Having starred in more than 20 feature films and on television countless times, Zelniker is perhaps best known for his portrayal of trumpeter Red Rodney in Clint Eastwood’s award winning bio-pic BIRD; and for his Canadian Academy Award (Genie Award) winning performance in THE TERRY FOX STORY, with Robert Duvall. Zelniker was born and raised in Montreal where he received his professional training as an actor at Dawson College’s Dome Theatre School. After graduating, he began working in theaters all across Canada doing everything from Shakespeare to David Mamet, appearing in numerous Equity productions, including AMADEUS, HENRY V, MOTHER COURAGE, TOTAL ECLIPSE and AMERICAN BUFFALO. During this period, he also co-starred in several award winning feature films including TICKET TO HEAVEN, HEARTACHES and THE TERRY FOX STORY.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Zelniker has worked extensively in both movies and television including co-starring with Peter Weller in David Cronenberg’s NAKED LUNCH; QUEENS LOGIC with John Malkovich and Kevin Bacon; TOUCH AND GO with Michael Keaton; and BIRD with Forest Whitaker. Some notable television movies include the Showtime mini-series THE NEON EMPIRE; Masterpiece Theatre’s GLORY ENOUGH FOR ALL for PBS; and the ABC mini-series CROSSINGS with Christopher Plummer. Zelniker guest starred numerous times on series such as THE DEAD ZONE, CHICAGO HOPE, MILLENNIUM, PROFILER, THE INSIDE, STRONG MEDICINE, VERITAS THE QUEST, FOR THE PEOPLE, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT and MURDER SHE WROTE.
Zelniker starred in a number of independent films including, SNIDE AND PREJUDICE, directed by Philippe Mora; AIR TIME, directed by Gary Fleder that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival; and the Sundance Lab developed feature, AFTER IMAGE. Zelniker’s theater directing credits include the critically acclaimed CHILD’S PLAY, at the John Anson Ford Theatre, the sketch comedy show, WHITE HOUSE CHICKS at the HBO Workspace, MOONCHILDREN and WAITING FOR LEFTY at the Lillian Theater, and ONE LOVE and LOVE AND DEATH AND OTHER TRIVIAL MATTERS at the Artworks.
As a filmmaker, Zelniker co-wrote, produced, and played the title character in the critically acclaimed, multi-festival award winning feature, STUART BLISS. He also directed, co-wrote and produced the experimental feature, FALLING… that premiered at Indie Fest USA International Film Festival, winning their Best of Festival Award. Zelniker taught Acting for Film, Chekhov Technique and Performing Shakespeare at the Los Angeles campus of the New York Film Academy between 2013 and 2018 after working at AMDA for nine years where he taught Acting for the Camera, Acting Technique and Playing Shakespeare. Zelniker is a member of the Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps, (Vice President Al Gore’s organization), serving as the Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Chapter from 2018 – 2021 and as a mentor at numerous climate leader trainings.
THE ISSUE WITH TISSUE marks Zelniker’s first foray into documentary filmmaking.