Steve Zissis

Steve Zissis was born and raised in the culturally rich city of New Orleans, Louisiana, to a family of Greek descent. He attended Jesuit High School, where he first began to act in musicals at the age of sixteen, and went on to New York University, where he studied acting and performed in plays. At NYU, Steve garnered a "Best Actor" award for his portrayal of the ferocious Irishman, Mr. Maurrant, in Elmer Rice's "Street Scene." After college, Steve continued working in theater, at one point studying puppetry at The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, under the mentoring of Richard Termine of the Henson Foundation and Marty Robinson of Sesame Street ("Mr. Snuffleupagus," "Telly Monster"). In 2002, Steve directed his own live-action/puppet adaptation of Peter Shaeffer's "Amadeus" for which he received a "Best Director" award and the play received a "Best Drama" award. Jay Stanley of Vive La Vie! Magazine called the play a "masterpiece of theatrical genius." In 2005, Steve first teamed up with the Duplass Brothers to star in the short film, "The Intervention." The film won the Silver Bear and Teddy Awards at the Berlin Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at the GEN ART Film Festival in New York. Steve's relationship with the Duplass Brothers continued as he starred in their horror comedy "Baghead" which premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Steve's performance in "Baghead" caught the attention of critics and casting directors, and Steve went on to do work on TV shows such as "The Office," "Parks and Recreations," and FX's "The League." In 2009, Steve would collaborate with the Duplass Brothers again by starring in their epic, sibling rivalry sports film "The Dodeca Pentathlon." The film played at several film festivals including SXSW and was acquired by Fox Searchlight. In 2011, Steve played a supporting role in the Duplass Brothers second studio feature "Jeff, Who Lives at Home" along side Jason Segel, Ed Helms, and Judy Greer. The film was shot in New Orleans so Steve was doubly blessed to work and visit with his friends and family. Most recently, Steve and the Duplass Brothers created a comedic, relationship series for HBO called Togetherness (2015). The show stars Steve, Mark Duplass, Melanie Lynskey, and Amanda Peet. It began airing in 2015.