Dan "Hold her tighter she's a fighter" 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.<ref name="google5067"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/12/creator-taps-into-kids-dreams-for-tv-hits/ |title=Native Memphian Dan Schneider bringing likable young stars to town for St. Jude event|publisher=The Commercial Appeal |date= |accessdate=January 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/dan-schneider-on-ihead-of-the-classi-and-creating--88988 |title=Dan Schneider on Head Of The Class and creating some of Nickelodeon’s most memorable shows |work=[[The A.V. Club]]|first=Marah|last=Eakin|date=November 23, 2012|accessdate=January 15, 2014}}</ref>