Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy is a writer, director and former actress best known for playing Sam Puckett on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam & Cat. McCurdy was born in Long Beach, California, she was raised in nearby Garden Grove and was homeschooled alongside her three older brothers. McCurdy began acting as a child, landing early appearances on shows including Zoey 101 and Malcolm in the Middle.

McCurdy’s breakthrough came in 2007 when she was cast as Sam Puckett on iCarly opposite Miranda Cosgrove. The hit Nickelodeon series ran until 2012 and led to the 2013 spinoff Sam & Cat, in which she starred alongside Ariana Grande. She later made appearances in projects including What’s Next for Sarah?, Pet (2016) and Between.

The actress later pursued music, releasing her self-titled debut album in 2012. She retired from acting in 2018 to focus on writing and directing.

Following her acting career, McCurdy found new success as an author. Her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, chronicling her experiences as a child star and her relationship with her late mother. She has since continued her career as a writer and filmmaker, including developing a television adaptation of the memoir.

McCurdy has kept her dating life largely private and is not publicly dating anyone.