INTERVIEW: Nathan Kress

Nathan Kress

The show may be called 'iCarly', but every week, Nathan Kress shares the spotlight with this portrayal of 'adorkable' tech guru Freddy. Nathan is just as down to earth and funny in real life, and says the best thing about his job is getting to be a role model to kids everywhere. Read on to find out all the latest about this rising star!

Full Name: Nathan Karl Kress
Birthday: November 18th, 1992
Hometown: Glendale, California
Height: 5'6
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Book: 'Thr3e' by Ted Dekker
Favorite TV Show: '24'
Favorite Drink: Root Beer
Favorite Music Genre: Rock

When did you first want to start acting?
Nathan: Since I was very young, probably two or three, I had really good memorization skills. I would memorize stuff from TV and perform it for my family. I was the little performer for most of my early life. So eventually my mom caught onto that and thought I might want to get into acting. An opportunity came around for my mom to showcase me for an agent and we got picked up and started auditioning.

When you first began filming 'iCarly', did you think that it would become so popular?
Nathan: I know we all had our hopes, but I don't think we anticipated that it would get this big. When we did the first episode, we knew it was going to be pretty funny and we knew that some people were going to like it, but we didn't know this many people were going to like it.

What is the hardest thing about filming 'iCarly'?
Nathan: Trying not to laugh when doing a scene with Jerry Trainor (Carly's brother Spencer).

How are you similar to Freddy?
Nathan: We both enjoy technology, are focused when it comes to academics, and also loyal to our friends.

On 'iCarly', your character Freddy has a huge crush on Carly, who doesn't like him back. Have you ever gone through a similar experience?
Nathan: I don't think I'm the type of guy who, if I express interest in somebody, and then they didn't express interest back, I would keep going at it, I would probably take that as a message and then go 'ok, time to back off!' So I can't really say I have had that experience. But I'm sure that it will probably happen in some way, shape or form eventually down the road.

Do you regret that you have missed out on normal teenage experiences because of 'iCarly'?
Nathan: In a way, it's kind of trading one life for another; of course I do miss having classroom camaraderie and just the usual high school experiences, but in a way I've traded it for another really, really cool thing. I'm doing something that not too many other teenagers my age are doing, so it's kind of a trade off, and both of them have their ups and downs but this is the life that I chose to lead for now and I definitely think it was a worthwhile sacrifice.

What is a typical day like for you?
Nathan: I usually get up around 5:30 a.m. in order to do some form of exercise. Then we work 9 1/2 hours per day five days a week. Each day, I have about 3 or more hours of travel time to and from the set in which I'm usually doing schoolwork or memorizing my script. Monday through Wednesday, we rehearse and shoot on Thursday and Friday. We also do school on the set in between rehearsals and shooting.

Describe your dream girl.
Nathan: Character is very important to me. I also enjoy a great sense of humor. I am a traditional type of guy. I would like a feminine girl who enjoys a guy holding the door open for her and treating her like a lady.

Besides being an actor, what is your dream job?
Nathan: I do hope to be an adult actor. But if it doesn't work out, I've been thinking about doing something in the medical therapy field, chiropractics or something like that. I've always been into the idea of helping people medically, but I can't stand blood or surgery. That freaks me out. So this would be a bloodless way to help people. I really want to go to college. My PSATs came back and I did really well. My math was better than it was last year, so I'm happy about that. But I did the best in history and social science on that test.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Nathan: I do enjoy playing some sports, even though none of them are organized. I enjoy football most of all. I'm really into movies and music. I'm a really big 'Lord of the Rings' fan. I have all the extended editions. I play tennis with my brothers and my dad. But right now one of my favorite things to do is air softing. It's like paintball but instead of paint you use plastic pellets. It doesn't get all over your clothes or hurt like paintball. It's really fun.