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Nathan Kress

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Nathan Kress
Kress in April 2022
Born
Nathan Karl Kress

(1992-11-18) November 18, 1992 (age 32)
Glendale, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • television director
Years active1995–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​
Children3

Nathan Karl Kress (born November 18, 1992) is an American actor and television director. Kress began his career at the age of three, notably appearing in several television commercials and providing the voices of Easy and Tough Pup in the comedy-drama film Babe: Pig in the City (1998). He resumed acting seven years later on the talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2005), and thereafter had regular appearances on several Nickelodeon productions, including Toplin on the sitcom Drake & Josh (2007). Kress rose to prominence for portraying Freddie Benson on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly (2007–2012), which earned him five Young Artist Award nominations. He reprised his role in the revival series of the same name (2021–2023). He also subsequently voiced Wedge Antilles in the Disney XD animated series Star Wars Rebels (2016–2017).

Early life

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Kress was born on November 18, 1992, in Glendale, California.[1][2] He has two brothers, Andrew and Kevin, neither of whom are involved in show business.[3][4] He began his professional career at the age of four when he displayed a natural talent for memorizing and re-enacting the shows he saw on television, prompting his mother to take him to an open "cattle call" showcase where he was quickly signed with a talent agent.[3][4][5]

Career

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1992–2005: Modeling career and early roles

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Throughout the 1990s, Kress modeled for various print advertisements, as well as performing in numerous commercials and voice-over roles; the most notable of which was his dual role as the voices of "Easy" and "Tough Pup" in the 1998 feature film Babe: Pig in the City.[2][4][5][6][7] At the age of six, he decided to take a break from acting and return to regular school, where he led a relatively "normal" life for the next five years until deciding to return to acting professionally at the age of eleven.[4][5][6]

At the age of 11, Kress was cast in the lead role as "The Emperor" in a school production of The Emperor's New Clothes.[4] The role rekindled his interest in performing, and at the end of his fifth grade school year, he asked his parents if he could be home-schooled so he could return to acting.[4][6] A mutual friend of Kress from school put him in touch with an agent, and after attending a summer acting "boot camp", Kress was soon going on real professional auditions once again.[4][5][6]

In April 2005, Kress made his first live television appearance since returning to acting in a comedy sketch on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where he played a young Simon Cowell of American Idol, and would continue to appear in various comedy sketches on the show a total of 5 times over the next year.[2][8] Kress continued to land steady work over the next two years, appearing in guest-starring roles on dramatic series such as House, Standoff, and Without a Trace as well as the Disney Channel comedy series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.[2][3][8][9] Kress also appeared in several short films including Pickled, Magnus, Inc., and Bag, for which he was awarded a 168 Film Festival Jury Award for his portrayal of a small-fry drug dealer with a conscience.[4][8][10] In addition to live-action roles, Kress continued to work as a voice-actor, lending his voice to various characters in the animated feature film Chicken Little and on the Nickelodeon animated series Shuriken School.[8]

2006–2009: Acting breakthrough with Nickelodeon

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In February 2006, Kress landed a small role on the popular Nickelodeon family series Drake & Josh.[2][3][4][5][11] He played the role of Toplin, a "geeky" kid at a birthday party with a crush on Drake and Josh's younger sister Megan Parker (played by Miranda Cosgrove) in the episode "Battle of Panthatar".[3][5][8] Kress did not know it at the time, but this small role would lead to an opportunity that would catapult him to stardom.[3][4][5][12] While filming his scenes for Drake & Josh, television show creator and executive producer Dan Schneider took an interest in him and called him over to talk with him and to introduce him to some network executives.[2][4][5] At the time, Schneider was developing a new series for Nickelodeon, and was on the lookout for someone to play one of the lead roles in the untitled project, which would later become known as iCarly.[4][5][11]

The role of Toplin was similar to a character named Freddie that Schneider was looking to cast on iCarly.[3][4][5] Schneider had been so impressed with Kress' performance that he remembered him, and about 6 months after filming his small role on Drake & Josh, Kress was called in to audition for the role of "Freddie" shortly after his fourteenth birthday.[3][4][5] After several rounds of auditions, Kress was invited back for a screen test with Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy and a couple of days later he was notified that he had landed the role of "Freddie".[4][5][11] Although iCarly would not premiere until the fall of 2007, the decision was made to cut Kress' scenes with Miranda Cosgrove out of the Drake & Josh episode that had started it all, in order to avoid any potential confusion among the young Nickelodeon viewing audience.[3][5]

On September 8, 2007, iCarly debuted on Nickelodeon and quickly became a fan favorite.[13][14] On the show, Kress plays Fredward "Freddie" Benson, the technical producer for the fictional web-show iCarly, which stars his character's two best friends, Carly Shay (Cosgrove) and Samantha "Sam" Puckett (McCurdy).[4][5][15] His character has a crush on the main character Carly, and a feuding, bitter-sweet, love/hate relationship with Carly's best friend and web-show co-star, Sam.[4][5][12] The show became Nickelodeon's most-watched show aimed at tweens, and catapulted Kress to international fame among adolescents.[2][5][12][16][17] Kress' performance on the show has been characterized by one reviewer for Variety as "sweetly nerdy".[13]

In 2008, Kress starred in the Nickelodeon television movie Gym Teacher: The Movie.[1][4][8] In the movie, Kress played "Roland", a decidedly uncoordinated student who transfers to a new school and must be whipped into shape by his ambitious gym teacher, Dave Stewie (Christopher Meloni).[1][4] Later that same year, he starred as Freddie Benson in the television movie iCarly: iGo to Japan, the show's first TV movie.[11][16][18] Throughout 2009, Kress continued to play the role of Freddie on iCarly, but was unable to take on other projects due to the network's decision to film both seasons two and three of the show back-to-back without the usual hiatus between filming seasons, in order to make up for the time lost during the 2008 writers strike.[5][11][12][19]

2010–present: Directorial debut and current work

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Kress in 2011

In March 2010, Kress guest-starred in the CBS television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in season 10: episode 15 titled "Neverland".[2][8][9][20] Kress played Mason Ward, one of two best friends of a fourteen-year-old victim with traces of blood of an inmate under his fingernails.[20] Kress told Fanlala.com of his CSI role "It was a great opportunity to try my hand at something different. I had done scenes in dramas in the past, but other than a few semi-serious scenes on iCarly, it had been a long time since I've had the opportunity to do anything other than comedy."[20] Later that same year, Kress returned to comedic roles, guest-starring as Prince Gabriel on the Nickelodeon comedy series True Jackson, VP, and as the voice of Ronald on the Nickelodeon animated series The Penguins of Madagascar.[8]

In 2011, Kress continued to appear in the role of Freddie Benson on the fourth season of iCarly, and in January 2011, Miranda Cosgrove began telling news sources that she was looking forward to returning to Hollywood to begin filming the fifth season of the main character of the Nickelodeon show.[21][22][23] On January 27, 2011, Cosgrove told Cleveland Live News "We're getting ready to start the next season, right after the (Dancing Crazy) tour. I would be willing to do the show as long as people like it and as long as it works."[21] On January 29, 2011, Reuters also reported that Cosgrove was preparing to begin filming season 5,[22] and on February 3, 2011, Cosgrove told The Middletown Press, when speaking of the show and her co-stars, Kress and Jennette McCurdy: "I've known them since I was little. I can't wait to get back. I'm really comfortable doing [iCarly]. It's like my home away from home."[23] The show was later renewed for a sixth and final season, with the series finale "iGoodbye" airing on November 23, 2012.

Kress on ThrowBack with Nickelodeon in 2019

Kress would eventually reprise the role of Freddie Benson in one episode of the show's spin-off series Sam & Cat which aired in January 2014. Also in 2014, Kress co-starred in his first major film, Into the Storm, and had a major role in the web show Video Game High School as "The New Law". In 2015, he debuted as a director on Henry Danger.[24] In 2019, Kress started a podcast called RadioActive Dads with Brett Davern. In March 2021, it was announced that iCarly was being revived. The revival series premiered on Paramount+ on June 17, 2021, with Kress reprising his role as Freddie Benson.

Personal life

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While filming iCarly, Kress was tutored on the set with his co-stars Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy, and was home-schooled on the weekends or when on hiatus from filming the show.[4][5] As of February 2011, Kress hoped to attend UCLA, his father's alma mater.[3][12]

On May 29, 2015, Kress became engaged to his girlfriend, actress, stunt performer, and Into the Storm castmate London Elise Moore.[25] They married on November 15, 2015, in Los Angeles.[26] Their first child, a daughter, was born on December 21, 2017.[27] On October 21, 2020, Kress announced that he is expecting his second child with his wife.[28] On March 22, 2021, Kress announced the birth of his second daughter.[29] On June 27, 2023, Kress and his wife announced the birth of their third child, a son.[30][31]

Philanthropy

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Kress works with various charitable causes including The Big Green Help, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Starlight Children's Foundation.[2][32][33][34] In the summer of 2003, before returning to his acting career, Kress and his family traveled to Lithuania with the Christian missionary organization, YWAM (Youth With A Mission).[4]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1998 Babe: Pig in the City Tough Pup Voice role
2005 Pickled Younger brother Short film
Chicken Little Male Dog
2007 Magnus, Inc. Jacob Short film
Bag Albert
NimBlingDit Alan
2011 Snowflake, the White Gorilla Elvis Voice role; released in U.S. in 2013
2014 Into the Storm Trey
2016 Tell Me How I Die Den
2017 Alexander IRL EJ
Breaking Brooklyn Albee Davis
8 Bodies Cop Short film[35]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2005–2006 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Sketch characters 5 episodes
2005 House Scott Episode: "Spin"
2006–2007 Shuriken School Eizan Kaburagi 8 episodes
2007 Without a Trace Young Barry Episode: "Eating Away"
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Jamie Episode: "Back in the Game"
Drake & Josh Toplin Episode: "Battle of Panthatar"; uncredited
Notes from the Underbelly Young Andrew Episode: "Surprise"
2007–2012 iCarly Freddie Benson Main role; 94 episodes
2008 Gym Teacher: The Movie Roland Waffle Television film
2009-2011 BrainSurge Self 5 Episodes
2010 Glenn Martin, DDS Don Episode: "Exchange Student"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Mason Ward Episode: "Neverland"
True Jackson, VP Prince Gabriel Episode: "True Royal"
The Penguins of Madagascar Ronald Voice role; episode: "Field Tripped"
2011 Victorious Audience Member Episode: "Who Did It to Trina?"; uncredited cameo
Game of Your Life Phillip Reese Television film
2012 Figure It Out Himself Panelist; 2 episodes
2013 Mr. Young Pete 2 episodes
2014 Major Crimes Tyler Lang Episode: "Return to Sender Part 2"
Sam & Cat Freddie Benson Episode: "#TheKillerTunaJump: #Freddie #Jade #Robbie"
Growing Up Fisher Hunter 2 episodes
Hawaii Five-0 Jake Episode: "Ka Hana Malu"
Henry Danger Himself Episode: "Birthday Girl Down"
2016–2017 Star Wars Rebels Wedge Antilles Voice; 5 episodes
2017 Game Shakers Himself Episode: "Game Shippers"
2018 LA to Vegas Ryan Episode: "Pilot"
2019 Pinky Malinky JJ Jameson 16 episodes
2021–2023 iCarly Freddie Benson[36] Main role; also producer (season 3)

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 iCarly Freddie Benson Voice
2010 iCarly 2: iJoin the Click
2016 Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens Wedge Antilles

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes
2014 Video Game High School New Law/The Law Main role; season 3

Director

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Year Title Notes
2015–2019 Henry Danger TV series, 11 episodes
2016–2019 Game Shakers TV series, 6 episodes
2021–2023 iCarly TV series, 4 episodes

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Refs
2008 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actor iCarly Nominated [37]
2009 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor iCarly Nominated [38]
Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series (shared with ensemble) iCarly Nominated [38]
2010 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Supporting Young Actor iCarly Nominated [39]
Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series (shared with ensemble) iCarly Nominated [39]
Australian Kids' Choice Awards LOL Award (shared with ensemble) iCarly Won [40]
2012 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Sidekick iCarly Nominated [41]
2015 Streamy Awards Best Ensemble Cast (shared with ensemble) Video Game High School Won [42]
2022 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male TV Star (Family) iCarly Nominated [43]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Nathan Kress - Celebrity". TV Guide. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Starlight Children's Foundation - StarPower Ambassadors". Starlight.org. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "'iCarly': Nathan Kress talks iFreddy". Scholastic. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Nathan Kress on 'Gym Teacher: The Movie'". TC Magazine. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Nathan Kress Talks About the Success of iCarly". Media Blvd. Magazine. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d Dawn, Randee (October 26, 2009). "A Star Is Born". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Klady, Leonard (November 24, 1998). "Babe: Pig In The City - Film Reviews". Variety. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "IMDb - Nathan Kress". IMDb. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (February 7, 2010). "Nathan Kress". Variety.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "168 Festival Winners". 168 Hour Film Project: 2007. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Nathan Kress - Web Wonderful". Starry Constellation Magazine. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Nathan Kress Exclusive Interview". The Star Scoop. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  13. ^ a b Fries, Laura (June 12, 2008). "'iCarly' Saves TV". Variety. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  14. ^ "Nielson Top 20 Cable Ratings, September 3–9, 2007". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  15. ^ "iCarly". Nickelodeon Press. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Nathan Kress - i-Amazing". Starry Constellation Magazine. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  17. ^ "iCarly Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  18. ^ Yahr, Emily (November 8, 2008). "'iCarly' Goes to Japan". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  19. ^ "Nathan Kress Interview". Kidzworld. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  20. ^ a b c "Nathan Kress Exclusive 'CSI' Interview". Fanlala. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Miranda Cosgrove of 'iCarly' is headed to Cleveland". Cleveland Live News. January 27, 2011. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Graff, Gary (January 28, 2011). "Miranda Cosgrove Taps Rivers Cuomo for "High Maintenance" EP". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  23. ^ a b "iCarly's Miranda Cosgrove to perform in Connecticut". The Middletown Press. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  24. ^ Nededog, Jethro (November 17, 2014). "'iCarly' Star Nathan Kress to Make Directorial Debut on Nick's 'Henry Danger' (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Archived from the original on November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  25. ^ Heller, Corinne (May 29, 2015). "Nathan Kress From iCarly Is Engaged to London Elise Moore—Check Out Details About His Sweet Proposal!". E!. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  26. ^ Vulpo, Mike (November 15, 2015). "Nathan Kress Is Married! iCarly Star Says "I Do" to London Elise Moore in Front of Miranda Cosgrove and Friends". E!. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  27. ^ Kress, Nathan [@NathanKress] (December 22, 2017). "Rosie Carolyn Kress, born 12/21/17 at 3:59pm. 6 lbs, 6 ounces of utter joy. Mom and baby are doing amazing. I am an emotional wreck. In the good way!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 22, 2017 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Chung, Gabrielle (October 21, 2020). "iCarly's Nathan Kress and Wife London Expecting Second Child After 'Multiple Miscarriages'". People. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  29. ^ Kress, Nathan [@nathankress] (March 22, 2021). "Nathan Kress announces birth of second daughter" – via Instagram.
  30. ^ "Rapid-fire life update! 1. We're having a baby! 👶 2. It's a boy! 👦 3. He's here! 🐣 Lincoln William Kress popped by last week but it's been too much fun around here to have time to talk about it. Little Link is AWESOME, my wife is an absolute champ as always, our girls are the Big Sis dynamic duo, and Penny is veeeeeery interested in the mesmerizing smells that emanate from this weird blob we brought home. Onward to life as a family of 👋". instagram.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  31. ^ "'iCarly' Star Nathan Kress and Wife London Welcome Baby No. 3: 'It's Been Too Much Fun'". people.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  32. ^ "Nickelodeon Stars Go Green". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  33. ^ "News & Events". Make-A-Wish Foundation. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  34. ^ "Nathan Kress - Make-A-Wish Foundation's Day Of Fun". Life. Retrieved February 11, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  35. ^ "'iCarly' Stars Nathan Kress And Jennette McCurdy's New Film Gets A Quirky Trailer". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  36. ^ Ausiello, Michael (December 9, 2020). "iCarly Revival Ordered at Paramount+ Streaming Service; Original Stars Miranda Cosgrove, Jerry Trainor and Nathan Kress Returning". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  37. ^ "29th Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  38. ^ a b "30th Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  39. ^ a b "31st Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  40. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010 Winners List & Orange Carpet Video!". Take40. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013.
  41. ^ "Lista completa de ganadores Kids Choice Awards 2012". Solo Famoso (in Spanish). April 1, 2012. Archived from the original on June 8, 2012.
  42. ^ "5th Annual Winners & Nominees (Streamy Awards)". streamys.org. Archived from the original on August 16, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  43. ^ "Miranda Cosgrove and Rob Gronkowski to Co-Host "Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2022," Live on Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 P.M. (ET/PT)" (Press release). Nickelodeon. March 9, 2022. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
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