by Karen Tortorella

 

Noah says he would never think of going around shedding his shirt when he becomes excited or upset. But, he says he isn’t surprised that the shedding of the shirt scenes have gone over so big with Nickelodeon audiences.

“I’m really quite a mellow kid, and I guess I have a crazy side I can tap into.  But, my character, Gibby, is really out there.  He really is a weird kid and people seem to love a weird character who is goofy and randomly acts out.  Most kids and some adults would love to dance on the table and shed their shirts, but they would never try it.  I’m not weird like Gibby, but I bring my own stuff to the character,” he explained.

Noah says he grew into the character of Gibby.  He relates it was difficult at first.

“It was really hard at first, but then I lost myself in the character of Gibby.  People laugh when you go outside of normal behavior, but it touches them.  Gibby really comes naturally to me,” he said.

Noah can’t really see himself doing anything else than what he is doing now.  He loves being on the show and is happy with becoming a regular.

“The thing I love about acting and being on the show is making people laugh and connecting with them.  I really just want to act at this point in my life,” he said.

kidsnewsnc.com wanted to know if the cast members played practical jokes on each other on the set. Noah’s fellow cast members include Miranda Cosgrove (Carly Shay), Jennette McCurdy (Sam Puckett), Nathan Kress (Freddie Benson) and Jerry Trainor (Spencer Shay).

“Oh, yes…all the time. Jerry Trainor (Spencer Shay) is always hiding behind us on the set, and then he will try and surprise us and try and make us laugh,” he revealed.

And, why does he think iCarly has been at the top of kids’ watch list for so long.

“I think iCarly shows kids in real life situations. It is believable to kids.  It is not just pretend stuff. Kids can relate because it shows real life situations kids encounter growing up,” he said.

In an upcoming episode on March 19th “iPity the Nevel”, shows how friends can come together and support each other.

“In this episode, a video of Nevel yelling at a little girl surfaces on the internet and everyone turns against him.  At first, his friends aren’t sorry it happened, but then they feel badly for him when he asks them to help him. We all try and help him restore his reputation by encouraging him to apologize to the little girl for his bad behavior and face up to it,” he explained.

Noah has two rock solid mentors to guide him in his life.  His father is a pastor.

“My parents are really my mentors.  They are always there for me, and help me in choosing steps to take in my life.  But, in the acting field I think Steve Carell can do it all, and I would love to learn from him.  But, I would also love to work with Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges on anything in the future,” he said.

One of the iCarly episodes dealt with Camp Del Corazon, a summer camp on Catalina Island in California for children with heart disease and a history of heart disease.  Noah has become an active supporter of the group.

“Some of the kids from the camp were on an episode of ER I guest starred in and I got to know some of them and their camp director.  We really bonded and I wanted to help,” he explained.

Noah is home schooled, but also has a tutor.  He is very enthusiastic about acting and sees himself expanding his roles.  He was also cast in the role of Bobby Sinclair, the confident, older than his years, junior lawn-mowing entrepreneur in the TruGreen commercials. He was also the voice of Xavier from Phineas & Ferb.

“My main focus is acting right now, and I don’t see myself doing anything else or want to do anything else. I would like to play comedic roles in the movies, but also some dramatic roles. But, heh, I’m only 14 years old!” he joked.

What advice would Noah give to kids who want to enter the acting profession?

He quickly answered.  “Always be yourself. Stick it out even if you are left out.  You always have to be determined, and not let mistakes hold you back in any way, and then you find your chance,” he concluded.

kidsnewsinc.com thinks Noah Munck will be making audiences laugh and connect for many years to come even if he keeps his shirt on!

*Noah has been nominated for a Nickelodeon 2011 Kid’s Choice Award for his work as the comedic sidekick on iCarly! He has kidsnewsinc.com’s vote.