A movie star and more, this simian standout is a triple threat: actor, singer, dancer AND raconteur! From starring on the silver screen to swinging in the glory days of Vegas, Dr. Z has been there and done that. He’s worked, played, cavorted and romped with everyone who was anyone, and some more that were nobodies. Dr. Z is a one-man history of show business. And he’ll see you … now. Dr. Z is a fully realized satirical persona inspired by the iconic Dr. Zaius from the 1968 film Planet of the Apes, reimagined as a cultured, oldHollywood talkshow host with a sharp wit and an uncanny grasp of modern pop culture. While rooted in classic sciencefiction lore, Dr. Z exists as a standalone comedic character—an aging Hollywood insider offering commentary, interviews, and musical interludes from an alternate entertainment universe. The character blends midcentury television aesthetics with contemporary humor, positioning Dr. Z as both a nostalgic throwback and a timely cultural commentator. His worldview reflects themes of power, nostalgia, cultural decay, and celebrity mythmaking, all delivered with warmth, irony, and theatrical precision. Dana Gould is an American Emmy-nominated comedian, writer, producer, and actor with a career spanning standup comedy, television, and character driven satire. He is best known for his work as a writer and producer on The Simpsons, as well as for creating genreblending comedy projects, including his own stand-up, that fuse nostalgia, pop culture and absurdism with sharp satire.
 A lifelong Planet of the Apes devotee, Gould has performed variations of the Dr. Zaius character in live comedy for years, ultimately evolving the persona into Dr. Z. Under extensive prosthetic makeup applied by veteran FX artist Andy Schoneberg, Gould fully inhabits the character, delivering a consistent voice, physicality, and worldview that has allowed Dr. Z to stand independently from its original inspiration. Through Hanging with Doctor Z, Gould brings together his deep knowledge of classic Hollywood, science fiction, and television history with contemporary comedic sensibilities—positioning the series as both parody and homage. Hanging with Doctor Z originated as a YouTubebased talkshow series that launched in February 2021 with three seasons available for viewing. Designed as a retro latenight television parody, the series features Dr. Z hosting realworld celebrity guests in fully produced episodes complete with analog visuals, practical sets, and full prosthetic makeup. Episodes typically run 20–25 minutes and combine interviews, musical numbers, monologues, and recurring segments. The show has built a cult following among comedy fans, popculture historians, and Planet of the Apes enthusiasts, earning praise for its production quality, originality, and commitment to character. As the series evolves, Hanging with Doctor Z has expanded beyond YouTube into live stage performances and a podcast-video hybrid format, broadening its reach while maintaining its distinctive voice and aesthetic. All three seasons are available to listen to on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart and the full video series is available on YouTube. Season 4 is in development with GRAiNEY PICTURES and expected in the Fall of 2026.