Brian Thomas Smith

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. 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. On the big screen, Smith starred opposite Al Pacino and Annette Bening in Dan Fogelman's directorial debut film, Danny Collins. Smith has also starred in include Lethal Seduction, Babysplitters, The Wedding Party, and Concrete Blondes.

Early life Smith was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Lafayette High School in Wildwood, where he played basketball. Smith later graduated from the University of Central Missouri.

Career Smith has appeared in more than 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.

In 2003, Smith was a contestant in episode 13 of Fear Factor. Two years later, in markets outside of the United States, he starred in a Heineken beer commercial with Jennifer Aniston. Also in 2005, Smith appeared on the reality television competition series The Amazing Race 7 with his younger brother, Greg, finishing sixth overall.

In 2006, Smith was cast as the lead in Dan Fogelman's half-hour comedy pilot The 12th Man. Four years later, he joined the cast of comedy series The Big Bang Theory in a recurring role, portraying Penny's on-and-off boyfriend Zack Johnson. Smith continued to recur on the show until its 12th and final season in 2019.

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. In recent years, he has also guest-starred on NCIS, Shrinking, Bad Monkey, and reprised his comedic television presence on Nickelodeon’s The Really Loud House.

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title Role Notes 2003 Fear Factor Contestant Season 4, Episode 13 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 episodes2012 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" 2026 Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Zack Episode: 2