Steve Zissis

Steve Zissis (Greek: Στηβ Ζήσης; born December 17, 1975)[1] is an American actor, writer and producer. A longtime friend of Jay and Mark Duplass, he has appeared in and co-produced some of their productions, including the films Baghead (2008), Cyrus (2010), The Do-Deca-Pentathlon (2012) and the TV series Togetherness (2015–2016). He has also appeared in other films and TV shows, including the 2013 film Her.

Steve Zissis
Born (1975-12-17) December 17, 1975
New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • producer
Years active2002–present

Early life

Zissis was born on December 17, 1975 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is of Greek descent.[2] He attended the all-male Jesuit High School. Among his schoolmates were Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass; he knew both, although he was better acquainted with Mark, who was a year below him, than Jay, who was three years above him.[3] Zissis was heavily into music and musical theater.[3]

Career

Zissis made his film debut in the short film Climbing Out (2002). He went on to star in The Intervention, a short film directed by Jay Duplass and written by Mark Duplass.[4][5] Zissis then went on to appear in the short film Momma's Boy.[6] In 2008, Zissis had the leading role in the film Baghead which was written and directed by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2008.[7] At the festival it was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics, and was released on July 13, 2008.[8][9] That same year, Zissis appeared in the short film Loveolution, and made his television debut in The Office.[10][1]

In 2009, Zissis appeared in The Overbook Brothers which had its world premiere at South by Southwest.[11] That same year, Zissis appeared in Sunday Morning,[1] The League,[12] and Prototype. In 2010, Zissis appeared in Cyrus.[13] Zissis appeared in two episodes of Parks and Recreation.[14] That same year Zissis wrote, directed, produced and edited the short film Kleshnov.[15] In 2011, Zissis appeared in Jeff, Who Lives at Home, which was written by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass.[16] The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 2011.[17]

In 2012, Zissis starred in the leading role of The Do-Deca-Pentathlon which was also written by Mark and Jay Duplass, who also directed the film, which premiered at South by Southwest in March 2012.[18] The film was released on June 26, 2012, through video on demand prior to a limited release on June 26, 2012.[19] In 2013, Zissis voiced the role of Milo in Bad Milo, which premiered at South by Southwest in March 2013, and was released in August 2013.[20][21] That same year, he also appeared in Spike Jonze's Her.[22]

Together with the Duplass brothers, Zissis created the HBO TV series Togetherness; Zissis also starred in the series as the best friend of Mark Duplass's character.[12][23] The series premiered on January 11, 2015,[24] and ran for two seasons.[25]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Climbing Out Bryant Short film
2005 The Intervention Steve
2006 Momma's Boy George
2008 Baghead Chad
2008 Loveolution Daddy Short film
2009 The Overbook Brothers George
2009 Prototype Irvin Marquand
2010 Cyrus Rusty
2010 Kleshnov Kleshnov Short film
Also co-director, co-writer, producer and editor
2011 Jeff, Who Lives at Home Steve
2012 The Do-Deca-Pentathlon Mark
2013 Bad Milo Milo (voice)
2013 Her New Sweet Boyfriend of Mother Who Dated Pricks
2016 Another Evil Dan
2017 The House Carl Shackler
2018 The Front Runner Tom Fiedler
2019 Happy Death Day 2U Dean Bronson
2020 Bad Hair Baxter Tannen
2021 Bliss Bjorn
2021 Cruella — Story writer

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2008 The Office Dwight's Ignored Customer (voice) Episode: "Customer Survey"
2009 Sunday Morning The Manager Television film
2009 The League Craig Episode: "The Usual Bet"
2009–2010 Parks and Recreation Gray / Michael 2 episodes
2012 Private Practice Todd Reiter Episode: "You Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone"
2013 Arrested Development Chuck The Canadian Episode: "A New Start"
2014 Trophy Wife Clerk Episode: "The Wedding: Part One"
2015–2016 Togetherness Alex Pappas Main role, 16 episodes
Also co-creator and consultant producer
2016 Animals. Husband (voice) Episode: "Rats"
2017 I'm Sorry Sandy / Shorts Neighbor Recurring role, 5 episodes
2018 The Guest Book Mike Episode: "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back"
2018–2019 Single Parents Mark Rush Recurring role, 4 episodes
2020 The Comey Rule Jim Baker Main role, 2 episodes

References
  1. "Steve Zissis". TV Guide. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  2. Radio, Southern California Public (21 February 2016). "How Steve Zissis's struggles became HBO hit 'Togetherness'". Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  3. Walker, Dave (January 8, 2015). "'Togetherness:' Three Jesuit grads, a Mount Carmel alum and the 'Jesus Christ Superstar' connection". The Times-Picayune.
  4. "The Intervention (2004)". Fandor. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  5. Leonsis, Elle (February 18, 2016). "Watch: The Baby-Faced Stars of 'Togetherness' Season 2 in Mark and Jay Duplass' First Short Films". Indiewire.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  6. "Momma's Boy". Clermont Film Festival. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  7. "Baghead". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  8. Indiewire (January 25, 2008). "Sony Classics Bags "Baghead" for North America". Indiewire. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  9. "Baghead". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  10. ""LOVEolution" (2008)". Vimeo. January 16, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  11. wire, Indie (March 9, 2009). "SXSW Interview: "The Overbrook Brothers" Director John Bryant". Indiewire.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  12. Goldberg, Leslie (March 6, 2013). "Steve Zissis Reteams With Duplass Brothers for HBO Comedy Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  13. "Cyrus". TV Guide. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  14. Travers, Ben (March 21, 2016). "'Togetherness' Steve Zissis on Meta Acting Challenges in Season 2 and Why Actors Should Create Their Own Work". Indiewire.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  15. Kim, James (February 21, 2016). "How the struggles of Steve Zissis turned into HBO's hit 'Togetherness'". scpr.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  16. Ebert, Roger (March 14, 2012). "Jeff Who Lives at Home Movie Review (2012". Roger Ebert. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  17. Goldberg, Matt (September 16, 2011). "TIFF 2011: JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME Review". Colider.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  18. "The Do-Deca-Pentathlon". Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  19. Searchlight, Fox (June 15, 2012). "The Do-Deca-Pentathlon Trailer". YouTube.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  20. "Bad Milo! & VOD hope for Genre Indies". Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  21. John DeFore (11 March 2013). "Milo: SXSW Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  22. "Her". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  23. Goldberg, Lesley. "Duplass Brothers Comedy Gets Series Order at HBO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  24. Kondolojy, Amanda (November 6, 2014). "HBO Confirms Jan. 11 debut for 'Girls', 'Togetherness', & 'Looking'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  25. Travers, Ben (March 25, 2016). "Mark & Jay Duplass' HBO Series 'Togetherness' Canceled After Season 2". Indiewire. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
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