Zack Snyder is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer, widely recognized for his work on visually striking action films, including Justice League and Dawn of the Dead.
Zack Snyder was born on March 1, 1966, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He developed an early interest in the arts and began his formal training in painting at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in London. He later transferred to the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he studied film and laid the foundation for his future in the movie industry.
Snyder made his feature film directorial debut with the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, starring Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames. The film was both a critical and commercial success, paving the way for bigger projects. His follow-up, 300 (2007), based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, starred Gerard Butler and grossed over $210 million domestically on a $65 million budget. Its stylized visuals and epic storytelling became a hallmark of Snyder's directing style.
In 2009, Snyder directed Watchmen with a budget of approximately $130 million. As a fan of the original graphic novel, he aimed to stay true to the source material. The film featured performances by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, and Billy Crudup, and it earned praise for its visual style and ambition, even if it polarized some critics.
Snyder continued diversifying his filmography with the animated feature Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010), and the fantasy action film Sucker Punch (2011), known for its stylized action sequences and female-led narrative.
In 2013, Snyder directed Man of Steel, launching the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and marking the first collaboration with actor Henry Cavill as Superman. This was followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016. Snyder developed the story for Justice League (2017), which he also directed. However, he stepped down during post-production due to a family tragedy, and the film was completed by Joss Whedon. Dissatisfied fans campaigned for the original version, ultimately leading to the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max in 2021.
Although Snyder did not write the story for Wonder Woman (2017), he served as a producer and contributed to the overall development of the DCEU. Actor Henry Cavill publicly expressed his support for Snyder, stating in an interview that he was pleased Zack could fulfill his vision with the release of the Snyder Cut, calling it an important accomplishment for any filmmaker.
In addition to his feature films, Snyder has an extensive background in commercials and visual media. Working as both a director and cinematographer, he earned several industry accolades, including two Clio Awards. His Jeep "Frisbee" commercial received a Gold Lion Award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. He has directed commercials for prominent brands such as Audi, Budweiser, Subaru, and Compuware.
Snyder has also taken on photographic projects, creating notable visual portraits of athletes like Michael Jordan, Martina Navratilova, and Troy Aikman for major brands including Nike and Reebok.
Zack Snyder is married to producer Deborah Snyder. Together, they have two children. He also has four children from his previous marriage to Denise Michelle Weber. Snyder has been open about how his family has influenced both his personal and professional life, often bringing emotional depth to his creative decisions.
| Net Worth 2021: | 60 million |
