How a minor guest role on a Nickelodeon sitcom launched a global acting career
In short: Nathan Kress began his professional life as a child actor, but his path to stardom was anything but linear. After a brief hiatus from the industry, a small, geeky role on Drake & Josh caught the eye of a producer, ultimately landing him the iconic part of Freddie Benson on iCarly.
Born in 1992, Nathan Kress displayed an early aptitude for performance, memorizing television shows and re-enacting them for his family. By age four, he was signed with an agent and working in commercials. However, at six, he chose to step away from the spotlight to pursue a traditional education. This break lasted five years until a school production of The Emperor's New Clothes reignited his passion, leading him to request home-schooling to facilitate a return to professional auditions.
His career trajectory shifted in 2006 when he appeared as Toplin on Drake & Josh. Although the scene was later cut to avoid audience confusion, the show's creator, Dan Schneider, was impressed by Kress's performance. Six months later, Kress auditioned for a new project, iCarly. He secured the role of Freddie Benson, the technical producer of a fictional web-show, which became a massive hit for Nickelodeon. The show's success, particularly during its 2007 to 2012 run, established Kress as a recognizable figure among adolescents worldwide.
Beyond his signature role, Kress has navigated a diverse career in voice acting, film, and directing. He has voiced characters in Star Wars Rebels and Pinky Malinky, and appeared in the 2014 film Into the Storm. In 2015, he transitioned into directing with episodes of Henry Danger. Despite his busy schedule, Kress balanced his education with his work, receiving on-set tutoring alongside co-stars Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy. His commitment to the industry remains consistent, as evidenced by his return to the role of Freddie Benson for the iCarly revival series on Paramount+ between 2021 and 2023.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Nathan Kress
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