Jennette McCurdy is an American actress, singer, and writer. She is best known for her roles as Sam Puckett on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly and its spin-off series Sam & Cat. She has also appeared in a number of films, including What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Let's Stay Together, and The Last Movie Star. McCurdy began her acting career in 2000, appearing in several television commercials. She made her film debut in 2002, with a minor role in the comedy film Big Fat Liar. She then went on to star in the Nickelodeon series iCarly, which ran from 2007 to 2012. During this time, she also starred in the films What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Let's Stay Together, and The Last Movie Star. In addition to acting, McCurdy has also released two studio albums, Jennette McCurdy and Not That Far Away. She has also written several books, including the autobiographical book I'm Not That Far Away. McCurdy is an advocate for animal rights and has been involved in several charitable causes. She is also an active member of the LGBT community and has spoken out in support of same-sex marriage.