Josh Peck
{{Infobox actor
JOSH IS FAT
| name = Josh Peck
| image = Drake&joshgohollywood.jpg
| caption = Peck (right) with Drake Bell in Drake & Josh Go Hollywood (2006).
| birthname = Joshua Michael Peck
| birthdate = November 10, 1986
| location = New York City, New York
| notable role = The Amanda Show
(2000-02)
Snow Day
(2000)
Max Keeble's Big Move (2001)
Mean Creek
(2004)
Drake & Josh
(2004-present)
}}
Joshua Michael Peck (born November 10, 1986) is an American actor and comedian. He started out as a child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and became known to young audiences after roles on the The Amanda Show (2000-02) and in the films Snow Day (2000) and Disney's Max Keeble's Big Move (2001). More recently, he appeared in the dark drama Mean Creek, and as of 2004, stars in the successful sitcom Drake & Josh.
Biography
Early life
Josh was born in the Hell's Kitchen area of New York City, New York. His parents were unmarried at the time of his birth and Peck never knew his father. He grew up with his Jewish mother, Barbara, and maternal grandmother.[1] Peck had asthma during his childhood, and often stayed indoors watching old sitcoms. He was inspired and became involved in stand-up comedy when he was eight years old; Peck subsequently appeared in local children's theater, as well as performed stand-up comedy at the Caroline's Comedy Club for the Audrey Hepburn foundation. In 1999, he was offered a role on Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show and, at his mother's suggestion, accepted the part and moved to San Francisco to further pursue an acting career.
Career
Peck made his film debut in the 2000 film, Snow Day, and appeared regularly on The Amanda Show until the end of its run in 2002. He also starred opposite Alex D. Linz and Zena Grey in the theatrical film, Max Keeble's Big Move, which was released on October 5, 2001. During this time period, Peck appeared in several independent films, including Spun and 2004's Mean Creek, for which he received critical praise. He was cast as Josh Nichols, opposite Drake Bell's Drake Parker, in another Nickelodeon sitcom, Drake & Josh, which began airing in 2004 and gained Peck recognition among teenage audiences. In 2006, Bell and Peck starred in their own movie called Drake and Josh go Hollywood. He also had a close brother named Daniel John Peck, he inspired Josh to pursue his acting career, the Josh he is today.
More recently, Peck appeared in the independent film, Special, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2006, and voiced Eddie, one of two possum twins, in the animated sequel, Ice Age: The Meltdown, which was released on March 31, 2006. He also made an appearance in the New Line Cinema 2005 film Havoc as Emily's younger brother.
Personal life
Peck's favorite actors and inspirations are Richard Pryor, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Lewis, Bill Cosby, Ben Kingsley, and Morgan Freeman.[1] Peck, who is friends with his Drake & Josh co-star, Drake Bell, plays the piano and ice hockey in his spare time, and has a pet fish called Beefy.
In the later episodes of Drake & Josh he is much thinner than he used to be. According to a recent interview, Peck has stated that, "I did lose a lot of weight, over 100 pounds and that helps with the asthma. I made a conscious effort to lose weight because I knew I could be happier as well as being healthier. I started by going on a diet a year and a half ago and I got a personal trainer, but I definitely have a healthier lifestyle now. Also I feel that because I do so much children's television, I am a better role model. I don't really understand why I should be a role model but I know that children do look up to me, so it is my responsibility to motivate people and be inspiring. I hope that I can do that for kids. It doesn't matter what you look like really though, it is who you are that matters of course."[1]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Drillbit Taylor | Ronnie the Bully | filming |
| 2007 | Special | Joey | |
| 2006 | Drake & Josh Go Hollywood | Josh Nichols | television movie |
| 2006 | Ice Age: The Meltdown | Eddie | voice |
| 2004-2007 | Drake & Josh | Josh Nichols | television series |
| 2004 | Mean Creek | George Tooney | limited release |
| 2001 | Max Keeble's Big Move | Robe | |
| 2000 | The Amanda Show | Himself | |
| 2000 | Snow Day | Wayne Alworth |