Zach Braff Reveals He ‘Foster Failed’ and Adopted Rescue Pit Bull

Zach Braff attends the premiere of Disney's "Cheaper by The Dozen" in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 16, 2022. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

“Scrubs” star Zach Braff has added a new member to his family.

On Tuesday, Braff, 49, shared an Instagram video of himself with a pit bull he had been fostering for more than a month.

“We wanted to come and tell you that I officially foster failed, and Penny—as Chunk says to Sloth in ‘The Goonies’—you’re gonna live with me now,” the actor said in the video.

“Is there anything you want to say?” Braff asks as Penny licks his face.

In the caption, Braff expressed gratitude to Lisa Chiarelli, founder of the Los Angeles-based animal rescue foundation Frankie Lola and Friends, for bringing Penny into his life.

“Thank you so much to @lisachiarelli for asking me to foster this beautiful creature that was found walking the streets of the city,” he wrote.

“From there, she lived for 2 months in an outdoor concrete pen,” the actor continued.

“Lisa posted that she had to get her out of there, and I said I could help. But it was love at first sight.”

Braff’s celebrity peers flocked to the comment section to express their excitement about the news.

“Best failure of all time,” said actress Busy Philipps.

“Pitties are the best!” wrote actor Giacomo Gianniotti. “You will mark this as the best decision you ever made. Promise.”

“I love this so much for you both,” added “Charmed” star Alyssa Milano.

“I was hoping this would happen,” wrote actress Lauren Buglioli. “Congratulations to both of you.”

‘I Think You’ll Adopt Her’

After Penny’s adoption, Frankie Lola and Friends shared a celebratory post on Instagram, writing: “We love our foster fails.”

“Thanks @zachbraff for adopting beautiful Penny from Frankie Lola and Friends,” the nonprofit wrote.

“We appreciate you raising positive awareness for both the best breed ever and to ADOPT, not shop. Happy life, Penny girl. You deserve everything good in this world.”

Braff introduced his Instagram followers to Penny on Dec. 1, 2024.

“Fostering this baby hippopotamus,” he wrote alongside a video of the pup.

Some of Braff’s followers speculated about Penny’s future, with some predicting the actor would keep her.

“I think you'll adopt her,” one Instagram user shared.

Another fan wrote, “I hope you fail this foster… and just keep her. ”

“Foster fail for this cutie,” commented another user. “She is so yours.”

Braff’s “Scrubs” co-star Christa Miller shared a similar sentiment, writing: “Penny isn’t going anywhere.”

The Primetime Emmy Award-nominated actor garnered his breakout role in 2001, playing Dr. John Dorian on the ABC medical sitcom, which aired for nine seasons until 2010.

During that time, the filmmaker appeared in and directed the 2004 romantic comedy “Garden State,” starring actress Natalie Portman. He later acted in the 2006 films “The Last Kiss” and “The Ex,” as well as a variety of other television shows, including “Arrested Development” and “Alex, Inc.”

Braff directed the 2017 crime comedy “Going In Style,” and the 2023 film “A Good Person,” which starred Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman.

More recently, Braff appeared in the 2024 Apple TV+ series “Bad Monkey,” featuring Vince Vaughn, Scott Glenn, and Michelle Monaghan.