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Zay Harding
Zay Harding
Zay Harding
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Zavan Kerr "Zay" Harding (born November 1, 1974) is an American television personality and actor, who may be best known as "Jeff Northcutt" on the MTV television serial, Spyder Games, and as a host of the adventure travel television series, Globe Trekker.[1][2] He is also the host of Tough Trains, a docu-travel series from the English producers of Globe Trekker. In his more than 20 years of on-camera experience, Zay has hosted shows on PBS, OLN, National Geographic, Travel, Discovery, and History channels. Other notable TV appearances include guest-starring and co-starring roles on CBS's Hawaii Five-0, FX's American Horror Story and ABC's Mistresses.

Key Information

He graduated with honors from Punahou School on Oahu, Hawaii, in 1993; and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a B.F.A. degree in 1997, with a minor in Art.

Zay was named after his legendary great-grandfather on his mother's side, Zay Jeffries — American mining engineer; metallurgist; awarded Doctor of Science from Harvard University; inventor of original Selson Blue formula; 1946 recipient of the John Fritz Medal; vice-president of General Electric (GE); recipient of President Truman's Medal for Merit for developing artillery shells capable of piercing the armor of World War II German tanks to win the war; and consulting engineer on the Manhattan Project, which produced the first atomic bomb.

On his father's side, Zay is also the grandson of former sergeant at arms of the United States House of Representatives, Kenneth R. Harding.

Zay is currently [when?] co-producing an environmental show with VoLo Foundation and Pilot Productions in the U.K., called Extreme Green, in which they scour the planet for alternative solutions to climate change.

References

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Zay Harding

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Zay Harding is an American television host and actor known for his adventurous presenting style on the long-running travel documentary series Globe Trekker and for guest roles in scripted television shows. Born on November 1, 1974, in Lihue, Hawaii, he grew up immersed in outdoor activities on the islands and achieved high ranks in the Boy Scouts, experiences that shaped his comfort with challenging environments despite a noted fear of heights. Harding entered the television industry through adventure programming, first appearing on Treks in a Wild World after a nationwide casting in 1998. He went on to host Globe Trekker for many years, tackling demanding assignments that included hiking Mexico's Copper Canyon, living with remote tribes in West Papua, motorcycling through Vietnam, and competing in traditional wrestling in Cameroon, often embracing the most physically and culturally intense journeys that highlighted local knowledge and resilience. His outgoing and entertaining personality made him a standout on the series, where he emphasized preparation, common sense, and immersion in diverse cultures. In addition to travel hosting, Harding has pursued acting, appearing in episodes of American Horror Story, Hawaii Five-0, and other productions, while also working as a producer and writer on select projects. More recently, he hosts and executive produces The Visioneers with Zay Harding, a CBS series for teens that explores eco-innovators, scientists, and technologies addressing environmental challenges worldwide, continuing his focus on inspirational global storytelling. He resides in Los Angeles and maintains an active involvement in travel, production, and family life.

Early life

Birth and background

Zay Harding was born Zavan Kerr Harding on November 1, 1974, in Lihue, Hawaii, United States. He grew up in Hawaii, spending his early years on the island of Kauai before his family moved to Oahu when he was eight years old, where he remained until finishing high school. His childhood included growing up on Hawaii's beaches and participating in the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Career

Entry into the industry

Zay Harding entered the entertainment industry in 2000 at the age of 25, beginning his career in television with adventure travel programming. His first professional involvement came as a trekker and presenter on the series Treks in a Wild World, produced by Pilot Productions, where he appeared in 11 episodes between 2000 and 2003. This experience served as his initial foray into on-screen adventure travel hosting. That same year, Harding made his acting debut in the feature film Down to You (2000). His early work in both television hosting and acting laid the foundation for a career spanning more than 25 years, during which he has appeared as a host or guest star on various shows across networks including PBS, Discovery Channel, and others.

Known professional credits

Zay Harding has built a multifaceted career across acting, hosting, producing, writing, and technical roles in television and film. He is best known as a host and presenter on adventure travel series, most prominently Globe Trekker (2004–2017), where he appeared in various capacities including Self - Traveller, Self - Host, Self - Presenter, Self - Narrator, and Self - Trekker across approximately 20 to 21 episodes. Earlier hosting work included Treks in a Wild World (2000–2003), in which he featured as Self - Trekker in 11 episodes, and Digging for the Truth (2007), where he served as Self - Host for 2 episodes. More recent presenting credits include Tough Trains (2016) and Tough Trucks (2018). Harding's acting credits date back to the late 1990s and span numerous television series, short films, and features. He gained early recognition for his recurring role as Jeff Northcutt in the MTV series Spyder Games (2001), appearing in 29 episodes. His television guest and co-starring roles include Matt Haley in Hawaii Five-0 (2014, 1 episode), a part in American Horror Story (2017, 1 episode), and appearances in series such as Midnight Tales (2019) and Before I Got Famous (2017). Film and short credits feature roles in projects such as The Blind Game (2020) as Clown, Back to Zero (2018) as Charlie, and more recent works including Just Breathe (2025) as Baseball Game Announcer and Till Death Do Us Part (completed) as Marcus. In producing and writing, Harding executive produced The Visioneers with Zay Harding (2025), contributing to 11 episodes as executive producer while also hosting 19 episodes as Self - Host. He previously co-produced and wrote for Wine Uncorked (2021). Additional contributions include camera assistant work (reconstructions) on Secrets of a Murder Detective with Steve Keogh (2024, 18 episodes).

Current status and recent activity

Zay Harding is currently active as the host and executive producer of the CBS series The Visioneers with Zay Harding, an educational program highlighting environmental innovators, scientists, and eco-heroes developing solutions to planetary challenges. The series, produced by Hearst Media Production Group in partnership with the VoLo Foundation, originally aired its first season between April and August 2025 before being renewed for Season 2 in September 2025. Season 2 premiered on October 4, 2025, and airs weekend mornings on CBS as part of the "CBS WKND" block, featuring global stories of sustainable innovations across U.S. states and international locations including Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, and the U.K. Episodes have continued airing into late 2025, with content as recent as November 22, 2025, covering topics such as wind energy, waste recycling, battery innovations, and floating eco parks. After credits primarily in the early 2020s, including co-producing and writing on Wine Uncorked (2021), Harding's 2025 projects mark his most recent verified professional engagements. He also appears in a supporting role as a baseball game announcer in the 2025 film Just Breathe. No further activities beyond these 2025 credits have been verified in available sources.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Zay Harding is married and resides in Los Angeles. Recent sources indicate he is married to Thais Lopez Vogel. He is a father to a daughter.

Interests and non-professional activities

Zay Harding is an avid outdoorsman who grew up on the beaches of Hawaii, where he developed a deep appreciation for nature and adventure. As a child, he was actively involved in the Boy Scouts, reaching the highest level in scouting and gaining valuable survival skills. Harding enjoys a range of physical and outdoor pursuits, including hiking, swimming, surfing, biking, and playing golf, as well as participating in group sports and cultural activities. Despite having a fear of heights, he embraces trying new experiences and finds time in true wilderness to be tranquil and refreshing, offering balance amid the stresses of life in Los Angeles. He has expressed a strong preference for learning through direct experience rather than theoretical study and naturally entertains those around him, even in challenging or mundane situations, by prioritizing fun and humor.

Public presence

Media mentions and profiles

Zay Harding has been profiled in connection with his long-running role as a host on adventure travel programming. The official Pilot Guides website features a dedicated host biography that describes him as an outgoing and daring personality who thrives on challenging journeys despite a personal fear of heights, emphasizing his Hawaiian upbringing and passion for outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, and cultural immersion. The profile recounts specific demanding experiences from his Globe Trekker episodes, including hiking Mexico’s Copper Canyon, living with remote tribes in West Papua, and participating in traditional activities like wrestling in Cameroon. More recent media attention has centered on his work as host and executive producer of the CBS eco-adventure series The Visioneers with Zay Harding. In an interview with Digital Journal, Harding described hosting the show on America’s top network as “an absolute dream come true,” praising the audience response, production team, and collaborators while noting its win of the Environmental Media Association Award for Outstanding Reality Series. He expressed enthusiasm for Season 2 filming locations including Jamaica, Kenya, and Switzerland, and shared how the series has deepened his environmental awareness and love of learning. Harding also reflected on the digital age as “both scary and thrilling” due to the unprecedented accessibility of information and entertainment, highlighting the multi-platform reach of his current work.

Online presence

Zay Harding maintains an active online presence primarily through social media accounts on major platforms. His X account under the handle @ZayHarding1 is officially referenced on the Pilot Guides website, the production company behind Globe Trekker, where it is listed as a way to keep in touch with him as a host. The profile bio describes him as an American film and TV actor best known for hosting the award-winning travel documentary series Globe Trekker. Harding also operates an Instagram account at @zayharding1, with a bio identifying him as a Hawaiian-born, L.A.- and U.K.-based world traveler, TV presenter, actor, writer, producer, artist, husband, father, and children's book illustrator. The account features content related to his professional projects, including updates on his series The Visioneers with Zay Harding. He has a Facebook profile under the name Zay Harding, which includes details about his role as presenter for The Visioneers with Zay Harding, his education at Southern Methodist University and Punahou School, and his residence in Los Angeles, California. No personal official website or verified presence on other major platforms such as TikTok or LinkedIn appears to be associated with him based on available sources. Professional details are accessible via industry sites like IMDb, though these are not personal social profiles.

Legacy and recognition

Zay Harding is best known for his contributions as a host on the long-running adventure travel series Globe Trekker (produced by Pilot Productions approximately 2000–2016), where he presented episodes exploring diverse cultures and challenging destinations worldwide. The series reportedly won more than 50 international awards according to the production company. Despite the program's success and acclaim, no individual awards, nominations, or formal industry recognitions have been documented for Harding personally in major databases such as IMDb. His more recent hosting and executive producing role on the CBS educational series The Visioneers with Zay Harding, which highlights environmental innovators and sustainability efforts for teen audiences, includes the show's receipt of the Environmental Media Association Award for Outstanding Reality Series. This continues his involvement in informative television. Documented recognition for Zay Harding remains primarily tied to his association with these programs.

Areas of limited information

Publicly available information on Zay Harding remains limited, with most sources providing only basic metadata. The only confirmed details from IMDb are his birth year of 1974 and his profession as an actor. No detailed biography, including early life, education, or family background, appears in reputable industry publications or primary sources beyond self-reported social media profiles. There is also an absence of comprehensive career highlights beyond listings on IMDb and official program sites, leaving some aspects sparsely covered. These gaps emphasize the importance of relying solely on confirmed data to avoid misinformation.
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