freddy, the new boyfriend of Vanessa, Riley's ex-wife.[14]
In recent years, Smith has also guest-starred on NCIS, Shrinking, Bad Monkey, and reprised his comedic television presence on Nickelodeon’s The Really Loud House.[15]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The 12th Man | Adam Rump | TV movie |
| 2008 | No Place Like Home | Matt | Short |
| 2009 | The Moonlighters | Bob | Short |
| Perry's Fairies | Short | ||
| The Indies | Sean | Short | |
| 2010 | All American Zombie Drugs | Bobby | |
| 2012 | Lucy in the Sky with Diamond | Brian | Short |
| Surprise | Matthew | Short | |
| Hot Neighbours | Judd | Short | |
| Concrete Blondes | Karl | Short | |
| 2013 | Casual | Guy | |
| 2015 | Lethal Seduction | Randy | TV movie |
| Danny Collins | Judd/Busy Work | ||
| 2018 | Big Muddy | Bo | |
| 2020 | Babysplitters | Dr Palmer | |
| 2023 | Holiday Twist | Boogie |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Friends | Strip club patron | Season 8, Episode 11 (uncredited, no lines) |
| 2005 | The Amazing Race 7 | Contestant | Eliminated, 6th place (with Greg Smith) |
| 2006 | Two and a Half Men | Emmett | Episode: "Ergo, the Booty Call" |
| 2010 | A Good Knight's Quest | Agent One | 8 episodes |
| The Indies | Sean | 2 episodes | |
| 2010–19 | The Big Bang Theory | Zack Johnson | Recurring role, 11 episodes |
| 2010–11 | Casual: The Series | Guy | Series regular; 17 episodes |
| 2012 | Happy Endings | Nick | "Party of Six" |
| Wolfpack of Reseda | Vance | 5 episodes | |
| Suit Up | Bjorn Hansen | Recurring role, 4 episodes | |
| 2019 | The Neighborhood | Ed | Episode: "Welcome to the Bully" |
| 2020 | 9-1-1: Lone Star | Andrew Reynolds | Episode: "Awakening" |
| 2021–22 | United States of Al | Freddy | Recurring role |
| 2022 | NCIS | Fantasy Football Dad | Episode: "Daddy Issues" |
| 2022–24 | The Really Loud House | Mr. Bolhofner | 3 episodes |
| 2024 | Bad Monkey | Brennan | 3 episodes |
| Shrinking | Jack | Episode: "The Drugs Don't Work" |
References
- ^ "What Happened To Brian Thomas Smith After The Big Bang Theory?". TheThings.com. January 17, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Daily Inspiration: Meet Brian Thomas Smith". VoyageLA. May 5, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Brian Thomas Smith Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Brian Thomas Smith – Biography". IMDb. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Bio". BrianThomasSmith.com. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "UCM Alumni Foundation post mentioning Brian Thomas Smith and Lafayette High School". Twitter. University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation. December 1, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Daily Inspiration: Meet Brian Thomas Smith". VoyageLA. May 5, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Commercial Reel". BrianThomasSmith.com. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Lunch Break: "Banned" Jennifer Aniston Heineken ad". June 9, 2010. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ "Doug's Brush With Fame: Brian Thomas Smith". July 25, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ "The Amazing Race Season 7 Cast". CBS. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Brian Thomas Smith Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Daily Inspiration: Meet Brian Thomas Smith". VoyageLA. May 5, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Brian Thomas Smith To Recur In 'United States Of Al'". May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ^ "Brian Thomas Smith Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved August 12, 2025.