Carlos Pena, Jr.

Carlos PenaVega

Pena in 2010
Born Carlos Roberto Pena, Jr.
(1989-08-15) August 15, 1989
Columbia, Missouri, U.S.[1]
Occupation Actor, singer
Years active 2004–present
Spouse(s) Alexa PenaVega (m. 2014)

Musical career

Origin Weston, Florida, U.S.
Instruments Vocals, ukulele, tambourine, Guitar
Years active 2009–present
Labels Columbia
Associated acts Big Time Rush

Carlos Roberto PenaVega[2] (born Carlos Roberto Pena Jr.; August 15, 1989)[3] is an American actor and singer. He is best known for starring on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush as Carlos García in addition to being a member of the band Big Time Rush. He was the host of the Nickelodeon game show Webheads.

Early life

Carlos Roberto Pena, Jr. was born on August 15, 1989 in Columbia, Missouri.[1][4] His father is of Spanish and Venezuelan descent, while his mother is of Dominican descent.[5] He was raised in Weston, Florida.[3][6] He attended Sagemont Upper School where he was a cheerleader. He appeared in local productions of Grease and Man of La Mancha.[1] He also had a role in a production of Titanic by the American Heritage School, where he attended before leaving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.[6][7] During his run in Titanic he fell in love with singing and dancing.[6]

Career

His first acting role was a guest star at age ten on ER, followed later that year by guest-starring roles on Judging Amy, Summerland, and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.[4][6][7][8]

While still in high school, Pena appeared in television commercials for the Super Soaker brand recreational water gun, and his image even appeared on the toy's packaging. Pena was studying musical theater at the Boston Conservatory when his manager urged him to audition for Big Time Rush. Although he was reluctant to do so, he submitted an audition tape and won the role almost 2 years later.[3] Pena moved to Hollywood in August 2009.

Big Time Rush

For main article, see Big Time Rush and Big Time Rush (band).

Big Time Rush is an American pop boy band that formed in 2009. The band consists of Pena, Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, and Logan Henderson, all on vocals. Pena co-wrote the song "Oh Yeah" off of the group's first album, BTR. On the second album, he wrote "Invisible" along with Charley Greenberg, Cody Williams, Daniel Andrew Wayne, Jonathan Rotem. As of 2011, the band has released two albums, BTR and Elevate. They recently released their third album, 24/Seven, in which Pena wrote and co-wrote almost every song. He co-wrote "Picture This" with bandmate, James Maslow. Pena wrote "Lost in Love" for his wife, Alexa PenaVega. He also wrote the song "Na Na Na" on 24/Seven. In addition, BTR embarked on the Summer Break Tour, in support of the album.

Solo career

He released his first solo single in Spanish on February 4, 2014, titled "Electrico." The song charted in the top 10 of the Latin iTunes songs charts on release, yet failed to chart anywhere else. He presented for first time at the Nickelodeon Colombia Kids' Choice Awards given in Bogotá.

It was announced on August 27, 2015, that Carlos PenaVega would be competing on the 21st season of Dancing with the Stars. His wife, Alexa PenaVega, was also announced as one of the contestants who would be competing against him on the show.[9] His professional partner was Witney Carson.[10] PenaVega and Carson reached the Finals of the show but were eliminated on Night 1 and ended the competition in fourth place.

Personal life

Pena married actress Alexa Vega on January 4, 2014, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They combined their last names upon marriage and now go by Carlos and Alexa PenaVega.[11][12]

Filmography

Film
Year Show Role Notes
2011 Little Birds Louis
2011 The Hangover Hollywood Carlos Short film
2012 The Giant King Krudd Voice role (English version); also known as Yak
2014 Code Academy Marcos
2015 Spare Parts Oscar Vasquez
Television
Year Show Role Notes
2004 ER Arlo Escobar Episode: "Shot in the Dark "
2004–05 Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide King Bee 3 episodes
2005 Judging Amy Diego Valdesera Episode: "Diego Valdesera"
2005 Summerland Student Episode: "Sledgehammer"
2009–13 Big Time Rush Carlos Garcia Main role, 75 episodes
2011 Hand aufs Herz Himself with the band Big Time Rush, Episode 210 (Hand aufs Herz is a German telenovela on Sixx)
2011 Nick News Himself Episode: "Lies We Tell In Middle School"
2012 Big Time Movie Carlos Garcia Main role
2012 How To Rock Himself Episode: "How to Rock an Election"
2012 Figure It Out Himself 8 episodes (2, 11, 12, 22, 23, 30, 38, 41)
2012 Cupcake Wars Himself (cameo) Episode: "Big Time Rush"
2013 Marvin Marvin Himself Episode: "Big Time Marvin"
2014 Webheads Himself Host, 22 episodes
2015 Dancing with the Stars Himself Contestant on season 21, 14 episodes
2015 The Thundermans Tech Rider Episode: "No Country for Old Mentors"
2015 The Penguins of Madagascar Carlos the Beaver Episode: "Tunnel of Love"
2016 Grease Live Kenickie Live musical broadcast[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jicha, Tom (2007-10-24). "Making More Menudo", Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.
  2. ↑ Alexa Vega and Carlos Pena change last names, onenewspage.com; accessed January 31, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Rentería, Melissa (2009-11-26). "Plans Change as Pena Lands Co-Starring Role in Nickelodeon's 'Big Time Rush'." Conexión.
  4. 1 2 Moore, Frazier (2010-01-15). "An Inside Look at a Boy Band on Nick's New Comedy", Associated Press; accessed January 31, 2016.
  5. ↑ Hernandez, Lee (2011-02-28) Introducing “Big Time Rush” Star Carlos Pena. latina.com
  6. 1 2 3 4 Jicha, Tom. "In A Rush" Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel November 28, 2009.
  7. 1 2 Martin, Denise (2009-11-22). Child's Play, Los Angeles Times
  8. ↑ Martin, Denise (2009-11-26). "Big Time Rush Is A Little Bit Entourage, A Little Bit Monkees", Boston Globe; accessed January 31, 2016.
  9. ↑ Aguilera, Leanne (August 27, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE! 'Dancing With the Stars': Married Couple Alexa and Carlos PenaVega to Compete on Season 21". ET Online. Retrieved August 27, 2015.|
  10. ↑ "Dancing with the Stars Season 21 Cast Announcement". ABC. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ Eggenberger, Nicole (2013-06-19). "Alexa Vega Engaged to Carlos Pena, Jr., Congratulated by Ex-Husband - Us Weekly". Usmagazine.com. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  12. ↑ "Alexa Vega Engaged to Carlos Pena—See Her Diamond Ring!". Eonline.com. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  13. ↑ Hibberd, James (2015-07-09). "Fox's Grease: Live casts Graceland star as Danny Zuko". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2015-07-10.

External links

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