Jerry Trainor
Birth nameGerald William Trainor
Birth dateJanuary 21, 1977 (age 49)[1]
Birth placeSan Diego, California, U.S.[1]
EducationUniversity of California, Santa Barbara (B.F.A.)
OccupationActor · musician
Years active2000–present

Gerald William "Jerry" Trainor (born January 21, 1977)[1] is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as "Crazy" Steve in Drake & Josh and Spencer Shay in the teen sitcom iCarly (both on Nickelodeon) and its Paramount+ revival series of the same name, winning three Kids' Choice Awards for his performances. He also did voice work in T.U.F.F. Puppy as Dudley Puppy, for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination. Since 2004, Trainor has worked primarily on the Nickelodeon network. Outside of this, he has had recurring and guest roles on young adult–oriented shows on the Disney Channel and Netflix as well as in the more mature shows Crossing Jordan and 2 Broke Girls.

Early life and education

Gerald William Trainor was born on January 21, 1977 and raised in San Diego, California,[2][3] the son of Bill Trainor, a retired Navy fighter pilot and public defender, and Madelyn (née McNenly), a retired high school calculus teacher.[4] He has an older sister named Liz.[5] He is of Croatian, German and Irish descent.[6]

Trainor grew up in the San Diego community of Scripps Ranch and attended the University of San Diego High School.[7] He studied drama at the University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.[1][8] He studied improvisation at The Groundlings school in Los Angeles. Before becoming an actor, he worked at San Diego SeaWorld.[9]

Acting career

His first television role was in the MTV series Undressed as Eric. Some of his other television credits include Law & Order True Crime, Angel, and Malcolm in the Middle. His first recurring TV role was as Brian "the A.V. guy" on Crossing Jordan. He has had several small roles in films such as the science fiction drama Donnie Darko and the cheerleader comedy Bring It On Again. He appeared on the web series Hungry Girl.[10]

Trainor had a recurring role on Drake & Josh as "Crazy Steve", a movie theater worker, from 2004 to 2007. He starred in iCarly as Spencer Shay, the older brother and guardian of Miranda Cosgrove's title character from 2007 to 2012 (him and Cosgrove had both previously acted on Drake & Josh, as Cosgrove played the role of the title duo's little sister Megan). For iCarly, he won three Kids' Choice Awards. He completed the 2008 music-themed comedy Wreckless Epic, in which he stars. Trainor starred in the animated series T.U.F.F. Puppy as the voice of Dudley Puppy, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.

Trainor was involved in a World of Warcraft video series titled Project Lore, playing the Draenei shaman Goggins. In February 2009, he left the series and was replaced by Jeff Cannata. He also starred alongside iCarly co-star Jennette McCurdy in the Nickelodeon TV movie Best Player, where he played Quincy Johnson, a video-game enthusiast whose main competition in a video-gaming contest is McCurdy's character.

In 2013, Trainor starred in the short-lived series Wendell & Vinnie as Vinnie, the uncle and guardian of Buddy Handleson's character Wendell. He played Commander Michael Sullivan for both seasons of the Halo in-universe podcast Hunt the Truth. In 2017, Trainor voiced the recurring role of Commander Cone on Bunsen Is a Beast.

Since 2018, Trainor and Mike O'Gorman have starred in a comedy Web series called The Porch, which can be found on YouTube. In 2018, Trainor starred in the film Cover Versions written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Todd Berger. The film premiered at the 2018 Palm Springs Film Festival and was acquired for distribution by Sony Pictures. Parts of the film were shot on location during the KAABOO Del Mar music festival (in coastal northern San Diego County). Trainor's performance was heralded as being edgy and thought-provoking.

In March 2021, it was announced that iCarly was being revived. The series premiered on Paramount+ in June of that year, with Trainor reprising his role as Spencer Shay.[11]

Music career

In October 2015, Trainor formed the band Nice Enough People with guitarist-vocalist Mike O'Gorman, drummer Andrew Zuber, and guitarist Allison Scagliotti, who also happened to be a co-star of Trainor's in Drake & Josh as the character Mindy Crenshaw.[12] Trainor plays bass for the group.[12] The group released its first EP, Hanover Hideaway, on June 22, 2016.[13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001Donnie DarkoLanky Kid
EvolutionTommy
WaysideTommyDirect-to-video
2004Bring It On AgainSmug GuyDirect-to-video
2007Waking DreamsAndrewDirect-to-video
2009Factory 9Roland WatersDirect-to-video
Wreckless Epic: The Journey to SXSWKelly Kirkwood
2012Holiday RoadDougSegment: "October"
2013Pororo, The Racing AdventureWalter FeatherbottomVoice role
2017Cover VersionsTravis
2018Alex & Me"Nigel"/NickDirect-to-video

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000UndressedEric2 episodes
2001Malcolm in the MiddlePrivate EdwardsEpisode: "Evacuation"
2002My Wife and KidsStar Trek fanEpisode: "The Bowling Show"
AngelJaredEpisode: "Supersymmetry"
ERDariusEpisode: "One Can Only Hope"
2004–2005Crossing JordanBrian - A.V. GuyRecurring role
2004–2007Drake & Josh"Crazy" SteveRecurring role
2007–2012iCarlySpencer ShayMain cast; also director, 2 episodes
2008Merry Christmas, Drake & JoshCrazy SteveTV movie
2010The Penguins of MadagascarEddie (Cockroach)Voice role, episode: "Stop Bugging Me"
2010–2015T.U.F.F. PuppyDudley PuppyMain cast, voice role
2010, 2012VictoriousAudience member; Spencer ShayUncredited, episode "Jade Dumps Beck"; episode: "April Fools Blank"
2011Best PlayerQuincy "Q" JohnsonTV movie
iParty with VictoriousSpencer ShayTV movie
That Movie Show1 episode
2012Simian Undercover Detective SquadKelly the Elastic Man / Heptagan Scientist2 episodes
2013Wendell & VinnieVinnieTitle role
2014Sam & Cat"Crazy" Steve (voice only) / Himself2 episodes
Living the DreamCal LoganTV movie
20162 Broke GirlsLeninEpisode: "And the Partnership Hits The Fan"
Still the KingP.M.S. Leader3 episodes
Star vs. the Forces of EvilRoyVoice role; episode: "Goblin Dogs"
2017Bunsen Is a BeastCommander ConeVoice role; 3 episodes
Law & Order True CrimeWill CantonEpisode: "The Menendez Murders: Episode 3"
2018The Adventures of Kid DangerThe Wahoo Punch BroVoice role; episode: "The Wahoo Punch Bro"
Henry DangerJoeyEpisode: "Thumb War"
2019No Good NickToddRecurring role
2020Apocalypse GoalsNews Janitor1 episode
Bunk'dDaveEpisode: "My Fairy Lady"
2021–2022Tooned InHimselfCo-host (season 2)[14]
2021–2023iCarlySpencer ShayMain role; also producer
2022Snow DaySnowplow ManTV movie

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009iCarlySpencer ShayVoice role
2010iCarly: iDream in Toons
iCarly 2: iJoin the Click!
2014Cars: Fast as LightningTodd Marcus

Discography

  • Hanover Hideaway (2016)[15]

Soundtrack appearances

YearTitleSong
2022Snow Day"These Kids"

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRefs
2009Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Actor: ComedyiCarly[16][17]
2010Australian Kids' Choice AwardsBig Kid Award[18][19]
LOL Award (shared with ensemble)[18]
2011UK Kids' Choice AwardsNick UK's Funniest Person[20]
Meus Prêmios Nick BrazilFunniest Character[21][22]
2012Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite TV Sidekick[23]
2013Daytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Performer in an Animated ProgramT.U.F.F. Puppy[24]
2022Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Male TV Star (Family)iCarly[25]

References

  1. ^ "Jerry Train or Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards". TV Guide
  2. ^ Bell, Diane (2013-02-15). "San Diego native stars in new Nickelodeon series". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  3. ^ "Jerry Trainor of 'iCarly' stars in new sitcom". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  4. ^ "Leo McNenly Obituary (2006) - Mount Morris, MI". obits.mlive.com
  5. ^ "Tribute video for Eva M. (Petricevic) McNenly - Martin Funeral Cremation". martin2.funeraltechweb.com
  6. ^ Trainor, Jerry (April 17, 2013). "@SeddieMania I'm Irish, of course I want some of your baked potato! Duh! Get it in my stomach now!". No. 324698094568624128. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  7. ^ "San Diego native stars in new Nickelodeon series". San Diego Union-Tribune. February 16, 2013. Archived October 27, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  8. ^ "Jerry Trainor". sfsketchfest2015.sched.com. 2015. Archived June 26, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "San Diego native stars in new Nickelodeon series - the San Diego Union-Tribune". Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  10. ^ HungryGirlTV (December 15, 2008). "Fun With... The Hungry Girl Book". Archived December 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 7, 2011. – via YouTube
  11. ^ "iCarly's Miranda Cosgrove, Jerry Trainor and Nathan Kress to Reunite at the Kids' Choice Awards". PEOPLE.com. Archived March 7, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Grant, Stacey (April 12, 2016). "Crazy Steve And Mindy From Drake & Josh Started A Band With A Very Appropriate Name". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  13. ^ Nice Enough People (June 21, 2016). "It's here! Our debut EP "Hanover Hideaway" now on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify & Amazon etc. Here's the iTunes link". No. 745661251347308545. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  14. ^ "Exclusive: 'iCarly's Jerry Trainor Co-Hosts S2 of Nick Trivia". beta.animationmagazine.net. September 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "Hanover Hideaway by Nice Enough People". niceenoughpeople.bandcamp.com
  16. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2009 nominees". Los Angeles Times. June 15, 2009. Archived October 5, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  17. ^ "Announcing the Winners of the 2009 Teen Choice Awards!". PopSugar. August 9, 2009. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  18. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010 Winners List & Orange Carpet Video!". Take40. October 8, 2010. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  19. ^ "2010 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards Nominations List!". Take40. August 18, 2010. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  20. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2011 Winners!". Fun Kids. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  21. ^ "Nickelodeon anuncia finalistas do Meus Prêmios Nick 2011" [Nickelodeon announces 2011 Nick Awards finalists] (in Portuguese). ANMTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  22. ^ "Nickelodeon divulga os vencedores do Meus Prêmios Nick 2011" [Nickelodeon announces the winners of My Nick Awards 2011] (in Portuguese). ANMTV. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  23. ^ "Lista completa de ganadores Kids Choice Awards 2012" [Complete list of winners Kids Choice Awards 2012] (in Spanish). Solo Famosos. Archived October 12, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  24. ^ "Microsoft Word - day_1213_nominations_v02.doc". The Emmys. Archived October 12, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  25. ^ "Miranda Cosgrove and Rob Gronkowski to Co-Host "Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2022," Live on Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 P.M. (ET/PT)". Nickelodeon. March 9, 2022. Archived August 25, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 12, 2022. – via The Futon Critic