People of the Year 2004: Zach Braff

When contract players on NBC sitcoms start writing, directing and starring in their own movies, it's either a cinematic renaissance or a sign of the apocalypse. Fortunately, Garden State, the film debut of Zach Braff -- otherwise known as J.D. on Scrubs -- was clever and funny, rightly acclaimed as the year's best date movie. He spoke with us in Los Angeles, between a full day of shooting Scrubs and a full evening of Internet backgammon.

Has this been the best year of your life?

Yeah, this and the birth year.

Do you remember the birth year?

No, I think that'd be weird. This year was beyond anything. And it just keeps on going. I have a gold record in my office for the soundtrack.

And you got a Grammy nomination!

I did! It's so random! It's preposterous! I've got so many friends who are musicians, I don't want to tell them that I got nominated for a Grammy. It's obviously not about me, it's these amazing musicians. But you know what's cool about it? Essentially, I made a mix CD of my favorite bands, and suddenly the movie comes out, and they can't keep it on shelves.

Did you cry this year?

Yeah, I cry in movies. And I cry when I watch that reality show on Sunday nights where they take the family who's got nothing and no money and handicapped children and redo their house [Extreme Makeover: Home Edition].

Can you describe your year in five words?

That's tough. "I keep waiting for something awful to happen, like getting hit by a bus." Is that more than five?

Next: Kanye West