The best movies and TV shows have showcased his incredible range, from playing menacing villains to deeply complex heroes. Born on June 2, 1977, in Pittsburgh, Zachary Quinto first gained attention with his chilling role as Sylar in Heroes before making the leap to the big screen as Spock in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot. His career has been marked by a mix of high-profile franchise roles, gripping television performances, and compelling indie films.

With a background in theater and a commanding screen presence, Zachary Quinto has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. Whether he's portraying real-life figures like Glenn Greenwald in Snowden or embodying the terrifying Charlie Manx in NOS4A2, his ability to bring depth to every role sets him apart. The best Zachary Quinto movies and TV shows highlight his most impressive performances across various genres, portraying a wide range of incredibly complex characters.

Directed by Oliver Stone, 2016’s Snowden is a tense political thriller that dramatizes the true story of real-life whistleblower Edward Snowden. The film follows Snowden, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as he leaks classified NSA documents, exposing government surveillance programs. Zachary Quinto plays Glenn Greenwald in the Snowden cast, the journalist who helps the titular whistleblower publish the shocking revelations.

Though his screen time is limited compared to Gordon-Levitt, Quinto makes an impact, embodying the real-life figure with conviction. The movie’s real-world significance and its gripping subject matter make it an important entry among the best Zachary Quinto movies and TV shows.

An action-packed adaptation of the popular video game franchise, 2015’s Hitman: Agent 47 follows the titular assassin, played by Rupert Friend (replacing Timothy Olyphant from the previous 2007 attempt to turn the games into a cinematic franchise), as he evades a sinister organization. Zachary Quinto flexes his skills portraying antagonists in the 2015 Hitman movie by stepping into the role of John Smith - a relentless antagonist with enhanced abilities, making him a formidable adversary.

He brings an intimidating presence to the role, making John Smith a memorable and physically imposing villain. Directed by Aleksander Bach, the film benefits from slick action sequences, and Quinto's ability to mix menace with charisma makes his role one of its highlights.

A high-concept sci-fi thriller directed by Drew Pearce, 2018’s Hotel Artemis is set in a secret hospital for criminals run by Jodie Foster’s enigmatic Nurse. Quinto plays Crosby, the hot-headed son of a powerful crime boss who becomes a major threat to the hotel’s stability. It’s an intriguing character for Quinto, and one that combines several of his genre strengths - namely, action, thrillers, crime stories, and even a tough of horror at points.

Though his role is relatively small, Zachary Quinto brings an explosive energy to Crosby Franklin, portraying him as both entitled and unpredictable.

Zachary Quinto has been a part of AHS for several seasons, including the very first. While he isn’t in every single series, he’s always a highlight when he appears, which made his return for 2022’s American Horror Story: NYC a celebrated one by the show’s many fans. The eleventh season of American Horror Story delves into a dark and stylish murder mystery set in 1980s New York. Zachary Quinto plays Sam Jones, a wealthy and manipulative club owner with a sinister side, making for one of the season’s most compelling antagonists.

Created by Ryan Murphy, American Horror Story: NYC received praise for its eerie atmosphere and psychological horror elements. Quinto, who had previously appeared in American Horror Story: Asylum, once again proves his ability to bring disturbing characters to life - and stands out due to Sam being a completely different kind of harrowing to the likes of season 2’s Oliver Thredson or season 1’s Chad Warwick.

A gripping medical drama created by Michael Grassi for NBC, Brilliant Minds follows a neurosurgeon with a rare neurological condition that enhances his skills. The show is inspired by Oliver Sacks’ groundbreaking psychological books and studies, and - since he’s the cast lead - represents one of the most cerebral shows Zachary Quinto has been a part of. Quinto plays Oliver Wolf, a senior doctor navigating ethical dilemmas and medical mysteries.

While Brilliant Minds is one of Quinto’s more recent projects, his performance is already earning praise for its depth and emotional nuance. The NBC medical drama’s exploration of medical ethics and human resilience makes it a standout, and Quinto’s commanding screen presence adds to its appeal.

Nosferatu was the horror movie success of 2024, but Zachary Quinto starred in an equally chilling TV show inspired by the titular vampire all the way back in 2019. Based on Joe Hill’s novel, AMC’s NOS4A2 is a supernatural horror series in which Quinto plays the terrifying Charlie Manx, a vampire-like being who feeds on the souls of children.

Created by Jami O’Brien, NOS4A2 received praise for its eerie tone and unique take on horror. Zachary Quinto’s performance, enhanced by extensive prosthetics, is deeply unsettling. His ability to switch between charming and monstrous solidifies Charlie Manx as one of his most disturbing roles. It’s easily one of the best Zachary Quinto movies and TV shows, and should be considered a must-watch for fans who know him through the likes of Heroes and American Horror Story.

While Zachary Quinto has considerable voice-acting experience, there’s one role in particular that stands out as deserves to be counted among his best performances - Invincible. The animated Amazon Prime superhero series Invincible, created by Robert Kirkman and based on his graphic novels of the same name, is known for its brutal action and emotional storytelling. Quinto voices Rudy Connors, a clone struggling with his identity, bringing a mix of intelligence and moral conflict to the role.

Despite relying solely on his vocal skills, Zachary Quinto’s work in Invincible is packed with emotion. He effectively conveys Rudy’s internal struggles, making him a standout among the show’s rich cast of characters.

Quinto’s return to American Horror Story for its second season, Asylum, saw him take on one of his most chilling roles to date. Dr. Oliver Thredson initially appears to be a compassionate and progressive psychiatrist at Briarcliff Manor, but as the season unfolds, he is revealed to be the infamous serial killer known as Bloody Face. His portrayal of Thredson as both outwardly composed and secretly monstrous cemented him as one of the show’s most unforgettable villains.

Created by Ryan Murphy, Asylum is widely regarded as one of the best seasons of American Horror Story, blending psychological horror with disturbing real-world themes. Quinto’s performance earned him critical acclaim, showcasing his ability to transition from likable to terrifying in an instant. His role as Thredson, a character filled with deep psychological complexity, proved that Quinto could dominate the horror genre just as effectively as science fiction. It also expanded his career beyond genre TV, demonstrating his ability to handle dark, complex characters with nuance.

Taking on the role of Spock in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot was a defining moment in Zachary Quinto’s career. Spock, originally portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, is one of the most iconic characters in science fiction, and Quinto was chosen to carry that legacy into the modern era. His performance paid tribute to Nimoy’s portrayal while also adding his own layers of emotional depth. Balancing Spock’s internal conflict between logic and suppressed emotion, Quinto captured the essence of the character while making him relatable to a new generation.

Abrams’ Star Trek was a massive success, breathing new life into the beloved franchise and leading to two sequels, 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness and 2016’s Star Trek Beyond. The role transformed Quinto from a rising TV actor into a bona fide movie star, proving he could lead a blockbuster franchise. His chemistry with Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk and Karl Urban’s Dr. McCoy helped revitalize the franchise’s famous dynamic, and his portrayal of Spock’s struggle with his dual heritage was widely praised. Playing Spock not only expanded Quinto’s career into the realm of sci-fi films but also solidified him as an actor capable of stepping into legendary roles.

Zachary Quinto’s career truly skyrocketed with his portrayal of Sylar in Heroes, a role that made him one of the most recognizable TV villains of the 2000s. As Gabriel Gray, an ordinary watchmaker turned ruthless superpowered serial killer, Sylar had the terrifying ability to steal the abilities of others by cutting open their skulls and studying their brains. Quinto played the role with a perfect blend of menace, intelligence, and occasional vulnerability, making Sylar one of television’s most complex antagonists.

Sylar’s slow-burn reveal as the show’s primary villain was one of its most gripping storylines in Heroes, with Quinto’s chilling performance keeping audiences enthralled. He portrayed Sylar as a character who wasn’t purely evil, but rather driven by an insatiable hunger for power, making him both terrifying and oddly sympathetic at times. Zachary Quinto’s work in Heroes earned him widespread recognition, and his portrayal of Sylar cemented the series as his best TV show or movie so far.