Jack Plotnick

Born and educated: Jack Stuart Plotnick was born on October 30, 1968, in Columbus (often referred to as Worthington), Ohio, the youngest of four siblings. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1987 and later pursued his passion for acting at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Acting breakthrough and television career: Plotnick began his career in comedic character roles, appearing in sitcoms like Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, and earning recurring parts on Ellen and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (as Deputy Mayor Allan Finch). He gained a cult following by voicing Xandir P. Whifflebottom on the animated comedy Drawn Together and portraying the drag persona Evie Harris in the camp classic Girls Will Be Girls, a performance that earned him Best Actor and “Best Actress” honors at Outfest 2003 and the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival .

Film roles and genre flexibility: On screen, Plotnick delivered notable performances in Gods and Monsters (as Edmund Kay) and appeared in Down with Love, Rubber, and the surreal indie comedy Wrong (2012), directed by Quentin Dupieux, in which he played the lead role of Dolph Springer.

Writing, producing, directing: Alongside acting, Plotnick has built an impressive creative resume. He co-wrote and directed the sci-fi comedy feature Space Station 76 (2014), and served as writer, producer, and actor in the Lifetime sitcom Lovespring International. He also co-wrote the Broadway musical Disaster!, receiving critical praise and a New York Times Critics’ Pick.

Ongoing impact and community contributions: Beyond performance, Plotnick actively shares his craft through acting workshops in Los Angeles, New York, and online. He wrote and offers a free ebook titled New Thoughts for Actors to support emerging artists. Openly gay and Jewish, Plotnick continues to be admired for his originality, inclusive storytelling, and mentorship in a career spanning over 130 film and TV credits .

Jack Plotnick remains a dynamic force in the entertainment world—equally comfortable in mainstream television, independent film, drag satire, and musical theater, always with a touch of wit, creativity, and heart.