Dan Schneider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dan Schneider
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![]() Schneider in 2011
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Born |
Daniel James Schneider
January 14, 1966 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
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Occupation |
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Years active | 1984–present |
Organization | Schneider's Bakery |
Spouse(s) |
Lisa Lillien
(m. 2002) |
Daniel James Schneider (born January 14, 1966) is an American television producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is well-known for creating and producing many popular children's shows on Nickelodeon from 1994 to 2019. In recent years, there have been discussions and concerns about the work environment on some of his shows. This led to Nickelodeon ending their partnership with him in 2018.
Schneider started his career as an actor in the 1980s. He appeared in several teen comedy films. He also played Dennis Blunden on the TV show Head of the Class. In 1996, he co-founded his production company, Schneider's Bakery.
He later focused on creating shows for Nickelodeon. He worked as a writer and producer on shows like All That and Kenan & Kel. He then created The Amanda Show. He became famous for creating and producing many hit shows. These include Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious, Sam & Cat, Henry Danger, and Game Shakers. He also wrote the movie Good Burger.
In 2024, a TV series called Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV discussed concerns about the workplace environment on his shows. Schneider has denied some of these claims. He filed a lawsuit against the show's creators in May 2024.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Daniel James Schneider was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 14, 1966. When he was in high school, he enjoyed theater. He was also the senior class president. After high school, he worked repairing computers in Memphis. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles to start a career in entertainment.
Career Highlights
Acting Roles in the 1980s
In the 1980s, Schneider appeared in several movies. These included teen comedies like Making the Grade (1984) and Better Off Dead (1985). He also acted in Hot Resort (1985) and Happy Together (1989). In 1986, he joined the TV show Head of the Class as Dennis Blunden. This show ran for five seasons. In 1993, he starred in the series Home Free.
Schneider also co-hosted the 1988 Kids' Choice Awards. There, he met Albie Hecht, a Nickelodeon executive. Schneider has made small appearances in many of the TV shows he helped create. These include All That, Good Burger, Kenan & Kel, The Amanda Show, Zoey 101, iCarly, and Henry Danger. He also does voice-overs for some projects.
Creating Shows for Nickelodeon
In 1993, Albie Hecht hired Schneider to work on a new sketch-comedy show. This show was for kids and was called All That. Schneider wrote the first episode. He then worked as a producer and writer for the show.
After four seasons of All That, Schneider left to create The Amanda Show (1999–2002). This show starred Amanda Bynes. Schneider often appeared on The Amanda Show as a funny old man. Nickelodeon later asked him to return to All That in 2001. He agreed, and All That continued until 2005.
From 1996 to 1997, Schneider was a producer and writer for Kenan & Kel. This show starred Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. He also wrote the 1997 movie Good Burger. This film was based on a popular sketch from All That.
Schneider also co-created What I Like About You. This show premiered in 2002 on The WB. He also wrote and produced the comedy film Big Fat Liar (2002).
Schneider returned to Nickelodeon in 2004 with Drake & Josh. This show starred Drake Bell, Josh Peck, and Miranda Cosgrove. While working on Drake & Josh, Schneider also created Zoey 101. This show starred Jamie Lynn Spears. Schneider even made a cameo in the Zoey 101 series finale.
After Zoey 101 ended, Schneider started a new show for Victoria Justice. This show, Victorious, premiered in 2010. It starred Justice, Ariana Grande, and others. A spin-off show called Sam & Cat premiered in 2013. It combined characters from iCarly and Victorious.
After Sam & Cat was canceled, Schneider co-created Henry Danger in 2014. The next year, he created Game Shakers. This show reunited him with actor Kel Mitchell.
On March 26, 2018, Nickelodeon announced they would not continue their partnership with Schneider. His show Game Shakers was not renewed for another season. Henry Danger continued for a fifth season with a new showrunner.
Recent Projects
After a break of three years, Schneider announced new projects. In a June 2021 interview, he mentioned writing a new TV show. He said this show is for an adult audience, different from his past work.
Personal Life
Schneider met food blogger Lisa Lillien at Nickelodeon in the 1990s. They got married in 2002. They lived in Los Angeles. In 2021, Schneider shared that he had lost over 100 pounds since leaving Nickelodeon.
Film and Television Work
Films
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1984 | Making the Grade | Blimp | |
1985 | Better Off Dead | Ricky Smith | |
Hot Resort | Chuck | ||
1989 | Happy Together | Stan | |
Listen to Me | Nathan Gore | ||
The Big Picture | Jonathan Tristan-Bennet | ||
1997 | Good Burger | Mr. Bailey | Also screenwriter and co-producer |
2002 | Big Fat Liar | N/A | Screenwriter, story, and producer |
Television Acting
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1986–1991 | Head of the Class | Dennis Blunden | |
1993 | Home Free | Walter Peters | |
1994–2005 | All That | Various characters | Cameo appearances |
1994 | Tonya and Nancy: The Inside Story | Shawn Eckardt | |
1996 | Kenan & Kel | Angus | Episode: "Baggin' Saggin' Kel" |
2000–2001 | The Amanda Show | Mr. Oldman | 9 episodes |
2008 | Zoey 101 | Taxi driver | Episode: "Chasing Zoey" |
2008 | The Mighty B! | Factory Manager | Voice role |
2012 | iCarly | Various characters | 9 episodes; Cameo appearances |
2013–2014 | Sam & Cat | Tandy (red robot) | Voice, recurring role |
Creator and Producer Roles
Year | Title | Creator | Writer | Producer | Network | Notes |
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1994–2005 | All That | No | Yes | Yes | Nickelodeon | Writer (Seasons 1–4, 6–10), producer (Seasons 1–2) Executive producer (Seasons 6–10), guest star |
1996–2000 | Kenan & Kel | No | Yes | Yes | Writer (Seasons 1–2), executive producer (Seasons 1–2); consultant (Seasons 3–4), guest star |
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1998–1999 | Guys Like Us | Yes | No | Yes | UPN | |
1999–2002 | The Amanda Show | Yes | Yes | Yes | Nickelodeon | Also director (Seasons 2–3), recurring guest star |
2002–2006 | What I Like About You | Yes (Co-creator) | Yes | Yes | The WB | Executive producer (Seasons 1–2); executive consultant (Seasons 3–4) |
2004–2007 | Drake & Josh | Yes | Yes | Yes | Nickelodeon | |
2005–2008 | Zoey 101 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Guest star ("Chasing Zoey") | |
2007–2012 | iCarly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Guest star | |
2010–2013 | Victorious | Yes | Yes | Yes | Actor (voice) | |
2013–2014 | Sam & Cat | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
2014–2020 | Henry Danger | Yes (Co-creator) | Yes | Yes | Also director and guest star | |
2015–2019 | Game Shakers | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
2018 | The Adventures of Kid Danger | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
2020–2024 | Danger Force | Yes (Co-creator) | No | No | Co-creator (credit only) | |
2021–2023 | iCarly | Yes | No | No | Paramount+ | Creator (credit only) |
Awards and Recognitions
Year | Award | Category | Nominated production | Result | |
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1995 | CableACE Award | Children's Series – 7 and Older | All That | Nominated | |
2000 | Burbank International Children's Film Festival Award | Best Short Comedy | The Amanda Show | Won | |
2005 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Children's Program | Zoey 101 | Nominated | |
2009 | iCarly | Nominated | |||
2010 | BAFTA Children's Award | Best International | Nominated | ||
Best International | Victorious | Nominated | |||
Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Children's Program | iCarly | Nominated | ||
2011 | Nominated | ||||
Victorious | Nominated | ||||
2014 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Dan Schneider para niños