Brian Thomas Smith
Brian Thomas Smith 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. Other films, Smith has starred in include Lethal Seduction, Babysplitters, The Wedding Party, and Concrete Blondes.
Smith was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Lafayette High School in Wildwood, where he played basketball. He later graduated from the University of Central Missouri.
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.In 2003, Smith was a contestant in episode 13 of Fear Factor.
In 2005, in markets outside of the United States, he starred in a Heineken beer commercial with Jennifer Aniston.
In 2005, Smith appeared on the reality television competition series The Amazing Race 7 with his brother, Greg, finishing sixth overall.
In 2006, Smith was cast as the lead in Dan Fogelman's half-hour comedy pilot The 12th Man.
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.
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, Smith has also guest-starred on NCIS, Shrinking, Bad Monkey, and reprised his comedic television presence on Nickelodeon’s The Really Loud House.