HBO has recently greenlit a pilot for the comedy The Chair Company, created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, indicating an exciting new direction for comedy on television. This collaboration between Robinson and Kanin, who serve as both writers and executive producers, showcases the unique comedic style that audiences have come to love.
This project brings to life the story of a man who finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy after an embarrassing incident at work. This will blend Robinson and Kanin’s signature brand of absurd humor with a plot that feels reminiscent of their previous collaborations.
With a storyline that mirrors the absurd humor seen in their previous works, including Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, this project is set to be a notable addition to their repertoire.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Zach Kanin. From his net worth and ethnicity to personal insights and professional milestones, we aim to shed light on his life.
He Comes from a Jewish Background
Zach is proud of his Jewish heritage, tracing his roots back to Russia. Both of his parents, Dennis R. Kanin and Carol Kanin (née Licht) are Jewish. His maternal great-grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants.
His mother worked as the finance director for a Massachusetts representative, while his father owns a real estate development firm in Boston.
Zach’s late Grandfather Was One of the First Jewish Governors in the US
Zach’s maternal grandfather, Frank Licht, was a pretty big deal in Rhode Island’s history. He was the first Jewish governor of the state, serving from 1969 to 1973.
Before becoming governor, Licht was really involved in Rhode Island’s legal and political scene. He was a judge on the Rhode Island Superior Court for over a decade, from 1956 to 1968. Even before that, he was part of the Rhode Island Senate from 1949 to 1956.
Having a grandfather who broke new ground as the state’s first Jewish governor is not only cool but also meaningful. It shows that Zach comes from a family that’s not afraid to lead and make history.
He Is Married to the Daughter of the Former California State Treasurer
Since June 2nd, 2011, Zach has been married to Christina Angelides, who is the daughter of Philip N. Angelidas, the former state treasurer of California. The wedding ceremony took place at Zach’s family summer home in Harwich Port, Massachusetts. The pair first met while studying at Harvard University.
Christina works as a federal policy advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York. She focuses on advancing policies that promote energy efficiency and alternatives to fossil fuels, showing her commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
His Lives a Pretty Well-Off Life
Kanin has an estimated fortune of around $500,000, showcasing a comfortable and well-off lifestyle. This financial stability partly comes from his successful career and also from his family’s strong financial background. His father is one of the two principals at New Boston Ventures, a company known for its work in real estate and housing development.
A Look Into His Multi-Faceted Career
Zach Kanin’s journey in the creative industry showcases a versatile and dynamic career path, beginning shortly after college when he served as an assistant to Robert Mankoff, the cartoons editor at The New Yorker. This pivotal role, lasting two years, laid the groundwork for his eventual submission of work to the magazine.
By 2014, Kanin published approximately 300 cartoons in The New Yorker, earning recognition for a style that Richard Gehr of The Comics Journal described as existing in “a slightly surreal place where things have gone sometimes seriously awry.”
In 2011, Kanin’s career took a significant turn when he joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live (SNL). He worked there until 2016. It was during his time at SNL that he met Tim Robinson, and the two forged a writing partnership.
Together, they created the series Detroiters, which aired from 2017 to 2018, and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, which started in 2019 and continues to receive acclaim.
Beyond these collaborations, Kanin has contributed his writing talents to Documentary Now!, The Characters, and Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special.
