Nathan Kress

November 18, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Nathan Kress, born on November 18, 1992, is an American actor famous worldwide for his supporting role as Freddie Benson on the Nickelodeon series “iCarly,” which aired from 2007 to 2012. Kress reprised his role in the reboot of the comedy show, which aired in 2021 on Paramount+. He began his career as a child actor in the mid-1990s, starring in commercials and comedy sketches. Kress also guest starred in various roles in the T.V. shows “House M.D.” and “Without A Trace.” In recent years, he’s appeared in more serious roles on “CSI,” “Major Crimes,” and “Hawaii Five-0.”

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Nathan Kress

Birth date:

November 18, 1992

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 6"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$1.5 million

Background

Born and raised in Glendale, California, on November 18, 1992, Nathan Karl Kress started acting very young. He displayed a natural talent for the art, memorizing and re-enacting scenes from his favorite shows when he was three. Kress was home-schooled by his parents, Steven and Allison Kress. In the fifth grade, he landed a recurring role on “The Jimmy Kimmel Show,” where he showcased his incredible acting talent in several comedy skits. Soon afterward, he started guest appearances on shows like “Standoff,” “Notes From the Underbelly,” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.” But his role in the Nickelodeon series “Drake and Josh” prompted producer and screenwriter Dan Schneider to cast him as Freddie Benson in “iCarly.”

Kress played the role of Toplin, a nerdy child who had a crush on the younger sister of Drake and Josh’s little sister Megan Parker, who was played by future co-star Miranda Cosgrove. Schneider was so impressed by Kress’s performance and chemistry with Cosgrove that he introduced him to Nickelodeon network executives and called him in for an audition shortly after his 14th birthday. Ironically, the scene which would land Kress his role on “iCarly” got edited out of “Drake and Josh” to avoid confusion among viewers. The show was a massive success for Nickelodeon and ran for six seasons before its conclusion on November 23, 2012. Kress continued to star in other Nickelodeon productions over the years, including “Gym Teacher: The Movie” (2008) and “iCarly: iGo to Japan” (2008).

In 2021, “iCarly” got a reboot, with all the original members of the main cast reprising their roles. Kress returned to play a grown-up Freddie Benson, who lost his job, got a second divorce, and adopted a step-daughter named Millicent. The show aired on Paramount+ and has proven successful among fans of the original Nickelodeon series. Kress will continue playing the role of Freddie in the series, which got renewed for a second season in April 2022. Nathan married London Elise, an American actor and stunt performer, in November 2015. They have two daughters together – Rosie Carolyn Kress and Evie Elise Kress.

Career timeline

2005

A Primetime Gig

Kress lands a role on "The Jimmy Kimmel Show."

2006

His Breakout Role

His minor role in "Drake and Josh" unwittingly lands him a future deal with Nickelodeon.

2007

His Big Debut

Kress stars in the pilot episode of "iCarly" as Freddie Benson.

2012

The Series Finale

He makes his final appearance in the farewell episode of the Nickelodeon "iCarly" series.

2021

Return of Freddie

Kress reprises his role as Freddie Benson on the Paramount+ reboot of "iCarly."

Why We Love Nathan Kress

He’s still in touch with his inner child
Many child actors can't wait to outgrow their old roles, transition into more mature ones, or leave behind acting altogether. Kress isn't one of them. Growing up to become a husband and a father hasn't changed the fact that he's still that goofy kid we all loved on "iCarly."
He's a charitable person
Kress is always taking part in noble causes. He has participated in a charity poker tournament, NASCAR's Celeb Charity Race, Star for the Kids, and other fundraisers to help people.
He's a well of positivity
His positive energy is infectious. From his podcast "Radioactive Dads," where he discusses the challenges and joys of being a new father, to his sunny disposition, he’s a great, positive influence on others.

5 Surprising Facts

He sat in the director's chair
Besides acting, Kress directed almost a dozen episodes of "Henry Danger," an episode of "Game Shakers," and the "iCarly" reboot.
He's a voice actor
Kress voiced characters in "Pinky Malinky," "Shuriken School," "Chicken Little" (2005), "Babe: Pig in the City" (1998), and "Star Wars Rebels."
He still remembers his lines
In a 2019 YouTube Q&A session with "iCarly" fans, Kress revealed that he still remembers many of his iconic lines on the show, including the first words he said to Miranda Cosgrove's character Carly Shay.
The tears were real
In the series finale of the original "iCarly," Kress's tears at the end of the episode were genuine, as he felt emotional about finally wrapping up the show.
His celebrity crush
In an interview with “Seventeen,” Kress admitted having a crush on British actress Keira Knightley.