10 Biggest Nickelodeon Stars of 2000s, and Where They Are Now

There is something very nostalgic about looking back at the shows we grew up with, but the people we looked up to have changed. Some have continued to build their careers and now hold various awards, and others couldn't handle the stress of the industry and have retired.

If you want to see what your favorite Nickelodeon stars are up to now, check out this list of the 10 most popular names from the 2000s shows below.

Miranda Cosgrove

Best known for her recurring roles on two Nickelodeon TV shows of the 2000s, Drake & Josh and iCarly, Miranda Cosgrove has gone on to build a very successful career as both a singer and an actress.

You may also recognize her as the voice of Margo from the animated franchise Despicable Me. Most recently, the actress starred opposite Brooke Shields in the Netflix romcom Mother of the Bride.

Amanda Bynes

As is the case with many child actors, the star of All That and Amanda's Show grew up with severe mental health issues, fueled by substance abuse. Fortunately, she was able to get the help she needed, retired from acting, and now has a new career as a nail technician. Her last screen appearance was in the 2010 comedy Easy A.

Ariana Grande

There is no need to introduce the pop star Ariana Grande twice. The actress began her career back in 2009, when she was cast in Victorious, and since managed to build a brand around her name.

Adding up to numerous musical nominations and awards, are acting credentials, which are going to be supported by an upcoming big-screen adaptation of the iconic musical Wicked, where Grande portrays Glinda.

Victoria Justice

Before starring in Victorious, Victoria Justice was already involved in acting on Nickelodeon's Zoey 101. Just like Cosgrove and Grande, Justice has made strides in both singing and acting, but decided to take a 7-year hiatus from releasing new music in 2013. Since then, Justice has come out with plenty of new songs and plans for her debut studio album.

Drake Bell

After wrapping Drake & Josh and then starring in a few more Nickelodeon and Disney projects, Drake released solo music and worked as a voice actor in several projects, including the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man.

In 2020 and 2021, the actor was accused of verbal and physical abuse, as well as an inappropriate relationship with a minor. He pleaded no contest to the second charge and was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community service.

Jennette McCurdy

McCurdy's breakout role as Sam Puckett on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly, opposite Miranda Corsgrove, earned her four Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. But now she's best known for her memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died, in which she reveals the ugly truth about being a child actor and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother.

Josh Peck

Josh Peck, who recently landed a role in Christopher Nolan 's award-winning film Oppenheimer, has managed to overcome a number of challenges to end up as happy and healthy as he is today. The actor has previously opened up about his struggles with weight and overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer is one of the rare cases of a child actress who was already popular before she set foot on Nickelodeon. Perhaps that is why she was already being paid $200,000 per episode for filming her sitcom True Jackson, VP, making her one of the top 5 highest paid child actors.

Since the actress has had just as big a career, starring in TV shows like Scream Queens, as well as movies, the latest being This Is Me... Now: A Love Story.

Elizabeth Gillies

Elizabeth's Nickelodeon career began on Victorios, but before that she starred on Broadway alongside her co-star, Ariana Grande. Although her career hasn't taken off as quickly as Grande's, Gillies is doing what she loves most and continues to both act and sing. She's currently producing and starring in the upcoming drama film Spread.

Nathan Kress

The actor has done a number of projects on Nickelodeon, appearing in Drake & Josh, iCarly and Sam & Cat. Though he has enjoyed appearing on the big screen, Kress has also found some joy in directing for television, and he has tried his hand at it on such series as Henry Danger, Game Shakers and the iCarly reboot.