Zachary Rist first began making Jackass films with his younger brother in Columbus, Ohio. Since a young age, he made short comedies, skits, and films with his close friends. He studies Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. Even while attending school in Los Angeles he continues to create episodes for a web series starring him and his little sister, Emily, called Big Fat. His first film as a student at USC was F of X (2018) and he works as the segment director and editor for the school's television station, Trojan Vision, on the show Below the Line.