Date: April 18, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Main Lounge, Iowa Memorial Union

Sponsored by:
Late Night and Weekend Programs

No tickets required, first come, first seated.

Why Josh Peck is Captivating Audiences

Actor and social media sensation Josh Peck was born to entertain, hitting the stand-up comedy circuit at just eight years old. The former Nickelodeon teen star will be immediately recognizable to younger audiences (and their parents), delivering candid and funny insight into "making it" as a child star and beyond. Using his social media channels as an example, he also talks about the artistic and career freedom that comes with bypassing traditional media gatekeepers and connecting with audiences directly online.

His new book Happy People Are Annoying is a humorous and candid memoir reflecting on the stumbles and silver linings of his life—including early struggles with food, drugs, self- esteem, and self- sabotage — and traces a zigzagging path to redemption. Written with such impressive detail and aching honesty, Happy People are Annoying is a visceral memoir full of surprising life lessons for anyone seeking to accept their past and make peace with the complicated face in the mirror.

Josh Peck has established himself as one of Hollywood's rising talents, making the seamless transition from child actor to leading man.

Most recently, Josh Peck was seen in the indie drama Locating Silver Lake, starring alongside Finn Wittrock. Prior to that, Peck starred in Netflix’s indie comedy Take The 10 , opposite Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen and Tony Revolori. He also recently starred as John Stamos’ son in the Fox series Grandfathered as well as Dan Fogelman’s film Danny Collins with Al Pacino, Annette Bening and Jennifer Garner. In it, Peck plays Nicky, a valet at the Hilton who meets aging rock star Danny Collins (Pacino) after Danny receives a letter from the late John Lennon, which inspires him to change the course of his life.

In 2014, Peck starred in the Amazon pilot The Rebels opposite Natalie Zea. This comedy focuses on an LA- based NFL team whose owner suddenly dies, leaving his wife (Zea) and his assistant (Peck) in charge of the team. Peck also recently guest starred on The Big Bang Theory and can be seen as a recurring guest star on The Mindy Project.

In 2013, Peck starred in Screen Gems’s Battle of the Year: The Dream Team opposite Josh Holloway. With compelling characters and vibrant dance sequences, Battle of the Year is set in the international world of B-boying. With the help of their tough coach and his assistant (Peck), the team overcomes struggles to reach their dreams at the world dance battle in Paris.

In fall 2012 Peck starred alongside Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson in the action feature Red Dawn, which tells the story of 2 brothers (Peck and Hemsworth) who form an army called “The Wolverines” to save their town from an invasion of North Korean soldiers.

Earlier that year, he completed the indie thriller The Timber opposite James Ransone. The Timber is an apocalyptic Western-thriller written and directed by Anthony O’Brien. Peck and Ransone play brothers seeking their missing father in the harsh backdrop of the 1898 Yukon gold rush. The film is currently in post-production.

In 2008, Peck wowed critics in Jonathan Levine’s The Wackness opposite Sir Ben Kingsley and Olivia Thirlby. Winning the Audience Award at 2008 Sundance Film Festival, Peck played a young man coming of age in the summer of 1994. In 2004, Peck received critical acclaim and a Special Distinction Award with his co- stars at the Independent Spirit Awards for Mean Creek, alongside Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, and Trevor Morgan.

Additional film credits include ATM, Havoc, Special, and What Goes Up. He has also lent his voice to the Ice Age blockbuster franchise as the character of ‘Eddie’ as well as in Aliens in the Attic, in which he plays the voice of the character, Sparks. On television, he is best known for his role of ‘Josh’ on the Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh, Peck received a 2008 Kid’s Choice Award nomination for the hit series. In 2008, he starred in Nickelodeon’s highlyrated TV movie, Merry Christmas Drake & Josh.

Josh Peck is also known for his social media accounts, he has 2.6 million followers on Twitter and 12.8 million followers on Instagram. Peck currently resides in Los Angeles.