Dan Schneider

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Twirligig (talk | contribs) at 23:46, 22 May 2016 (Reverted 1 edit by 73.72.110.126 (talk) to last revision by 66.44.40.169. (TW)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Dan Schneider (born January 14, 1966)[1][2] is an American actor, television and film writer, and producer. After appearing in mostly supporting roles in a number of 1980s and 1990s films and TV shows, Schneider devoted himself to behind-the-scenes work in production. He is the co-president of television production company Schneider's Bakery. He created The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious, Sam & Cat, Henry Danger, and Game Shakers.

Dan Schneider
Born (1966-01-14) January 14, 1966 (age 58)
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Alma materHarvard University
Occupation(s)Television producer, screenwriter, actor
Years active1984–present
Notable workAll That, Kenan & Kel, The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious, Sam & Cat, Henry Danger, Game Shakers
Board member ofSchneider's Bakery
SpouseLisa Lillien (m. 2002)
Websitedanschneider.com
danwarp.blogspot.com

Early life

Schneider was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, to parents Harry and Carol Schneider. He attended Harvard University for one semester. After returning to Memphis, he worked repairing computers. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, and eventually a screenwriting career.[2][3][4]

Career

Acting career

In the 1980s, Schneider co-starred in several films including Making the Grade and Better Off Dead. Schneider also co-starred in the films The Big Picture, Happy Together and Hot Resort (1985).

In 1986, Schneider played Dennis Blunden on the ABC television sitcom Head of the Class. The series ran for five seasons from 1986 to 1991. In 1993, Schneider starred in the series Home Free, and in 1994, he played Shawn Eckhardt in Tonya & Nancy: The Inside Story, one of two made-for-television films about the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan scandal.

Schneider is well known for making cameo appearances in TV series that he has helped to create/produce. He has made cameo appearances in All That (and its subsequent film Good Burger), The Amanda Show, Zoey 101, iCarly, and Henry Danger. Schneider also does voiceovers in many projects.

Writing and producing career (1993–present)

Television series

Schneider's career shifted directions in 1993 when he began writing and producing a string of highly successful television shows. The headline in a New York Times article about Schneider called him "the master of a television genre."[5] Another New York Times article (September 7, 2007) said that Schneider "has become the Norman Lear of children's television."[6]

Series Original run Description
Game Shakers[7] 2015–present (Nickelodeon) A live-action sitcom about two 12-year-old girls (Cree Cicchino as Babe and Madisyn Shipman as Kenzie) who start a multimillion-dollar gaming company with their friend (Thomas Kuc as Hudson) and take on rap superstar Double G (Played by Nickelodeon veteran Kel Mitchell) as a business partner. They also take on Double G's son (Benjamin Flores, Jr. as Triple G) as a game consultant. As part of a multi-platform experience, the games seen in the episodes will be released through apps and online. Schneider will also serve as Executive Producer.
Henry Danger 2014–present (Nickelodeon) Starring Jace Norman and Cooper Barnes as Henry Danger and Captain Man. A kid named Henry gets a part-time job as a sidekick of a superhero, Captain Man. The series premiered July 26, 2014.
Sam & Cat 2013–2014 (Nickelodeon) Starring Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande as their characters Sam Puckett and Cat Valentine from iCarly and Victorious, respectively. Sam and Cat become roommates and start a babysitting business to fund their adventures. This series is the first crossover spin-off of iCarly and Victorious. The show won Favorite TV Show in 2014 Kids' Choice Awards.[8] The series premiered on June 8, 2013.[9] Sam and Cat was officially cancelled on July 13, 2014, and ended on July 17, 2014.
Victorious 2010–2013 (Nickelodeon) Starring Victoria Justice as Tori Vega, Leon Thomas III as Andre Harris, Matt Bennett as Robbie Shapiro, Elizabeth Gillies as Jade West, Ariana Grande as Cat Valentine, Avan Jogia as Beck Oliver and Daniella Monet as Trina Vega, the series primarily centers on a teenage girl named Tori Vega, and the adventures and experiences she has with her friends at a performing arts school, Hollywood Arts. She gets a spot at the school after filling in for her older sister at a big showcase, and makes many friends who all have distinct personalities. Like Zoey 101 and iCarly, Victorious serves as an ensemble comedy while centering on a main character. Like Zoey 101, the series is presented in a letterbox format (unlike Zoey 101, it has a laugh track). The series premiered on March 27, 2010 after the 2010 Kids' Choice Awards. The series won Favorite TV Show at the 2012 Kids' Choice Awards, ending iCarly's winning streak. The series also won Favorite TV Show at the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards for the second year in a row. The final episode aired on February 2, 2013.[10]
iCarly 2007–2012 (Nickelodeon) Starring Miranda Cosgrove as Carly Shay, Jennette McCurdy as Sam Puckett, Nathan Kress as Freddie Benson, Jerry Trainor as Spencer Shay and Noah Munck as Gibby Gibson, iCarly debuted on September 8, 2007 and was an instant hit, and as of 2010, is the top-rated children's program on cable television, and also one of the most successful shows on cable. iCarly is about a group of friends: Carly, Sam and Freddie, who make a popular comedy web series called iCarly, and often get into strange and wacky situations. Based on early confidence, the network increased the first season order from 13 episodes to 22 episodes. iCarly was nominated for a Kids' Choice Award in its first season, competing against Hannah Montana and Drake & Josh (another series created by Dan Schneider, in which Cosgrove and Trainor previously starred in), and later won Kids' Choice Awards in 2009, 2010, and 2011 for Favorite TV Show. It was also nominated for an Emmy award in 2012. iCarly is the longest running live-action sitcom in Nickelodeon history, with more than 100 episodes. The series finale aired on November 23, 2012.[11]
Zoey 101 2005–2008 (Nickelodeon) Zoey 101 was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2005. The series, starring Jamie Lynn Spears (the younger sister of singer Britney Spears) as Zoey Brooks, Paul Butcher as Dustin Brooks, Sean Flynn as Chase Matthews, Kristin Herrera as Dana Cruz, Victoria Justice as Lola Martinez, Christopher Massey as Michael Barrett, Austin Butler as James Garrett, Alexa Nikolas as Nicole Bristow, Erin Sanders as Quinn Pensky and Matthew Underwood as Logan Reese, was the No. 2 television show in America with the young teen audience, second only to American Idol. Though Zoey was the primary focus of the series, the show was basically an ensemble comedy. It featured somewhat of a revolving door cast with only Spears and four other cast members appearing in all four seasons (Paul Butcher, Christopher Massey, Erin Sanders and Matthew Underwood). Zoey 101 was Schneider's first and to date only single-camera format program and the first to be presented in a letterbox format. Schneider also guest-starred in the Zoey 101 series finale "Chasing Zoey", playing a cab driver.
Drake & Josh 2004–2007 (Nickelodeon) Drake & Josh has won multiple Kids' Choice Awards, and is one of Nickelodeon's all-time most popular series. Three of the actors in the main cast were also in The Amanda Show: Drake Bell, Josh Peck, and Nancy Sullivan; Miranda Cosgrove and Jonathan Goldstein rounded out the main cast. The series centered on Drake Parker (Bell) and Josh Nichols (Peck), two polar opposite teenage boys, who become stepbrothers when Drake and Megan's mother (Sullivan) and Josh's father (Goldstein) get married. Drake's scheming and underachieving ways and Josh's awkwardness and haplessness end up giving way to many sticky situations that the two try to get out of.
What I Like About You 2002–2006 (The WB) What I Like About You starred Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth, formerly of Beverly Hills 90210, and centered on two sisters: Valerie Tyler (Garth), a PR consultant whose younger sister, Holly (Bynes), moves in with her after their father accepts a job in Japan. The show had a four-year successful run on the WB network, just before the WB and UPN merged into the "CW" network. The series, co-created by Schneider and former Friends writer/producer Wil Calhoun, is one of only two series Schneider created that was produced for broadcast network television. Schneider was an executive producer during the show's first two seasons.
The Amanda Show 1999–2002 (Nickelodeon) The Amanda Show was a sketch comedy series, starring Amanda Bynes, that earned multiple Kids' Choice Awards. Although the show ended production in 2002, it continued to air in reruns on Nickelodeon through 2007. Schneider himself often appeared on The Amanda Show as a frustrated old man who was frequently the victim of strange prank phone calls.
Guys Like Us 1998–1999 (UPN) Guys Like Us is a short-lived sitcom that ran on UPN for 13 episodes from 1998 to 1999. Starring Bumper Robinson, Maestro Harrell and Chris Hardwick, the series centered on Jared Harris (Robinson) and Sean Barker (Hardwick), two twenty-something bachelors who are faced with the task of taking care of Jared's precocious six-year-old brother Maestro (Harrell), who comes to live with them after Jared's father accepts a freelance position overseas. The premise of a younger sibling moving in with their older sibling after a parent gets a job overseas would later be applied to the premise of the Schneider-created series What I Like About You years later, as well as iCarly. The series is one of only two series Schneider created that was produced for broadcast network television.
Kenan & Kel 1996–2000 (Nickelodeon) Kenan & Kel was a show about two boys living in Chicago, Illinois, who also visited places throughout the show such as Detroit and Kansas City. Kenan (Kenan Thompson) was a high school student with a job at the grocery store, while Kel (Kel Mitchell) was his clumsy, orange soda-loving friend. Schneider guest-starred in an episode and was an executive producer during the first two seasons. He continued working as a consultant for the remainder of the series.
All That 1994–2005 (Nickelodeon) All That is a sketch comedy show, often referred to by the media as the "little brother" of Saturday Night Live. All That won multiple Cable Ace Awards and Kids' Choice Awards. It was one of the longest-running live action series ever on Nickelodeon. The show featured many different comedy sketches, including the popular "Good Burger" sketch (which spun off a 1997 film of the same name). It also featured musical appearances by artists such as Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Barenaked Ladies, Usher, Mandy Moore, Aaron Carter, 'N Sync, Avril Lavigne, among others. Schneider quit All That after the first four seasons to run The Amanda Show. The show's ratings soon declined, and it was cancelled in the 2000–2001 season. Nickelodeon then asked Schneider to come back and revamp All That in 2001. Schneider agreed, and All That returned to Nickelodeon in 2002. It ran for another four seasons until 2005, bringing All That to the end of its 10-season run.
Films

Schneider has also been involved in films. He wrote the film Good Burger, which starred Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell (and featured Schneider himself in a supporting role). The film was a successful moneymaker for Paramount Studios, and has begun to enjoy "cult film" status over recent years. Good Burger was spun off from a popular comedy sketch which Schneider produced on his Nickelodeon television show All That.

Schneider also wrote and co-produced the film Big Fat Liar which starred Frankie Muniz, Amanda Bynes, Paul Giamatti and Donald Faison. The film earned nearly $52,000,000 in box office.[citation needed]

As of 2007, Schneider has films in development at both Warner Bros. Studios and Nickelodeon Movies.

Controversy

Internet users have accused Schneider of being a pedophile, earning him the moniker 'Dan "put her in the van" Schneider'.[12][13]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
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. Baily
2003 Big Fat Liar Screenwriter and producer
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1986–91 Head of the Class Dennis Blunden
1993 Home Free Walter Peters
1994–99 All That Mr. Bailey
2000, 2001 The Amanda Show Mr. Oldman Various episodes
2008 Zoey 101 Taxi Driver "Chasing Zoey" (season 4: episodes 12-13)
2012 iCarly Meekalito, Voiceover, Random Dancer Cameo Appearance "iMeet the First Lady" (season 5: episode 10), "iToe Fat Cakes" (season 5: episode 11), and "iGoodbye" (season 7: episode 9)
2013–14 Sam & Cat Tandy Voice, Recurring role

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Production Result
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
Shared with Jan Korbelin & Bill O'Dowd
Zoey 101 Nominated
2009 Outstanding Children's Program
Shared with Robin Weiner, Bruce Rand Berman & Joe Catania
iCarly Nominated
2010 BAFTA Children's Award Best International
Shared with Joe Catania
Nominated
Best International
Shared with Sean Gill & Bruce Rand Berman
Victorious Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Children's Program
Bruce Rand Berman, Joe Catania & Robin Weiner
iCarly Nominated
2011 Outstanding Children's Program
Shared with George Doty IV, Robin Weiner, Bruce Rand Berman & Joe Catania
Nominated
Outstanding Children's Program
Bruce Rand Berman, Joe Catania & Robin Weiner
Victorious Nominated
2014 Kids' Choice Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Won

References

  1. ^ Template:Twitter status
  2. ^ a b "Meet Dan Schneider". Bangor Daily News. July 25, 1989. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  3. ^ "Native Memphian Dan Schneider bringing likable young stars to town for St. Jude event". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  4. ^ Eakin, Marah (November 23, 2012). "Dan Schneider on Head Of The Class and creating some of Nickelodeon's most memorable shows". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  5. ^ Dee, Jonathan (April 8, 2007). "Tween on the Screen". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  6. ^ Steinberg, Jacques (September 7, 2007). "I, Little Sister, Becomes 'iCarly'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  7. ^ "Nickelodeon Showcases Power of Its Ecosystem and Highlights New Content Slate and Upcoming Initiatives for 2015-2016 Season at Annual Upfront Presentation - Business Wire". Business Wire. February 25, 2015. Retrieved 2015. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ "Nickelodeon greenlights an 'iCarly' spinoff and other new shows". Los Angeles Times. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  9. ^ Schneider, Dan (November 30, 2012). "Sam & Cat is a GO!". Dan Schneider. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  10. ^ Big Time Rush (August 10, 2012). "M Exclusive: Victorious will NOT be returning for season four! – M Magazine". M Magazine. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  11. ^ "Exclusive: iCarly Is carrying on – Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. October 1, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  12. ^ "The Sad Truths Behind the L.A. Party Scene That Took Down Bryan Singer". Gawker. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  13. ^ Rowles, Dustin. "How The Rumors That Nickelodeon's Dan Schneider Sexual Abuses His Teen Stars Grew Into 'Internet Fact".