Dan Schneider (TV producer)

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Dan Schneider (born January 14, 1966) is an American actor, writer, and producer of movies and television. He is the president of his own production company called Schneider's Bakery, Inc.

Dan Schneider is sometimes credited as Daniel Schneider, Daniel J. Schneider, or Daniel James Schneider.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Acting career 3 Writing/Producing career 4 Personal life 5 Trivia

[edit] Early life

Schneider was born in Memphis, Tennessee to parents Harry and Carol Schneider. After high school, he briefly lived in Boston, Massachusetts where he studied acting, stand-up comedy, and attended various classes at Harvard University. Schneider soon returned to Memphis where he was discovered by a movie producer. The producer asked him to play a supporting role in a film. This ignited Schneider's acting career which would land him in Los Angeles by the age of 18.

[edit] Acting career

In the mid-1980s, Schneider co-starred in such movies such as Better Off Dead starring John Cusack, which has become a popular cult classic.

Schneider also co-starred in the movies The Big Picture starring Kevin Bacon and Happy Together starring Patrick Dempsey.

In 1986, Schneider became nationally well-known when he landed the role of Dennis Blunden on the ABC television sitcom Head of the Class. The hit series ran for 5 seasons from 1986 to 1991.

In 1992, Schneider starred in the series Home Free which starred Matthew Perry, later of Friends fame. Schneider played best friend to Perry's character.

[edit] Writing/Producing career

TELEVISION

Schneider's career shifted directions in 1993 when he began writing and producing a string of highly successful television shows.

Schneider was the creative force behind the following hit TV series:

• iCarly (Nickelodeon: 2007).

Starring Drake and josh's Miranda Cosgrove (details from state-of-daydream.net/miranda)

• Drake & Josh (Nickelodeon: 2004-2008). Drake & Josh has won multiple Kids Choice Awards, and is one of Nickelodeon's all-time most popular series. It starred three actors from The Amanda Show: Drake Bell, Josh Peck, and Nancy Sullivan. Drake & Josh went on to become even more popular than The Amanda Show.

• Zoey 101 (Nickelodeon: 2004-2008). Zoey 101 was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2005. The series star, Jamie Lynn Spears, is the younger sister of singer Britney Spears. Jamie Lynn won the Kids Choice Award for "Favorite Actress" in 2006, for her starring role in Zoey 101. In 2005, Zoey 101 was the #2 television show in America with the preteen audience, second only to American Idol.

• What I Like About You (WB: 2002-2006). What I Like About You starred Jenny Garth, formerly of Beverly Hills 90210. The show had a four-year successful run on the WB network, just before the WB and UPN merged into the "CW" network.

• The Amanda Show (Nickelodeon: 1999-2001). The Amanda Show won multiple Kids Choice Awards. Although the show ended production in 2001, it has 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.

• Kenan & Kel (Nickelodeon: 1996-1999). Kenan & Kel won Cable Ace Awards and multiple Kids Choice Awards. One of its main stars, Kenan Thompson, went on to become a regular performer on Saturday Night Live. Schneider cast his former Head of the Class co-star Dan Frischman as a series regular performer.

• All That (Nickelodeon: 1994-2004). All That is a sketch comedy show, often referred to by the media as the "little brother" of Saturday Night Live. All That won Cable Ace Awards and multiple Kids Choice Awards. It was the longest-running series ever on Nickelodeon. The show featured hundreds of comedy sketches. It also featured musical appearances by artists such as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Barenaked Ladies, Usher, Mandy Moore, 'N Sync, Avril Lavigne, etc. Schneider quit All That after 4 seasons. The show's ratings soon declined and it was canceled in 1999. Nickelodeon asked Schneider to come back and revamp All That in 2000. Schneider agreed and All That then returned to Nickelodeon. It ran another 4 successful seasons until Schneider left the show again in 2004, bringing All That to the end of its 10 season run.

MOVIES

Schneider has also been involved in movies. He wrote the movie Good Burger which starred Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. The film was a successful moneymaker for Paramount Studios. Good Burger has also begun to enjoy "cult film" status over recent years. Good Burger (the movie) 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 movie Big Fat Liar which starred Paul Giamatti and Frankie Muniz. The film was a hit for Universal Studios, earning nearly $50 million in domestic box office alone.

As of 2007, Schneider has movies in development at both Warner Bros. Studios and Nickelodeon's movie division.

[edit] Personal life

In 2002 Schneider married Lisa Lillien, the founder and president of Hungry Girl (Hungry-Girl.com), a free daily email that features dieting tips, recipes, food finds, and food news. Hungry Girl is read by 300,000 subscribers every day (as of 2007), and has a rapidly-growing subscriber base.

Schneider and his wife Lisa are avid collectors of Bakelite, vintage lunchboxes, vintage vending machines, and Jadite dishware.

[edit] Trivia

• Schneider was president of his high school senior class in Memphis, Tennessee.

• Schneider describes himself as "obsessed" with the Beatles, his favorite band of all time.

• Schneider is a big fan of Star Trek, but only the original series staring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

• Schneider considers himself a sushi connoisseur.

• Schneider has a pet rabbit named "Cookie" (a black-and-white colored lop) who has been featured in many of his television shows including All That, The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, and Zoey 101.

• As an actor, Schneider made guest star appearances on the television series "Fame" (1983) and HBO's "Arliss" (1999).

• All 10 television pilots Schneider has been involved with as an actor or writer/producer went on to become regular series. They are:

(1) Head of the Class (ABC/Warner Bros.) - 1986

(2) Home Free (ABC/Universal) - 1992

(3) All That (Nickelodeon) - 1994

(4) Kenan & Kel (Nickelodeon) - 1995

(5) Guys Like Us (Sony/UPN) - 1998

(6) The Amanda Show (Nickelodeon) - 1999

(7) What I Like About You (WB/Warner Bros.) - 2002

(8) Drake & Josh (Nickelodeon) - 2004

(9) Zoey 101 (Nickelodeon) - 2005