Kendall Schmidt
From teen actor to the heart of a hit Nickelodeon boy band, he helped soundtrack a generation's adolescence.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Musical artist·Birthday: November 2·Millennials
Biography
Kendall Schmidt's career is a story of seamless transition from supporting actor to frontman. He cut his teeth with small roles on major network shows like 'ER' and 'Gilmore Girls,' but his life changed when Nickelodeon cast him as Kendall Knight. The role was the centerpiece of 'Big Time Rush,' a show about a fictional band that became a very real phenomenon. Schmidt wasn't just acting; he was singing, dancing, and performing as part of the actual quartet. The band's success was meteoric, scoring chart hits, selling out tours, and defining the pop landscape for a young audience. After the show ended, Schmidt didn't fade away. He dove into music production and songwriting, forming the indie band Heffron Drive and steadily releasing his own work, proving his artistic identity extended far beyond the character that made him famous.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kendall was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kendall Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Kendall's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
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 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Kendall Knight and performed as a member of the real-life band Big Time Rush, which achieved platinum-selling success.
- Co-wrote and performed on the hit single 'Boyfriend' by Big Time Rush, which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Founded and fronts the independent pop-rock band Heffron Drive, releasing multiple albums and EPs.
- Built a dedicated fanbase through consistent music releases and touring long after the peak of his television fame.
Did You Know?
He is a trained guitarist and has cited classic rock bands like The Beatles as a major influence.
Schmidt made his television debut at age 11 on an episode of 'Frasier.'
He and his Big Time Rush bandmates purchased the master recordings of their music in 2020, gaining full control of their catalog.
He is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and has thrown the ceremonial first pitch at one of their games.
“We went from a TV show to actually selling out world tours.”
