Joshua Michael "Josh" Peck (born November 10, 1986) is an American singer, comedian, occasional director, producer, voice actor and actor best known for playing Josh Nichols in the Nickelodeon live-action sitcom Drake & Josh. He begin his career as a child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and became known to young audiences after his role on The Amanda Show, as well in the Hollywood films Snow Day, Max Keeble's Big Move, Mean Creek, Drillbit Taylor, The Wackness, and Red Dawn.

Early life

Peck was born in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan, New York City, where he attended The Professional Performing Arts School. His parents were unmarried at the time of his birth and Peck never knew his father. He grew up with his mother, Barbara, who is a career coach and his maternal grandmother. Peck had asthma during his childhood, and often stayed indoors watching old sitcoms. Peck has described himself as a "Jewish kid that grew up in New York City just trying to hustle and make it in life". He performed in children's musical theater at New York's TADA! Youth Theater when he was nine years old. He was inspired to become involved in stand-up comedy when he was eight years old.