James Zahn, also known as "The Rock Father," is a multi-hyphenate with a diverse range of work spanning entertainment, business, and publishing. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, the leading trade publication for the toy industry, as well as Senior Editor of The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider.
As a writer, media personality, commentator, director, actor, adventurer, and raconteur, Zahn has made a name for himself in the pop culture and toy enthusiast communities. He has been featured in various media outlets, including Yahoo! Finance, CNN, FOX Business, MarketWatch, Forbes, NBC, ABC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The NY Post, The Chicago Tribune, PopSugar, and many more.
Born and raised in the South Suburbs of Chicago, Zahn's passion for pop culture began at a young age. He spent much of his youth drawing, writing, and performing, and his first short story, "The Little Champ," won the Illinois Young Author Award in 1987.
Zahn's early career in filmmaking began with his first short film, "Art Attack," which he shot using a Super 8mm camera in 1989. He went on to create his own cable-access program, "ZTV," which debuted in 1992 and became a cult hit in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.
Throughout the 1990s, Zahn continued to pursue his passions, writing and taking photographs for regional arts magazines, and even fronting a rock band called "Odlid!" The band released one full-length album and performed at various venues before disbanding in 1998.
In the 2000s, Zahn returned to music, releasing a series of unreleased demos and a track for Artisan Entertainment's "Blair Witchmix." He also began directing short films, music videos, and industrial videos, and acting in various projects.
In 2004, Zahn founded FMFE, an outlet for his creative endeavors, and began work on a concept project called "Saturday Action Theatre." He also started working on the screenplay for the crime-horror mashup "Death Walks the Streets," which spent several years in development hell before stalling.
In the 2010s, Zahn continued to work on various projects, including a prequel comic book series based on "Death Walks the Streets," which was published by Fangoria Graphix. He also began appearing in television commercials for Wendy's and appeared in an "Alcohol Sales Training" video for Walgreens stores.
In 2011, Zahn announced that he would be taking a break from acting to focus on personal projects, including his work with a newly launched publication called Kik Axe Music. He also returned to filmmaking, creating a concept short film for the American heavy metal band Product of Hate.
In 2012, Zahn revealed that he would be leaving his role as Editor-in-Chief at Kik Axe Music behind to focus solely on his personal brand and publication, The Rock Father Magazine. Over the past decade, he has continued to combine his passions into a multi-pronged approach across print, digital, and filmed media.
Today, Zahn is a sought-after expert in the toy industry, serving as Senior Editor of The Toy Book and Deputy Editor of The Toy Insider. He has also become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, providing expert commentary for various TV shows and appearing as a guest on several programs.
