Zach Galifianakis is on a roll. Just over the last few years, the red-bearded actor's star has risen with major movie and TV roles, and one famous appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher. Not bad for this former underground comic.

Born Oct. 1, 1969 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Galifianakis attended North Carolina State. His stand-up act, which is reminiscent of Steven Wright's, eventually led to him touring with Brian Posehn, Patton Oswalt and Maria Bamford as part of The Comedians of Comedy in 2005. A movie and Comedy Central series about the tour followed.

In 2006, he appeared with Matt Walsh, Andrea Savage and A.D. Miles in the sketch-comedy show, Dog Bites Man, also on Comedy Central. He guested on Reno 911! and The Sarah Silverman Program (as a homeless guy). His Funny or Die web series Between Two Ferns hilariously sends up the talk-show format.

Galifianakis' breakthrough came in 2009 playing Alan in Phillips' smash hit, The Hangover. Audiences fell in love with his deadpan humor and roly-poly character, which has led to bigger and better roles, such as Ethan in this year's Due Date and Ray in HBO's quirky comedy Bored to Death. He's currenty starring in The Hangover Part II.

On his website, Galifianakis traces his own biography:

"I am from the foothills of North Carolina. I now live in the mountains of that state. And also live in Brooklyn. I come from a strong family. I enjoy tractors and red wine. I feel that living your life in contradiction keeps one confused and happy. I dislike those that litter. Sometimes I like to go to the zoo and ride on the backs of bison. I dream of Iceland from time to time. It makes me laugh when people miscommunicate. I like walking over bridges and hate Donald Trump or anything like him. The entertainment business is both poison and honey. I drive a Subaru. It is an automatic. I cry sometimes in that car. I perform my routines around America."

Stoners love Galifianakis because many of his characters smoke marijuana. To re-enforce that image, he boldly smoked a joint on the Oct. 29 episode of Real Time, just four days before the Prop 19 vote to legalize marijuana in California. While Maher said it was "cloves or something," Galifianakis told Jimmy Fallon, "I don't know why that's such a big deal, that's not allowed on TV, but The Real Housewives of Atlanta is allowed."

During his monologue on Saturday Night Live on Mar. 12, the comedian donned an "Annie" outfit and sang "Tomorrow." He pointed to an easel with a pad as he warbled out of tune. "Clap if you endorse legalized marijuana," one sign said. "I smoke so much pot sometimes I forget to smoke it," another read.

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