Introduction
Jim Zulevic (February 20, 1965 – January 7, 2006) was an American actor, improvisational comedian, television writer, and radio host. He died suddenly, most likely due to a heart attack, at age 40.
Early life
Zulevic, of Scottish and Croatian extraction, grew up in Chicago, where he graduated from St. Thomas More Grammar School, Brother Rice High School and Columbia College Chicago.
He went on to work a number of jobs, from underaged bouncer at Chicago's famed Exit club to a runner at the Board of Trade to support his acting habit. All the while he studied at The Second City, where he was taken under the wing of mentor Sheldon Patinkin. Before joining the Second City, he performed for a short time at Chicago's Improv Institute.
Second City
Zulevic joined The Second City comedy troupe in 1992. He starred in nine stage revues, including "Paradigm Lost" in 1997 with Tina Fey, Scott Adsit and Rachel Dratch. Zulevic created his most famous character of "Billy" at this time.
Television
Zulevic wrote for the Jamie Kennedy Experiment. He appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Drew Carey Show, Early Edition, Prison Break, Real Time with Bill Maher, The Shield, and the final episode of the long-running series, Seinfeld.
He also created commercials for the Fox Broadcasting Company in Chicago, where he was known for his quirky comments on reruns of The Simpsons.
Movies
Zulevic appeared in The Bogus Witch Project, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Let's Go to Prison, Matchstick Men, The Specials, and Talent. He also directed a comedy short, Baby Time Share, in 2005.
Other activities
Zulevic hosted the weekly radio show "Second City Radio" on WCKG-FM, and taught improv classes at Columbia College Chicago and The Second City. Jim was working on a project based on the July 1979 Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park at the time of his death.
Filmography
- Early Edition (2 episodes, 1996–1999)
- Seinfeld (1 episode, 1998)
- Talent (1998)
- Time Served (1999) (TV Movie)
- The Specials (2000)
- The Bogus Witch Project (2000) (TV Movie)
- The Near Future (2000) (TV Movie)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (1 episode, 2001)
- The Drew Carey Show (2 episodes, 2001)
- Matchstick Men (2003)
- Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)
- 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (2004)
- The Shield (1 episode, 2004)
- Prison Break (1 episode, 2005)
- Real Time with Bill Maher (1 episode, 2005)
- Let's Go to Prison (2006)