Kevin Gerard Schmidt Bio
Kevin Gerard Schmidt (born August 16, 1988) is an American actor, producer and director known for his early work as Henry Baker in Cheaper by the Dozen and its sequel, and for portraying Noah Newman on The Young and the Restless. He also played Ryan in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and starred on Cartoon Network’s live-action series Unnatural History. Schmidt co-created, starred in, produced, and directed the cult web-series Poor Paul, and has continued to write, direct, and act while pursuing social-impact projects. He served as president of the Conscious Human Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing malnutrition worldwide. His career spans film, television, and digital media, reflecting a versatile approach to storytelling and advocacy.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Gerard Schmidt was born on August 16, 1988, in Andover, Kansas, United States. His brother is musician and actor Kendall Schmidt, who later gained fame as a member of the band Big Time Rush. Schmidt grew up in Kansas with his family and initially had no plans to work in the entertainment industry.
As a young student, Schmidt was primarily focused on athletics, particularly football, and showed little interest in acting. His career path changed when his two brothers, Kenneth and Kendall, found success as actors in Los Angeles, California. Their achievements inspired Schmidt to begin auditioning for roles at the age of ten.
Path to Acting
After being persuaded to try acting, Schmidt quickly began booking guest-starring roles on television. At just ten years old, he appeared on numerous prime-time television shows including NCIS, Bones, Without a Trace, CSI: NY, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Monk. These early roles provided him with valuable experience in the industry and helped him develop his craft as a young performer.
Schmidt’s transition from guest appearances to feature films came with supporting roles in major Hollywood productions. He co-starred with Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect and alongside Kristen Stewart in Catch That Kid. These opportunities established him as a promising young talent in the industry.
Kevin Gerard Schmidt Career
Early Career (2001–2008)
Schmidt began his professional acting career in 2001 and quickly gained recognition for his role as Henry Baker in the 2003 family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen. The film, starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, was a commercial success and introduced Schmidt to a wider audience. He reprised the role in the 2005 sequel, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, further solidifying his place in the franchise.
During this period, Schmidt continued to build his resume with diverse roles in both television and film. His ability to transition between different genres and formats demonstrated his versatility as an actor.
Breakthrough (2009–2014)
The year 2009 marked another milestone in Schmidt’s career when he played Ryan in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, the sequel to the successful animated film franchise. The movie was a box office hit and exposed Schmidt to an even larger international audience.
Schmidt then took on a leading role as the star of Cartoon Network’s first live-action scripted television series, Unnatural History. The show allowed him to showcase his dramatic range and established him as a capable lead actor in a different format from his previous film work.
Notable Works and Milestones
Following his success in front of the camera, Schmidt expanded his career to include writing, producing and directing. He co-created, starred in, produced and directed Poor Paul, a cult web-series that demonstrated his multifaceted talents in the entertainment industry. His work on this project represented a natural evolution from actor to creative force behind the camera.
Schmidt also leveraged his personal experience with fitness and health, having undergone his own transformation at age 17. He channeled this knowledge into The Alyson Stoner Project, a screenwriting and directorial debut that combined instruction, music and fitness. Teaming up with friend and Cheaper by the Dozen co-star Alyson Stoner, the pair created a musical and fitness hybrid designed to teach children about nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices.
Kevin Gerard Schmidt Family
Kevin Gerard Schmidt is the brother of Kendall Schmidt, a musician and actor who later became famous as a member of the pop band Big Time Rush. Schmidt also has another brother named Kenneth Schmidt who has also worked in the entertainment industry. The Schmidt siblings share a passion for performing arts, with multiple members of the family finding success in Hollywood.
Personal Life
Beyond his entertainment career, Schmidt has dedicated significant time to advocacy work focused on global health issues. He served as president of the Conscious Human Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing malnutrition worldwide. His commitment to social impact extends to his advocacy for sustainable farming methods, particularly aquaponics, as he hopes to contribute to ending malnutrition and obesity around the world.
Schmidt continues to work on new creative projects, including The Great Migration, an animated film he wrote. He is producing the project alongside Rob Minkoff, director of Disney’s The Lion King. The film features an impressive voice cast including his brother Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson. Schmidt remains active in writing, directing and acting while maintaining his commitment to humanitarian causes.