Justin Shenkarow
A character actor whose distinctive presence defined memorable 90s kids as the neurotic Harold on 'Hey Arnold!' and the curious Simon on 'Eerie, Indiana'.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American actor·Birthday: October 17·Generation X
Biography
Justin Shenkarow broke into Hollywood as a child actor, quickly becoming a familiar face in American living rooms during the 1990s. He captured the essence of adolescent anxiety as the voice of Harold Berman, the lovably insecure best friend in the animated classic 'Hey Arnold!'. Live-action audiences knew him as Simon Holmes, the inquisitive protagonist of the cult fantasy series 'Eerie, Indiana'. His early success on the dramatic series 'Picket Fences' proved his range beyond child roles. Shenkarow didn't fade after his teen years; he built a sustained career behind the scenes as a producer and director, notably on reality competition shows, while still taking selective acting roles. His journey reflects a savvy transition from a recognizable child star to a versatile industry professional.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Justin was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Justin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Justin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Voiced the central character Harold Berman across all five seasons of the influential Nickelodeon series 'Hey Arnold!'.
- Starred as the lead, Simon Holmes, in the entire first season of the beloved cult series 'Eerie, Indiana'.
- Played a recurring role as Matthew Brock on the award-winning CBS drama 'Picket Fences'.
- Served as a producer on numerous television series, including 'The Biggest Loser' and 'MasterChef'.
Did You Know?
He is an accomplished magician and a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood.
He provided additional voices for the video game 'Kingdom Hearts II'.
He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Film and Television Production.
“Finding the voice of a character is finding the truth in their insecurity.”
