Zachary Gordon
He grew up on screen as the original Greg Heffley, defining a generation's awkward adolescence with the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' films.
Born 1998 (age 28)·American actor·Birthday: February 15·Generation Z
Biography
Zachary Gordon stepped into the shoes of every middle-schooler's favorite chronicler when he was cast as Greg Heffley in the first live-action 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' film at age 11. His perfectly calibrated performance—a mix of cringe, ambition, and vulnerability—captured the essence of Jeff Kinney's beloved character and launched the film series to success. The role made him a familiar face to young audiences, but Gordon has deliberately navigated a transition beyond the child star label. He took on voice work in major animated films, pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, and sought out more mature, varied roles in independent films. His career reflects a thoughtful evolution from a defining childhood part into a versatile actor.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Zachary was born in 1998, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Zachary Was Born
The biggest hits of 1998
#1 Movie
Saving Private Ryan
Best Picture
Shakespeare in Love
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Zachary's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1998Born
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2003Started school
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2011Became a teenager
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Could drive
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2016Could vote
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2019Turned 21
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 28 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Greg Heffley in the first three live-action 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' films (2010-2012).
- Nominated for a Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor for his role in 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules'.
- Received seven Young Artist Award nominations for his work across the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series.
Did You Know?
He provided the voice for Young Alex the lion in 'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa'.
He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Business Administration.
He is an avid skateboarder and has been skating since he was a child.
He made his film debut at age 9 in 'Georgia Rule', starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lindsay Lohan.
“I was Greg Heffley, and that's a role you can't just walk away from.”
