Background:

American actor Nathan Kress is best known for playing Freddie Benson on the Nickelodeon television series “iCarly” (2007-2012), from which he has received several award nominations. He previously had a recurring role on the comedy sketch “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2005-2006).     

Kress is a fan of the Lord of the Rings films. He enjoys playing tennis with father and brothers. His other interests include football, air-soft, video games, and photography. Kress is a devout evangelical Christian. He wears a purity ring from his family as a symbol of his vow to stay abstinent until marriage.

Kress has been involved in several charitable and environmental causes including The Big Green Help,  The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The Starlight Children's Foundation. In the summer of 2003,  he and his family visited Lithuania with the Christian missionary organization, YWAM (Youth With A Mission), in which he has given money to help people build houses for the poor.


Child Performer

Childhood and Family:

Nathan Karl Kress was born on November 18, 1992, in Glendale, California. His mother's name is Rita. He has two older brothers, Andrew (born October 23, 1987) and Kevin (born May 30, 1990).

“Since I was very young, probably two or three, I had really good memorization skills. I would memorize stuff from TV and perform it for my family. I was the little performer for most of my early life. So eventually my mom caught onto that and thought I might want to get into acting. An opportunity came around for my mom to showcase me for an agent and we got picked up and started auditioning.” Nathan Kress

Nathan launched his professional career at the age of 3, and then spent the over next three years working as a model for various print advertisements and performing in a number of commercials and voice-over roles. When he was six, Nathan made the decision to withdraw from showbiz and to begin a 'normal' life. He did not resume his career until he was eleven years old. Nathan completed his senior year of high school in February 2011.   


Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Career:

In addition to appearances in print ads and commercials, young Nathan Kress voiced a dual character of Easy and Tough Pup in the animated film “Babe: Pig in the City” (1998) before leaving showbiz to focus on his education. At age eleven, he landed the lead role of The Emperor” in a school production of “The Emperor's New Clothes,” which soon aroused his interest in performing. After receiving permission from his parents to continue his education through home schooling, Kress attended a summer acting boot camp and then was ready to audition once again.

In 2005, Kress had his first live television appearance since revisiting acting on several episodes of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC, 2003-?), a late night talk show created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. He played various characters, including his favorite, as a young Simon Cowell of “American Idol.” 2005 also saw Kress appear in an episode of “House MD” called “Spin” and in the short film “pickled” as well as do a voice over for the animated film “Chicken Little.” He went on to make guest appearances in “Shuriken School” (2006, as the voice of Eizan), “Standoff” (2006, as young Matt), “Without a Trace” (2007, as young Barry), “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” (2007, Jamie), “Drake & Josh” (2007, as Toplin) and “Notes from the Underbelly” (2007, as young Andrew). He also appeared in the short films “Magnus, Inc.” and “Bag” (both 2007).

Kress, however, did not enjoy a big break until he was cast in the regular role of Freddie Benson, one of Carly's good friend and neighbor, on the teen sitcom “iCarly,” which premiered on the Nickelodeon Network on September 8, 2007. The role has brought him five Young Artist nominations, including for Best Performance in a TV Series - Supporting Young Actor, Outstanding Young Performers in a TV Series and Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actor, a Blimp Award nomination for Favorite TV Sidekick at the 2012 USA Kids' Choice Awards and a Blimp Award  nomination for The Laugh Out Loud Award at the 2010 Australian Kids' Choice Awards.

In 2008, Kress reprised his Freddie Benson on the TV film “iCarly: iGo to Japan.” The same year, he also starred as Roland in the made for television film “Gym Teacher: The Movie” (Nickelodeon, 2008), opposite Christopher Meloni and Chelah Horsdal. From 2010 to 2011, Kress had guest spots in TV series like “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “True Jackson, VP,” “The Penguins of Madagascar” (as the voice of Ronald) and “Victorious.” He portrayed Philip in the TV film “Game of Your Life” (2011).

In 2013, Kress will play a role in a Steve Quale thriller film. The film will also star Richard Armitage, Jeremy Sumpter and Sarah Wayne Callies.


Awards:

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