Career kicked off in his native Minnesota when he crashed the audition of a local stage production of "Biloxi Blues" and won the lead role. Next trained at American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA; then moved to New York City where he won a role touring for 13 months in national company of Tommy Tune-directed version of "Bye Bye Birdie". Back in New York, he played opposite Ethan Hawke in "Sophistry" at Playwright's Horizon, where Ben Stiller noticed him and cast him and Hawke in Reality Bites (1994).

Son, Henry James, born 3 April 2000 in New York.

Was raised in Minnesota.

His father is a Lutheran minister.

Is an avid fly fisherman. Owns a farm in Western New Jersey.

Graduated from Cooper High School, New Hope, Minnesota.

Is an accomplished singer/guitarist. He played lead guitar and sang in That Thing You Do! (1996) and played guitar and sang in Saving Silverman (2001).

Briefly attended the Guthrie Theater Drama School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but dropped out to pursue his film career.

Was Tom Everett Scott's best man at his wedding.

In July of 2004, Zahn and his family moved from their rural farm in New Jersey to a horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky, his wife's hometown.

Met wife Robyn Peterman during a 13-month national touring company of 'Bye Bye Birdie in which they appeared together.

Has two children, Henry and Audrey, with wife Robyn Peterson.

Gained 20 pounds for Employee of the Month.

Mother's name is Zelda Zahn.

He founded a theater company called Malaparte with Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Frank Whaley.

Conferred honorary PhD in Fine Arts from Northern Kentucky University 4 May 2007.

Lost 40 pounds for his role in Rescue Dawn (2006).

One night during the filming of Rescue Dawn (2006), he got up to use the toilet. While urinating, he fainted. When he woke up, he was initially mad at himself for drinking so much. Awakening further, he realized that he hadn't had any alcohol for about three months, and that he had probably fainted because he had lost so much weight for the part. To regain his mental focus, he played video-game golf.