| Full Name: | Amanda Laura Bynes |
| Age: | 36 years old |
| Birthday: | April 3, 1986 |
| Born: | Thousand Oaks, California, United States |
| Net Worth: | $3 million |
| Social Media: | Instagram, Twitter |
Amanda Laura Bynes is an American actress, comedian, and fashion designer best known for starring in hit TV shows and movies on Nickelodeon and The WB in the 1990s and 2000s. Let‘s take a closer look at the life and career of this charming former child star turned fashionista!
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Bynes was born in Thousand Oaks, California and grew up in a middle class household. From an early age, she displayed a knack for making people laugh by reenacting TV commercials and performing. By age 7, she was taking comedy classes and soon landed an agent.
Her first gig was a Buncha Crunch candy commercial at age 10. She went on to star in popular spots for brands like Nestle, Dodge and JCPenney. At age 12, she scored her big break when she was cast on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That.
On All That from 1996 to 1999, Amanda became known for original characters like the young advice guru Ask Ashley. She also sang and danced in musical numbers. Her work earned her a Kids‘ Choice Award.
Rise to Fame on The Amanda Show
Given her rising popularity, Nickelodeon gave Bynes her own comedy series called The Amanda Show from 1999 to 2002. She often played dual roles, like the wise Judge Trudy and mischievous Penelope Taynt.
The Amanda Show incorporated sketch comedy, game shows, animations and music videos. Bynes also wrote some of the sketches. The offbeat variety show was a huge hit and further cemented Amanda as a breakout star.
Movie Star
In 2002, Bynes transitioned to feature films while still working on The Amanda Show. Some of her most acclaimed roles include:
- Big Fat Liar (2002) – Comedy film starring Bynes and Frankie Muniz as teens seeking revenge on a sleazy Hollywood producer. Scored her a Teen Choice Award.
- What a Girl Wants (2003) – Bynes played American teen Daphne visiting her estranged father (Colin Firth) in London. Grossed over $50 million.
- She‘s the Man (2006) – Modern remake of Twelfth Night with Bynes disguising herself as her brother at his boarding school. Beloved teen comedy.
- Hairspray (2007) – Starred as Tracy Turnblad in the hit musical film based on John Waters‘ 1988 movie. Sang on the acclaimed soundtrack.
- Easy A (2010) – One of Bynes‘ last roles. Played the judgmental Marianne opposite Emma Stone. Well-reviewed teen dramedy.
Sitcom Star on The WB
After leaving Nickelodeon in 2002, Bynes starred in the popular WB sitcom What I Like About You from 2002 to 2006. She played Holly, a teen who moves in with her sister (Jennie Garth) in New York City.
The light-hearted coming-of-age comedy ran for four seasons. Bynes‘ work earned her a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress. The series cemented her as a sitcom star.
Other Pursuits: Singing, Fashion, and Retirement
In addition to acting, Bynes pursued other creative interests like singing and fashion design:
- She recorded songs for several film soundtracks like Big Fat Liar and Robots.
- In 2008, she launched her own clothing line called Dear by Amanda Bynes, sold on the Home Shopping Network.
- She later enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, earning an associate‘s degree in merchandise product development.
In 2010, at just 24, Bynes announced her retirement from acting via Twitter to focus on fashion. She made headlines in 2012 and 2013 for multiple arrests related to substance abuse. However, Amanda appears to have moved past these troubles and continues her studies at FIDM.
Why Amanda Bynes Is Unforgettable
Though she left Hollywood at a young age, here are just a few of the reasons Amanda Bynes remains so beloved:
- Her effortless humor and hilarious impersonations and characters
- Her girl-next-door charm, expressive nature, and magnetic screen presence
- Her relatable, down-to-earth persona that made her shine in teen comedies
- Her smooth transition from wildly funny child star to endearing young adult roles
- Her trend-setting fashion statements and funky style that inspired millennials
- The undeniable nostalgic appeal of her shows and movies for 90s kids
- Her impressive variety of talents like singing, writing, and clothing design
5 Fun Amanda Bynes Facts
Beyond her well-known triumphs, here are 5 fun tidbits that fans may not know about Amanda Bynes:
- She voiced the character of Piper Pinwheeler on Nickelodeon‘s cartoon The Fairly OddParents from 2003-2005.
- She had her own figurine in Mattel‘s 2000 Celebrity Dolls collection.
- She was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair‘s July 2003 Hollywood issue alongside young stars like Lindsay Lohan.
- She ranked #5 on VH1‘s 100 Greatest Kid Stars list in 2012.
- She can play the drums and percussion instruments quite well.
Where Is Amanda Bynes Now in 2022?
So what‘s Amanda up to today? While she keeps a low profile, here are a few updates:
- She continues to study fashion and merchandising at FIDM, working towards a bachelor‘s degree.
- She is sober and living a quiet life focused on her education.
- She occasionally posts throwback pics and selfies on her Instagram page @rlamandabynes.
- In 2020, she announced her engagement via Instagram but later called it off.
- She stays connected to her fans through Twitter, often liking supportive tweets.
- In 2018, she gave a rare interview to discuss her sobriety.
Though she is largely out of the public eye, it seems Amanda Bynes is thriving and enjoying life on her own terms. Her fans continue to send their well wishes.
The Lasting Impact of Amanda Bynes
While short-lived, Amanda Bynes‘ career burned brightly in the late 90s and 2000s. Let‘s reflect on her lasting pop culture imprint:
- She helped redefine Nickelodeon with hit shows like All That and The Amanda Show, paving the way for future stars.
- Her comedic talents, expressiveness and timing influenced many young comic actresses that followed.
- She led classic teen films like She‘s the Man that remain beloved modern classics.
- She had an elegance and maturity that allowed her to gracefully transition into young adult roles.
- She juggled a busy acting career with passion projects like fashion design and singing, setting an inspiring example.
- Her unique, relatable appeal as both the girl-next-door and wildcard made her shine in comedies.
- She showed how child stars can successfully "grow up" in Hollywood without major scandal.
Though only in the spotlight for a decade, Amanda Bynes‘ singular charm lives on thanks to her hilarious and heartwarming performances.