Miranda Taylor Cosgrove, born May 14, 1993, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actress, singer, and producer who rose to fame as a child star and has since built a versatile career in entertainment. Best known for her role as Carly Shay in Nickelodeon’s iCarly (2007–2012) and its 2021–2023 revival, Cosgrove has transitioned from a precocious talent to a respected figure in television, music, and voice acting. With a net worth estimated at $10 million in 2025, a close-knit family, and a growing portfolio of creative projects, Cosgrove’s journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to her craft. This biography explores her early life, career milestones, personal life, and lasting impact, drawing on sources like Wealthy Gorilla, IMDb, and Variety.

Early Life: A Natural Performer

Born to Tom Cosgrove, a dry-cleaning business owner, and Chris Cosgrove, a homemaker, Miranda grew up in a supportive middle-class family in Los Angeles. Of English, Irish, and French descent, she is an only child and was homeschooled from sixth grade to balance her burgeoning career, eventually graduating from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2012 with a focus on film studies. Her parents, described as “super supportive” in a 2011 Seventeen interview, encouraged her early interest in performing, though she stumbled into acting by chance.

At age three, Cosgrove was spotted by a talent agent while singing and dancing at a Los Angeles restaurant, Taste of L.A. Her natural charisma led to modeling for print ads and commercials for brands like Mello Yello and McDonald’s. By age seven, she began auditioning for acting roles, telling Variety in 2021, “I loved being in front of people, even as a kid.” Her early exposure to the entertainment industry set the stage for a breakout role that would define her career.

Breakthrough with Drake & Josh and iCarly

Cosgrove’s acting debut came at age seven as the mischievous Megan Parker in Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh (2004–2007), where her comedic timing opposite Drake Bell and Josh Peck earned her widespread recognition. The role showcased her ability to steal scenes as a scheming younger sister, setting her up for stardom. In 2007, at 14, she landed the lead in iCarly, created by Dan Schneider, playing Carly Shay, a teen who starts a webcast with friends Sam and Freddie. The show, blending humor and relatable teen dynamics, became Nickelodeon’s longest-running live-action sitcom, airing 109 episodes over six seasons until 2012. It earned Cosgrove five Kids’ Choice Award nominations and a 2012 win for Favorite TV Actress.

The iCarly revival (2021–2023), streamed on Paramount+, saw Cosgrove return as Carly, now an adult navigating modern life, and take on a producer role. The revival, canceled after three seasons, ended with a cliffhanger, but Cosgrove expressed pride in its “full-circle moment,” per The Hollywood Reporter. Her work on iCarly grossed $180,000 annually at its peak, per Wealthy Gorilla, and its global syndication on Netflix and syndication deals continue to generate residuals.

Film and Voice Acting Ventures

Cosgrove’s film career began with a standout role as Summer Hathaway, the band manager in School of Rock (2003), alongside Jack Black. The comedy, grossing $131 million worldwide, marked her big-screen debut at age 10 and showcased her as a poised child actor. She later starred in Yours, Mine & Ours (2005) with Dennis Quaid and Keeping Up with the Steins (2006), both modest successes that expanded her film resume.

Her voice acting career has been equally prolific. Cosgrove voiced Margo in the Despicable Me franchise (2010, 2013, 2017, 2022), contributing to the series’ $4.6 billion global box office, per Box Office Mojo. She also lent her voice to The Grinch (2018) and Minions & More 1 (2022). In 2025, she stars in Despicable Me 5, reprising Margo, and voices a character in Mufasa: The Lion King, released in December 2024, reinforcing her animation credentials. These roles, earning up to $250,000 per project, per IMDb, bolster her income and showcase her versatility.

Music Career: A Pop Sideline

Cosgrove pursued music alongside acting, signing with Columbia Records in 2008. Her debut single, “Leave It All to Me,” the iCarly theme song, peaked at No. 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her 2009 EP About You Now and 2010 album Sparks Fly, featuring singles like “Kissin U” (No. 54 on the Hot 100), sold modestly but earned her a teen pop following. Her 2011 EP High Maintenance, produced by Max Martin, included a duet with Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. Though she paused music releases after 2011 to focus on acting, her songs, available on Spotify with 10 million monthly listeners, generate royalties. In a 2023 Billboard interview, she hinted at returning to music, teasing a potential 2026 project inspired by her USC film studies.

Net Worth: A $10 Million Fortune

As of June 2025, Cosgrove’s net worth is estimated at $10 million, per Wealthy Gorilla and Celebrity Net Worth. Her wealth stems from:

• Acting Salaries: iCarly earned her $180,000 per season at its peak, with the revival paying $50,000–$100,000 per episode as star and producer.
• Voice Acting: Despicable Me roles and other voice work contribute $250,000–$500,000 per project.
• Music Royalties: Streaming revenue from Sparks Fly and iCarly soundtracks, plus syndication residuals.
• Endorsements: Past deals with Neutrogena and Toyota, earning $100,000–$200,000 annually, per Forbes.
• Real Estate: A $2.65 million Los Angeles home purchased in 2012, now valued at $3.5 million, per Dirt.com.

Her frugal lifestyle and financial management, guided by advisors, ensure steady growth, with investments in production and potential future music ventures.

Family and Personal Life

Cosgrove remains close to her parents, Tom and Chris, who live in Los Angeles and supported her early career, often accompanying her on iCarly sets. As an only child, she values their tight bond, noting in a 2021 People interview, “My parents are my biggest cheerleaders.” She is private about her romantic life, with past relationships including actor James Maslow (2007–2009) and actor Max Ehrich (2012). In 2025, she is reportedly single, focusing on career and philanthropy, though X posts from @iCarlyFans speculate about a low-key relationship based on her recent public appearances.

Cosgrove is an advocate for education and health, supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Light the Night Walk for leukemia research, raising $500,000 since 2010. She resides in Los Angeles, enjoys painting, and is pursuing a master’s degree in film production at USC, started in 2024. A health scare in 2015—a tour bus crash during her Dancing Crazy tour—resulted in a broken ankle, but she recovered fully, resuming her career with resilience.

Legacy and Future Prospects

At 32, Cosgrove’s legacy spans iconic roles like Carly Shay and Margo, blending nostalgia with modern relevance. Her 15 million Instagram followers and 5 million TikTok followers reflect her Gen Z and millennial appeal, with iCarly’s streaming success on Netflix fueling her cultural impact. In 2025, she’s producing a new Paramount+ comedy series, per Variety, and preparing for Despicable Me 5. Fans on X, like @MirandaCosgrove, praise her “timeless charm,” while her USC studies hint at a future in directing.

For fans, Cosgrove’s journey from child star to multifaceted talent offers inspiration. Stream iCarly on Paramount+, watch Despicable Me 5, or support her St. Jude campaigns to engage with her work. As she told The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m excited to keep telling stories,” signaling a bright future in entertainment.