Zach Kornfeld

Zach Kornfeld is a producer, director, and digital media entrepreneur recognized as a co-founder of The Try Guys, a prominent comedy ensemble in online video. The group was formed at BuzzFeed by Kornfeld, Eugene Lee Yang, Ned Fulmer, and Keith Habersberger, beginning with their first video, "Guys Try Ladies' Underwear for the First Time." The series was the first BuzzFeed show to consistently feature the same group of talent and to turn BuzzFeed producers into on-camera personalities, a format that influenced much of BuzzFeed's original programming. Kornfeld graduated from Emerson College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

After building a significant following at BuzzFeed, the four men established their own company, 2nd Try LLC. Kornfeld contributed to the development of this independent production company. The Try Guys' YouTube channel has received more than 2.5 billion views and over 8 million subscribers. The group hosted the Streamy Awards and won the audience choice Show of the Year award. Expanding beyond digital platforms, they starred in the Food Network series "No Recipe Road Trip with the Try Guys," where they recreated signature menu items in restaurants across the country. The group also embarked on the "Legends of the Internet" tour and launched "The TryPod" podcast. They introduced a boutique subscription streaming service called 2ndTry TV.

Kornfeld's work extends beyond digital content creation. The Try Guys co-authored the book "The Hidden Power of F*cking Up," which reached the number one position on the New York Times Best Seller list in the self-help, advice, and miscellaneous category. The book explores how each member challenged themselves to improve their lives and discusses the impact of their failures. Kornfeld is also an award-winning podcast host and operates a production company in Los Angeles focused on bridging digital and traditional media.

Kornfeld is a prominent voice for chronic illness awareness. He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disease affecting the spine. In his video "I Have an Autoimmune Disease," Kornfeld discussed his journey to diagnosis, including years of chronic back problems that were initially ignored and later misdiagnosed. The video resonated with audiences, garnering nearly 4.9 million views and making an impact in the chronic illness community. Kornfeld is a chronic pain advocate and founded Zadiko Tea Co. to address his own invisible illness. His openness about personal challenges and professional achievements has established him as a relatable figure in digital media, chronic illness advocacy, and entrepreneurship.