Everything about Miranda Cosgrove’s parents, Chris and Tom Cosgrove

Miranda Cosgrove thanks her parents for giving her the support she needed during her long career in Hollywood.

The iCarly Star was born on May 14, 1993, in Los Angeles to Chris and Tom Cosgrove. She began acting just a few years later after being discovered by an agent at the age of 3. Although Chris and Tom were initially unconvinced by the idea of ​​her working in the entertainment industry, they eventually decided that modeling and acting could be a good way for Miranda to save money for college.

Miranda made her breakthrough early on in the role of a precocious student in School of Rock. She then quickly became a favorite of Nickelodeon, where she played the role of the scheming little sister Drake and Josh and later as the main actor in the successful series iCarly.

Miranda later went to college, repeated her iCarly role in the 2021 remake and starred in her first romantic comedy in 2024, Mother of the bride.

“My parents were definitely a big help to me,” said the actress in Today Show in 2016 when asked what has kept her going over the years. “I really enjoy spending a lot of time with them and always knowing that I have someone I can go to.”

From staying out of the spotlight to sharing a house with her daughter, here’s everything you need to know about Miranda Cosgrove’s parents, Chris and Tom Cosgrove.

They were hesitant about whether she would work in Hollywood

Miranda was first discovered by an agent when she was 3 years old. Chris was initially unnerved by the idea of ​​her young daughter working in the spotlight, but eventually decided it might be worth a try if it would help her put money aside for her education.

“When we decided to do this, our big plan was to get money for college,” said Chris The New York Times in a 2011 profile of Miranda. The actress was named the highest-paid child actress on television by Guinness World Records in 2010.

They worked hard to help her live a “normal” life

Chris and Tom have always stayed out of the spotlight, trying to give their daughter a sense of normalcy as she rose to stardom in her early teens. In 2011, the couple still lived in the house where Miranda grew up in Downey, California, and Tom owned a dry cleaning business where he worked every day.

“We don’t feel like we’re part of their world,” said Chris The New York Times“What are we going to do afterward? And you know, it’s not our money. So we’re going to do our own thing,” she said of holding on to her pre-Hollywood lifestyle.

They also worked to ensure that Miranda remained in public school as long as possible, but by sixth grade it became increasingly difficult to coordinate her school and filming schedule.

“It was hard for my mom to give in,” Miranda said. “I remember her asking, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure you want to stick with acting?'”

The actress herself was initially excited about the prospect of home schooling. “At first I was quite happy to be home schooled,” she explained, “because all my friends were scared of the first day of middle school. But actually it’s harder. You’re all alone.”

Up until this point, Chris made sure Miranda always found time to see her childhood friends and helped her maintain close relationships outside of Hollywood.

Her mother often accompanied her to public events

Chris has stayed by Miranda’s side at all kinds of events, from red carpet premieres to talk show appearances, concerts, press appearances and more. She was present at Miranda’s 2016 chat Today, where the actress praised her parents’ down-to-earth presence and noted that they were both sitting in the audience.

Chris also appeared alongside her daughter in a few performances in 2008, from opening for Nickelodeon to a Broadway play. Miranda has also shared a handful of old photos of herself with both parents on social media over the years.

She keeps her parents updated when it comes to dating

As a child star, dating comes with its own limitations and complications, and Miranda’s parents have been supportive of her through it. In 2011, the actress recalled an incident in which her mother actually followed her and her date into a restaurant – something the mother-daughter duo recalled with humor.

“It’s not what it sounds like,” said Chris The New York Timesadding, “I had to pick her up at the restaurant anyway, so I thought I might as well go and wait.”

Tom, on the other hand, is not a fan of Miranda’s typical type. “I always like really skinny and nerdy,” she said Hectic in 2024. “In my father’s eyes, the perfect man for me would be someone like The notebook. You know how Ryan Gosling’s character Noah basically built an entire house? My dad would have loved Ryan Gosling in that movie for me.”

The Kids’ Choice Award winner added: “When I started my last relationship, I told him, ‘I really like this guy and I think I might end up with him.’ And my dad said, ‘What can he build?'”

She graduated from her father’s alma mater

The Despicable Me Star attended her father’s alma mater, the University of Southern California. The actress began attending the school in 2012 and initially studied film studies before switching to psychology in her third year.

At a performance in 2017 on Live! With Kelly and RyanMiranda spoke about her decision to change her major. “My dad also studied psychology at USC, but now he owns a dry cleaning business,” she said, adding, “He still says he uses it all the time though.”

Chris acknowledged at the time that Miranda’s decision to focus on her studies could have a negative impact on her career, but that taking a break could also have benefits.

“Yes, it could cause her to lose momentum,” said Chris The New York Times“I understand that. But if the talent is there, it will always be there. And in some ways, you might not be stuck in the stigma of being a child star when you come back. So that could be an advantage.”

She spends a lot of time at her parents’ house

Miranda spends most of her time at her parents’ house, although she bought her own house in LA in 2012, shortly before the final season of. iCarly broadcast.

The actress even previously played a college student who returns home to live with her family Overfilledand joked that the show wasn’t that far removed from her own life situation.

“I feel like everyone wants to find a way to get out and be independent, but for me, it was like I suddenly had this place to live and I was like, ‘Oh no.’ My mom doesn’t do my laundry and I don’t have anyone to watch TV with at night,” she told PEOPLE in 2016.

In a caption on Instagram, Miranda affectionately referred to her mother as her “late night TV buddy for life.”

Miranda is incredibly close to her parents

Miranda’s parents appear on her Instagram account every year, where she shares sweet tributes and old photos of her family for Mother’s and Father’s Day.

“Today is Mother’s Day and my birthday!” she wrote as she celebrated her 30th birthday in 2023. “I am extremely grateful for my crazy, hilarious, amazing mom and for all the memories I have been able to create over the last 30 years.”

In 2017, she shared a picture of her parents standing together and holding her up. “My little family! Happy Mother’s Day to my wonderful, perfect mommy,” Miranda wrote. “She tells me what to do even though I’m old and she’s always there when I’m sad. I love you!”

As for her father, Miranda highlighted all the things he has taught her over the years, from memorizing her lyrics to riding a bike. “Happy Father’s Day… always ready with his toolbox to fix anything, hilarious daddy. I love him so much,” she wrote in 2021, sharing a ton of old photos of her father looking at her dotingly.

On Father’s Day 2017, the actress lovingly described her father as “the best dad ever!” Miranda added, “He’s always there for me, always there to give me good advice, and always ready to beat me at a fun game of Scrabble. I love you!!!”