Zach Kornfeld

Zachary Andrew "Zach" Kornfeld is an American online content creator, producer, and entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of the online entertainment group and media production company The Try Guys. Originally formed while working at BuzzFeed, the group achieved widespread popularity for on-camera videos in which they tested various activities, products, and lifestyle experiences. Kornfeld later co-established the independent studio 2nd Try LLC to own, manage, and expand the group's digital media projects and corporate ventures.

Kornfeld was born on July 26, 1990, in Scarsdale, New York, to Jewish parents Adam and Margo Kornfeld. He selected the Hebrew name Rakedan, which translates to dancer. His interest in filmmaking and editing developed during childhood after he received a LEGO Steven Spielberg Movie Maker Kit. As a child actor, he appeared on an episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Elijah Wood that aired in December 2003. He later attended Emerson College, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In his late twenties, he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis.

While working as a producer at BuzzFeed, Kornfeld teamed up with Eugene Lee Yang, Keith Habersberger, and Ned Fulmer to create their first video, "Guys Try Ladies' Underwear for the First Time," in 2014. The concept established the first recurring cast of producers turned on-camera personalities at the company. Their productions accumulated over 100 million views on BuzzFeed's channel. During this era, the group starred in the 2017 YouTube Red series Squad Wars, earned a Streamy Award nomination in 2017, and hosted the 8th Annual Streamy Awards in 2018, where they won the audience choice award for Show of the Year.

In June 2018, Kornfeld and his co-creators left BuzzFeed as their contracts expired to establish their independent production company, 2nd Try LLC, acquiring full rights to the brand. Beyond online video, Kornfeld co-authored the book The Hidden Power of F*cking Up, published by HarperCollins in June 2019, which reached number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. The group also launched a nationwide tour titled "Legends of the Internet" and created a podcast called The TryPod.

In May 2020, Kornfeld documented his efforts to launch his own business, Zadiko Tea Co., in a six-part video series on the channel focused on starting a company for under $500. He also participated in the group's broadcast media ventures, including co-hosting the Food Network show No Recipe Road Trip with the Try Guys, which premiered its six-episode season in August 2022.

Kornfeld has continued to lead the company through several major developments, including the launch of the subscription streaming platform 2ndTry TV in May 2024 and the rollout of the channel Try Every Day in September 2025. In his personal life, Kornfeld underwent hair restoration procedures in 2019. He married his longtime partner, Margaret "Maggie" Bustamante, in February 2023, and the couple welcomed a daughter named Lucia in 2025.