You probably know him as the guy who spent five years stumbling through opulent hallways, asking for "ludicrously capacious" helpings of power. Nicholas Braun’s tenure as Greg Hirsch on HBO’s Succession didn’t just make him a household name; it turned him into a specific kind of cultural shorthand for the awkward, towering underdog who might—just might—be a sociopath.
But if you look at the full list of Nicholas Braun movies and tv shows, you'll realize the "Cousin Greg" energy is only one tool in a surprisingly deep kit. From his early days as a Disney Channel staple to his recent turn playing two different legends in a single movie, Braun has been playing the long game. Honestly, it’s a bit weird to see him in a suit now without expecting him to puke through the eyes of a mascot costume.
The Succession Peak and the "Greg" Archetype
We have to start with the elephant in the room. Or rather, the 6'7" guy in the room. Succession changed everything. From 2018 to 2023, Braun played Gregory Hirsch with a stuttering, nervous energy that felt incredibly real. He wasn't just comic relief; he was the audience's surrogate who eventually became just as "poisoned" as the rest of the Roy family.
His chemistry with Matthew Macfadyen (Tom Wambsgans) became the spine of the show’s humor. But here’s what most people get wrong: they think Braun is Greg. In reality, that performance required a massive amount of physical control. He used his height as a disadvantage, hunching and folding himself into corners to look smaller and more pathetic than he actually is.
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Breaking the Typecast
After the show wrapped in 2023, the industry waited to see if he’d just play "awkward tall guy" forever. He didn't.
- Cat Person (2023): This was a huge tonal shift. Based on the viral New Yorker story, Braun played Robert, a character who starts as a "nice guy" but slowly reveals a deeply unsettling, manipulative side. It was a polarizing film, but it proved he could play a genuine antagonist.
- Dream Scenario (2023): He popped up here alongside Nicolas Cage, playing a slick, trend-chasing marketing executive. No stuttering. No bumbling. Just pure, soulless corporate ambition.
- Saturday Night (2024): This might be his most ambitious move yet. In the Jason Reitman film about the first episode of SNL, Braun pulled double duty. He played both Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman. Think about that: the gentle soul of the Muppets and the chaotic, confrontational energy of Kaufman. That’s a massive swing for an actor people once called "one-note."
The Disney Years and the Road to Fame
Before the Emmys and the A24 dramas, Braun was a workhorse in the teen-comedy circuit. If you’re a certain age, you remember him from Sky High (2005) as Zach, the kid who could glow in the dark but didn't actually have "super" powers. It was a perfect early indicator of his ability to play the lovable outsider.
He basically lived on Disney Channel for a few years. He was the tech-savvy Zeke in Minutemen and the charmingly dorky Ed in Princess Protection Program alongside Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. Most actors try to bury their Disney past once they get an HBO contract, but Braun’s early work is where he polished that timing.
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Then came the short-lived 10 Things I Hate About You TV series. He played Cameron James (the Joseph Gordon-Levitt role from the movie). The show only lasted one season, but it’s a cult favorite for a reason—Braun brought a sincerity to the role that kept it from being a cheap imitation of the original.
Essential Nicholas Braun Movies and TV Shows: A Quick Rundown
If you’re trying to catch up on his filmography, you can’t just stick to the hits. You have to see the weird stuff.
The "Must-Watch" List:
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- Zola (2021): He plays Derrek, the incredibly dim-witted boyfriend of a stripper on a wild Florida road trip. He spends half the movie crying or falling over. It’s a masterclass in "pathetic funny."
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): Look closely and you’ll see him as "Ponytail Derek." It’s a small role, but it’s part of that 2010s indie-darling era he thrived in.
- Red State (2011): This was a pivot. In Kevin Smith’s horror-thriller, Braun played a teenager trapped by a fundamentalist cult. It was dark, gritty, and miles away from Disney.
- The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015): He played Karl Vandy in this chilling true-story adaptation. It’s uncomfortable to watch, which is exactly why it’s good.
What’s Next for Braun?
As of 2026, Braun isn't slowing down. He’s currently moving into what I’d call his "character actor" phase, where he’s less interested in being the lead and more interested in being the most interesting person in the room.
- The Sheep Detectives (2026): This one is bizarre and brilliant. Based on the novel Three Bags Full, it’s a murder mystery where the detectives are... sheep. Braun plays Tim Derry. It’s the kind of high-concept project that allows his physical comedy to shine.
- Splitsville (2025): A recent comedy where he stars as Matt. It’s a return to his comedic roots but with a more adult, cynical edge.
- Stage Work: He’s also been hitting the boards. His 2025 run in Gruesome Playground Injuries off-Broadway showed a vulnerability that TV cameras sometimes miss. Following that, his Broadway debut in All Out: Comedy About Ambition cemented him as a legitimate theater threat.
Finding the Nuance
There’s a misconception that Braun is just "lucky" to be tall and awkward. That’s a lazy take. If you watch his guest spots on shows like Documentary Now! or his voice work in The Simpsons (where he played a parody of himself/Greg), you see a guy who is deeply in on the joke. He knows his "type," and he’s spent the last few years systematically deconstructing it.
He’s also one of the few actors who successfully navigated the transition from "teen actor" to "prestige TV star" without a public breakdown or a ten-year disappearance. That takes a specific kind of professional discipline.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to actually see the range of Nicholas Braun movies and tv shows, don't just re-watch Succession for the fifth time.
Start with Zola to see his comedic timing at its peak. Then, jump to Cat Person to see him play a role that will make you genuinely dislike him—which is a compliment to his acting. If you can find it, track down Saturday Night to see his Jim Henson/Andy Kaufman transformation. It’s the closest thing to a "final exam" for his career so far, and he passed with flying colors. Check your local streaming listings, as many of his A24 and Disney-era projects rotate between Max, Hulu, and Disney+ regularly.