Zach Gordon Interview
You know him as Greg Heffley in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. I met him when he came to Scholastic for a Live Chat a couple of years ago before the 1st Wimpy Kid movie came out. He was hilarious and adorable in real life, much more than Greg would be. We now have a new interview with him after his 3rd Wimpy Kid movie. Read on for Zach's current reflections on his life as an actor, his favorite books, and his hopes for the future.
Zach: Being an actor has made me realize that I can overcome anything, whether it’s acting, school or any other challenge. When I put my mind to anything, I can accomplish so much. When I act, I become another character and I bring ideas and qualities to the character that I imagine and create. You have to let your imagination go when you act and become the character, and that’s the fun of it.
Q: What advice do you have for kids interested in being professional actors?
Zach: Have fun and don’t take it too seriously. There is a lot of rejection in the acting business and you can’t get too emotional or worked up after every audition. Just move on to the next one and eventually all your hard work will pay off. Acting isn’t for everyone, and it’s a lot of hard work. You give up a great deal as a child actor; but for me, the rewards are worth the sacrifice.
Q: What is an unusual talent that most people don’t know that you have?
Zach: I love to write, and I’m planning to write screenplays in the future.
Q: What is your favorite song right now?
Zach: "Stereo Hearts" by Adam Levine and Gym Class Heroes.
Q: What was your most embarrassing moment?
Zach: My family and I were seeing Diary of a Wimpy Kid at a local theatre. When the movie ended, my dad began cheering like crazy and announced to everyone in the theater that I was Greg. One guy even looked back at the screen, and then looked at me and said, “Nah, really????”
Q: How do your friends react to your stardom?
Zach: What’s great about most of my friends is that they treat me as if I am just a regular kid. I’ve had most of the same friends since preschool and they don’t pay much attention to my acting. We just hang out like everyone else.
Q: Do you have any pets?
Zach: My chocolate lab Bosco is the coolest dog you’ll ever meet. He’s crazy, hyper, and awesome. Everything he does is funny. When I let him outside to do his business, he grabs on to my leg with his paws because he’s afraid to go out alone. He’s a keeper though.
Q: What is the best book you ever read?
Zach: (clearing throat) Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Also Call of the Wild, The Giver, A Series of Unfortunate Events series, and the Harry Potter series.
Q: Food you could not live without?
Zach: Could ANYONE live without ice cream? If I could invent a new flavor of ice cream it would be Everlasting Vanilla. It never melts and tastes creamier and richer than regular vanilla.
Q: A perfect day would include?
Zach: Sleeping in and playing video games!
Q: What is one thing you wish everyone would do to make the world a better place?
Zach: Stay POSITIVE.
Q: What other book character would you like to play in a movie?
Zach: Harry Potter. Hey, you never know. REMAKE!
Ooh, I don't think anyone could ever replace Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, but Zach Gordon is still awesome! Leave a Comment to tell us what you think.
— Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox
i looove the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but they shouldn't make it a bad movie cause they cant do it well enough and they didnt.
Comment #1 | Posted by: Witchunicorn5 on August 10, 2012 at 02:38 AM
OH POO BEARPOOP NOT HIM AGAIN!
Comment #2 | Posted by: l`ol on August 10, 2012 at 09:17 AM
I LUV DIARY OF A WIMPY KID IT IS THE BEST BOOK AND MOVIE EVER I HAVE ALL THE BOOKS AND ONLY SEEN THE FIRST MOVIE IM GOING TO SEE THE THIRD ON SOON
Comment #3 | Posted by: pinkaqua201 on August 10, 2012 at 09:50 AM
Diary of a wimpy kid was a good book. Even though they left out some details, i liked the movie better. But, that's just me and I congratulate Zach Gordon for his AMAZING performance in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie!
Comment #4 | Posted by: CATDOG1004 on August 10, 2012 at 12:53 PM
I love the books! The movies were also very funny too!
Comment #5 | Posted by: Happybook16 on August 10, 2012 at 01:18 PM
well,if you are lac-tose an tolerant you could live without ice-cream....
Comment #6 | Posted by: cupcakeluv on August 10, 2012 at 01:23 PM
I like diary of a wimpy kid books i have all of them! Zack Gordon is so hilarious. I hope theirs another diary of a wimpy kid book. Cant wait! P.S i watched the movie to!
Mood: excited!!!
Comment #7 | Posted by: jadeart112 on August 10, 2012 at 02:00 PM
I luv diary of a wimpy kid books! And Zack Gordon is hilarious! I have all the books and also i watched the movies to! Cant wait for the new book to come out!!
Mood:excited!!
Comment #8 | Posted by: jadeart112 on August 10, 2012 at 02:04 PM
The series was good, but if you dislike the movie I don't think it's the book's fault.
If you plan on seeing the movies I recommend reading the books first.
Comment #9 | Posted by: MadBrownie7 on August 10, 2012 at 02:05 PM
Bosco..... I'll keep that one in mind.
Comment #10 | Posted by: 2010musican on August 10, 2012 at 04:23 PM
Well the book is great and so was the first and second movie.I hope the next one is great because the previews dont seem really seem exciting or wowzing enough for the movie to be seen by lots of people!!!!!!!! sorry(my opinion).
Comment #11 | Posted by: platinumjetsetter3 on August 10, 2012 at 05:15 PM
No one can beat Dan! Amen!! XD he is still a good actor though dont get me wrong.
Comment #12 | Posted by: EMERALDDRAGON263 on August 10, 2012 at 06:48 PM
diary of a wimpy kid rocks
Comment #13 | Posted by: frostamber7 on August 11, 2012 at 05:42 AM
I didn't find the book so interesting but the movies were great and i cant wait to see the movie DOG DAYS.......KEEP UP THE GOOD EFFORT...
Comment #14 | Posted by: purplekey6 on August 11, 2012 at 06:43 AM
i love diary of a wimpy kid rodrick rules. my favorite movie by far.
Comment #15 | Posted by: cupcakecat17 on August 11, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Love the books and the movies! Nice work dude!
Comment #16 | Posted by: lightningthief3 on August 11, 2012 at 11:19 AM
True, no one can beat Dan :) Harry Potter RULES! I can't wait to see Dog Days in theaters... I'm going to see it this week!
Comment #17 | Posted by: smartprincess1 on August 11, 2012 at 01:02 PM
NO ONE can replace Daniel Radcliffe. I feel that they have made the Harry Potter movies so wonderful already that they couldn't be better. :)
Comment #18 | Posted by: aquacat586 on August 11, 2012 at 06:04 PM
I love the icecream idea. My favorite song is pary rockers! My favorite Wimpy Kid movie is The Ugly Truth. Personaly the movies are better. Great job Zach!!!!
Comment #19 | Posted by: bluedolphin2092 on August 11, 2012 at 06:17 PM
I am reading every book than gonna watch every movie they forgot to make the last straw movie!
Comment #20 | Posted by: eagleclaws42 on August 12, 2012 at 03:39 AM
I read the book and saw the movie. It waw good, not bad at all.
Comment #21 | Posted by: HappyDolphin112 on August 12, 2012 at 02:16 PM
the series of unfourntune events is one of my favorite books
Comment #22 | Posted by: Mariah on August 12, 2012 at 02:45 PM
Haha I have only seen the first one but now i feel like watching all of them! Good Job Zach!!!!!
Comment #23 | Posted by: Orangemaroon13 on August 12, 2012 at 04:09 PM
I read the whole series
Comment #24 | Posted by: islandpurple18 on August 12, 2012 at 05:30 PM
i love books and i have 6 of the wimpy kid books
Comment #25 | Posted by: gloomydog7 on August 12, 2012 at 05:44 PM