Early Life and Background
Zoe Swicord Kazan was born on September 9, 1983, in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of screenwriters Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord. Kazan attended Yale University, where she studied theater and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005.
Kazan is a fourth-generation actress in her family, with her maternal grandmother being the prominent screenwriter Frances Goodrich. She began her acting career in the early 2000s, making her off-Broadway debut in 2006.
Career Highlights and Major Roles
Kazan made her film debut in 2003 with a small role in "Swordswallowers and Thin Men." She gained wider recognition for her role as Emily Gardner in the 2010 independent film "The Pretty One." Her performance in "Ruby Sparks" (2012), which she also co-wrote, earned critical acclaim.
On television, Kazan starred as Ivy in the HBO limited series "The Undoing" (2020) alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. She also appeared in the Showtime series "The Looming Tower" (2018) as Ali Mohamed's wife. Her stage work includes a 2017 Broadway production of "The Big Knife."
Notable Filmography
Kazan's filmography includes roles in "The Savages" (2007), "Revolutionary Road" (2008), "Meek's Cutoff" (2010), "What Then" (2017), and "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" (2018). She has appeared in over 25 film and television projects since 2003.
Writing Credits
In addition to acting, Kazan co-wrote the screenplay for "Ruby Sparks" (2012) with director Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. She also wrote and starred in "The Pretty One" (2013). Her writing work focuses on character-driven romantic dramas.
Recent Projects
Kazan appeared in the 2023 film "Wildcat" alongside Maya Hawke, a biographical drama about author Flannery O'Connor. She has been developing new projects as both an actress and writer in the independent film sector.
Industry Recognition
Kazan has been nominated for several awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for her ensemble work on "The Big Knife." She continues to be recognized as a versatile performer in both independent and mainstream productions.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
Zoe Kazan's estimated net worth is approximately $4 million, based on her earnings from film, television, and theater roles. Her primary income sources include acting salaries, writing credits, and stage performances. The bulk of her wealth has been accumulated through her work in the entertainment industry since the mid-2000s.
Kazan's earnings per project vary, with independent films typically paying less than studio productions. Her net worth reflects a steady career trajectory rather than blockbuster-level compensation. She maintains a relatively private financial profile compared to higher-profile Hollywood peers.
For context on entertainment industry earnings, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data on actor median pay here.
Additional financial context for the entertainment sector can be found on the SEC's website