Jennette McCurdy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jennette McCurdy
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McCurdy at the 2012 Hall of Game Awards
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| Born | June 26, 1992 Long Beach, California, U.S.
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| Years active | 2000–present |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
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Jennette McCurdy (born June 26, 1992) is an American writer, filmmaker, and former actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Sam Puckett in the Nickelodeon TV show iCarly (2007–2012). This role was very popular and won her four Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
McCurdy played Sam Puckett again in the show Sam & Cat (2013–2014). She also appeared in other TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle and Zoey 101. Later, she starred in the science-fiction series Between from 2015 to 2016.
Besides acting, McCurdy also had a music career. She released her first song, "So Close," in 2009. She later released an album and two EPs (shorter albums).
In 2018, McCurdy decided to stop acting. She wanted to focus on writing and directing instead. In 2022, she released a memoir called I'm Glad My Mom .... The book became a bestseller. It tells the story of the challenges she faced as a child actor.
Contents
Early Life
Jennette McCurdy was born in Long Beach, California, and grew up in Garden Grove, California. She was raised in a family that belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but she left the religion as an adult.
Her mother, Debra McCurdy, homeschooled her and her three older brothers. McCurdy has described her childhood as difficult, partly because her mother was diagnosed with cancer when Jennette was very young. Her mother passed away in 2013. After her mother's death, McCurdy learned that the man who raised her was not her biological father.
Career
Acting Career
McCurdy began acting at age eight in 2000. She appeared in many TV shows, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Malcolm in the Middle, and Will & Grace. In 2005, she was nominated for a Young Artist Award for her role in the show Strong Medicine.
Her big break came in 2007 when she was cast as Sam Puckett in the Nickelodeon series iCarly. The show was a huge success and ran for five years. As Sam, she was the tough and funny best friend of Carly Shay. For her work on iCarly, she won several awards.
After iCarly ended, McCurdy starred with Ariana Grande in the spin-off series Sam & Cat. The show followed their characters as they became roommates and started a babysitting business. The show ended after one season. In her 2022 book, McCurdy wrote about her difficult experiences while working as a young actress.
In 2014, McCurdy created her own web series called What's Next for Sarah?. She said the show was loosely based on her own life. From 2015 to 2016, she starred in the Netflix series Between.
Quitting Acting
McCurdy eventually decided to quit acting. She said she felt that many of the roles she played as a child were not ones she was proud of. She wanted to create her own projects through writing and directing.
"I never got the chance to be cast in a project I was proud to be part of. Now I have a better chance of making things I'm proud of than getting cast in things I'm proud of."
In 2020, when the iCarly revival was announced, McCurdy chose not to return as Sam Puckett. She explained that she had moved on from acting and was focused on her new career path.
Music Career
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In 2008, McCurdy started working on her first album. Her first single, "So Close," came out in 2009. She also released a cover of the song "Homeless Heart" to raise money for a foundation that helps children with cancer.
She signed with Capitol Nashville, a country music record label. In 2010, she released her first EP, Not That Far Away. Her song "Generation Love" became popular on the country music charts. She released a full album in 2012 but later left the record label to focus on other projects.
Writing and Directing
McCurdy has always enjoyed writing. In 2011, she wrote articles for The Wall Street Journal about different topics, including her mother's battle with cancer.
In 2018, she began writing and directing her own short films. One of her first films was called Kenny. She has since made other short films that explore topics like family and personal struggles.
Her most famous written work is her 2022 memoir, I'm Glad My Mom .... The book was a number one bestseller on The New York Times Best Seller list. In it, she writes honestly about her difficult childhood, her acting career, and her relationship with her mother. The book was praised for its bravery and honesty. A television series based on the book, starring Jennifer Aniston, was announced in 2025.
Personal Life
McCurdy has been open about the challenges she has faced. She has spoken about having a very difficult and controlling relationship with her mother, who pushed her into acting at a young age. Her mother passed away from cancer in 2013.
In 2019, McCurdy shared that she had struggled with eating disorders for many years, starting when she was 11. She explained that the pressures of the entertainment industry and her life at home contributed to her health issues. After getting help, she has since recovered.
Filmography
McCurdy has appeared in many movies and television shows.
Notable Television Roles
- Mad TV (2000) - Her first TV role.
- Malcolm in the Middle (2003–2005) - Appeared in two different roles.
- Zoey 101 (2005) - Played Trisha Kirby in one episode.
- iCarly (2007–2012) - Starred as Sam Puckett.
- True Jackson, VP (2009–2010) - Played Pinky Turzo.
- Victorious (2012) - Guest-starred as Ponnie.
- Sam & Cat (2013–2014) - Starred as Sam Puckett.
- Between (2015–2016) - Starred as Wiley Day.
Books
- I'm Glad My Mom ... (2022)
Awards and Nominations
McCurdy has been nominated for many awards and has won several, especially for her role in iCarly.
- Young Artist Awards: Nominated five times for her acting.
- Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards: Won "Favorite TV Sidekick" four times for iCarly.
- Teen Choice Awards: Nominated for "Choice TV Sidekick" and "Choice Music: Female Country Artist".
- Australian Kids' Choice Awards: Won the "LOL Award" twice with the cast of iCarly.
See also
In Spanish: Jennette McCurdy para niños
