Kenton Duty
Encyclopedia
Kenton Duty is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his recurring role as "Young Jacob" on the final season of the ABC
primetime drama, Lost
, and for his co-starring role as the flamboyant European exchange student
, Gunther Hessenheffer on the Disney Channel
comedy series, Shake It Up!
.
and has two younger siblings, twin sisters, Jessica and Rebecca, born in 1999. Duty first began studying acting at the age of 9, when his parents suggested he attend a summer musical theatre workshop to help him feel comfortable in front of an audience for school presentations. It was at the summer workshop that he discovered he had a love for musical theatre, and it was there that he would also meet the casting director who would ask him to audition for his first play, A Christmas Carol
.
at the age of 9, playing "Young Scrooge" in the Dallas Theater Center's
musical stage production of A Christmas Carol
. He appeared on-stage again the following year with a principal role in the Denton Community Theater's production of Ragtime
. Duty began auditioning for roles in Los Angeles after he was discovered at a showcase performance at the Young Actors Studio in Dallas, Texas by Hollywood talent agent
, Cindy Osbrink and she invited him to come to California to audition for pilot season. He has appeared in numerous national commercials for McDonalds, Wal-Mart
, Pizza Hut
, and Mattel
.
In 2007, after several appearances in comedy sketches on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
, Duty landed his first featured role as Michael in the Lifetime television movie, Christmas in Paradise
. Over the next two years, he appeared in guest-starring roles on the television crime drama, Cold Case and The Jay Leno Show
, as well as a co-starring role in the popular web series Ctrl
. In 2009, Duty landed his first feature film role in the suspense thriller, 2:13
, as well as feature film roles in the horror film, Forget Me Not
, the comedy film, Crazy on the Outside
, and the Bollywood
film, My Name Is Khan
. In the spring of 2010, Duty gained popular notoriety in the role of "Young Jacob" on the hit TV series Lost
, although no one, including Duty himself, knew who his character was until nearly the final episode of the series. He was billed simply as “Teenage Boy.”
In the fall of 2010, Duty landed a co-starring role on the Disney Channel
original series Shake It Up!
as the flamboyant dancer/fashion designer, Gunther Hessenheffer alongside Caroline Sunshine
as his fraternal twin sister, Tinka. The glitzy brother/sister duo of Gunther and Tinka is said to be inspired by Ryan and Sharpay Evans of Disney's High School Musical
franchise. While finding some aspects of the show formulaic, People Magazine critic, Tom Gliatto expressed appreciation for the comedic twosome's work on the series, writing - "Shake It Up doesn't shake up the kidcom formula, but it has something more than the usual shiny-sparkly cuteness... The best performances are from Caroline Sunshine and Kenton Duty as an overbearing brother-and-sister act from abroad named Tinka and Gunther. They're like High School Musical's Sharpay split in two and speaking in an unplaceable accent."
with his parents and two younger twin sisters. Duty loves animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian
before beginning his acting career. He has a pet guinea pig
named "Peanut", and a horse that he keeps on his grandmother's property in Texas. Duty's hobbies include baking, cooking, and horseback riding. He also enjoys singing, playing guitar and songwriting. Before beginning work on the TV series Shake It Up!
, Duty played guitar and sang in the band KGMC Gigmasters with Braeden Lemasters
and fellow Lost
co-star Dylan Minnette
. Having no dance experience prior to his role on Shake It Up, Duty began taking private lessons in his free time to develop his dance skills.
When he isn't working, Duty involves himself with charitable causes including the Disney's Friends for Change
initiative, which benefits environmental charities through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, the Starlight Children's Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to researching and treating pediatric diseases, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with cystic fibrosis
, and St. Jude Children's Hospital, which is dedicated to providing treatment to children with cancer
and other catastrophic illness
es.
In addition to his charity work, Duty has been an outspoken voice against school bullying
. In May 2011, he was named one of Dream Magazine's "Top 16 Under 16" and, when asked about the problem of bullying and cyber-bullying
, Duty told the magazine - "You know, I have been bullied. It is always an awkward and difficult situation to be in. A couple of things to try when being bullied is to avoid the bully as much as possible, try using humor against the bully, have a sense of confidence….hold your head up and look everyone in the eyes."
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
primetime drama, Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
, and for his co-starring role as the flamboyant European exchange student
Student exchange program
A student exchange program generally could be defined as a program where students from secondary school or university choose to study abroad in partner institutions...
, Gunther Hessenheffer on the Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
comedy series, Shake It Up!
Shake It Up (TV series)
Shake It Up is an American television sitcom airing on Disney Channel in the United States. The series premiered on November 7, 2010. Created by Chris Thompson and starring Bella Thorne and Zendaya, the show follows the adventures of Cece Jones and Rocky Blue as they star as background dancers on...
.
Early life
Kenton Duty was born Jeffrey Kenton Duty, on May 12, 1995. He was born and raised in Plano, TexasPlano, Texas
Plano is a city in the state of Texas, located mostly within Collin County. The city's population was 259,841 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth-largest city in Texas and the 71st most populous city in the United States. Plano is located within the metropolitan area commonly referred to as...
and has two younger siblings, twin sisters, Jessica and Rebecca, born in 1999. Duty first began studying acting at the age of 9, when his parents suggested he attend a summer musical theatre workshop to help him feel comfortable in front of an audience for school presentations. It was at the summer workshop that he discovered he had a love for musical theatre, and it was there that he would also meet the casting director who would ask him to audition for his first play, A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens first published by Chapman & Hall on 17 December 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of...
.
Career
In 2004, Duty began his acting career in Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
at the age of 9, playing "Young Scrooge" in the Dallas Theater Center's
Dallas Theater Center
The Dallas Theater Center is a major regional theater in Dallas, Texas . It produces classic, contemporary and new plays. The theater was based in the Kalita Humphreys Theater, a building designed by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, from 1959 to 2009...
musical stage production of A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens first published by Chapman & Hall on 17 December 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of...
. He appeared on-stage again the following year with a principal role in the Denton Community Theater's production of Ragtime
Ragtime (musical)
Ragtime is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty.Based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime tells the story of three groups in America, represented by Coalhouse Walker Jr., a Harlem musician; Mother, the matriarch of a WASP family in...
. Duty began auditioning for roles in Los Angeles after he was discovered at a showcase performance at the Young Actors Studio in Dallas, Texas by Hollywood talent agent
Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
, Cindy Osbrink and she invited him to come to California to audition for pilot season. He has appeared in numerous national commercials for McDonalds, Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
, and Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
.
In 2007, after several appearances in comedy sketches on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that initially aired from May 25, 1992 to May 29, 2009, and resumed production on March 1, 2010. The fourth incarnation of the Tonight Show franchise made its debut on May 25, 1992, three days following Johnny...
, Duty landed his first featured role as Michael in the Lifetime television movie, Christmas in Paradise
Christmas in Paradise
Christmas in Paradise is a 2007 Lifetime television movie starring Charlotte Ross, Colin Ferguson, Devon Werkheiser, Josie Loren, Kenton Duty and Aria Wallace about two families who find companionship during a Caribbean Christmas holiday, only to have their idyllic vacation disrupted by an...
. Over the next two years, he appeared in guest-starring roles on the television crime drama, Cold Case and The Jay Leno Show
The Jay Leno Show
The Jay Leno Show is an American comedy show created by and starring Jay Leno, that aired from September 14, 2009 to February 9, 2010 on NBC following the May 29, 2009 conclusion of Leno's first tenure as host of The Tonight Show...
, as well as a co-starring role in the popular web series Ctrl
Ctrl (web series)
Ctrl is an American comedy web series of NBC. It is the first stand-alone web series launched by a major television network. The series stars Tony Hale as a typical office-working, self-confidence lacking nerd who discovers he can undo things in real life.It is an adaptation and expansion of the...
. In 2009, Duty landed his first feature film role in the suspense thriller, 2:13
Two:Thirteen
Two:Thirteen , is a 2009 horror/thriller film directed by Charles Adelman and starring Mark Thompson, Mark Pellegrino, Teri Polo, and Kevin Pollak.-Synopsis:...
, as well as feature film roles in the horror film, Forget Me Not
Forget Me Not (2009 film)
Forget Me Not is a 2009 American supernatural horror film. The film stars Cody Linley, Carly Schroeder, Chloe Bridges, Jillian Murray, and Micah Alberti. It is also written and directed by Tyler Oliver, and is a limited release.-Plot:...
, the comedy film, Crazy on the Outside
Crazy on the Outside
Crazy on the Outside is a 2010 comedy film starring and directed by Tim Allen. This is Allen's first time directing, and is notable for reuniting Allen with co-stars from many of his previous films .-Plot:Thomas Zelda has been paroled from prison for...
, and the Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
film, My Name Is Khan
My Name is Khan
My Name Is Khan ; commonly referred to as MNIK, is a 2010 Bollywood film directed by Karan Johar, with a screenplay by Shibani Bathija, produced by Hiroo Yash Johar and Gauri Khan, and starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, who reunite after nine years...
. In the spring of 2010, Duty gained popular notoriety in the role of "Young Jacob" on the hit TV series Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
, although no one, including Duty himself, knew who his character was until nearly the final episode of the series. He was billed simply as “Teenage Boy.”
In the fall of 2010, Duty landed a co-starring role on the Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
original series Shake It Up!
Shake It Up (TV series)
Shake It Up is an American television sitcom airing on Disney Channel in the United States. The series premiered on November 7, 2010. Created by Chris Thompson and starring Bella Thorne and Zendaya, the show follows the adventures of Cece Jones and Rocky Blue as they star as background dancers on...
as the flamboyant dancer/fashion designer, Gunther Hessenheffer alongside Caroline Sunshine
Caroline Sunshine
Caroline Sunshine is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Barbara Winslow in the Fox family film, Marmaduke, and for her co-starring role as flashy European exchange student Tinka Hessenheffer on the Disney Channel comedy series Shake It Up.-Early life:Caroline Sunshine was born...
as his fraternal twin sister, Tinka. The glitzy brother/sister duo of Gunther and Tinka is said to be inspired by Ryan and Sharpay Evans of Disney's High School Musical
High School Musical
High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
franchise. While finding some aspects of the show formulaic, People Magazine critic, Tom Gliatto expressed appreciation for the comedic twosome's work on the series, writing - "Shake It Up doesn't shake up the kidcom formula, but it has something more than the usual shiny-sparkly cuteness... The best performances are from Caroline Sunshine and Kenton Duty as an overbearing brother-and-sister act from abroad named Tinka and Gunther. They're like High School Musical's Sharpay split in two and speaking in an unplaceable accent."
Personal life
Duty currently lives in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
with his parents and two younger twin sisters. Duty loves animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
before beginning his acting career. He has a pet guinea pig
Guinea pig
The guinea pig , also called the cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family, nor are they from Guinea...
named "Peanut", and a horse that he keeps on his grandmother's property in Texas. Duty's hobbies include baking, cooking, and horseback riding. He also enjoys singing, playing guitar and songwriting. Before beginning work on the TV series Shake It Up!
Shake It Up (TV series)
Shake It Up is an American television sitcom airing on Disney Channel in the United States. The series premiered on November 7, 2010. Created by Chris Thompson and starring Bella Thorne and Zendaya, the show follows the adventures of Cece Jones and Rocky Blue as they star as background dancers on...
, Duty played guitar and sang in the band KGMC Gigmasters with Braeden Lemasters
Braeden Lemasters
Braeden Lemasters is an American actor, musician and voice actor. He is best known for his role as Albert in Men of a Certain Age. He is also the founding member/one of two lead singers/lead guitar player/and songwriter of the band The Feaver.-Life and career:Braeden was born in Warren, Ohio...
and fellow Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
co-star Dylan Minnette
Dylan Minnette
Dylan Christopher Minnette is an American teen actor and musician.-Life and career:Minnette was born in Evansville, Indiana to Robyn Maker-Minnette, moved briefly to Champaign, Illinois for 5 years, and later moved to Los Angeles to continue his acting career.His first role was a single episode of...
. Having no dance experience prior to his role on Shake It Up, Duty began taking private lessons in his free time to develop his dance skills.
When he isn't working, Duty involves himself with charitable causes including the Disney's Friends for Change
Disney's Friends for Change
Disney's Friends for Change is a pro-social "green" initiative that started in the summer of 2009. Disney stars stress environmental issues in the campaign, encouraging fans to take action. The year-long campaign draws on how Disney stars connect with young fans...
initiative, which benefits environmental charities through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, the Starlight Children's Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to researching and treating pediatric diseases, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a non-profit organization in the United States established to provide the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis . The Foundation provides information about cystic fibrosis and finances CF research that aims to improve the quality of life for people with the...
, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
, and St. Jude Children's Hospital, which is dedicated to providing treatment to children with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and other catastrophic illness
Catastrophic illness
A catastrophic illness is a severe illness requiring prolonged hospitalization or recovery. Examples would include coma, cancer, leukemia, heart attack or stroke. These illnesses usually involve high costs for hospitals, doctors and medicines and may incapacitate the person from working, creating a...
es.
In addition to his charity work, Duty has been an outspoken voice against school bullying
School bullying
School bullying is a type of bullying that occurs in connection with education, either inside or outside of school. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or emotional and is usually repeated over a period of time.In schools, bullying occurs in all areas...
. In May 2011, he was named one of Dream Magazine's "Top 16 Under 16" and, when asked about the problem of bullying and cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying is the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner. As it has become more common in society, particularly among young people, legislation and awareness campaigns have arisen to combat it.-Definition:The term...
, Duty told the magazine - "You know, I have been bullied. It is always an awkward and difficult situation to be in. A couple of things to try when being bullied is to avoid the bully as much as possible, try using humor against the bully, have a sense of confidence….hold your head up and look everyone in the eyes."
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | 2:13 Two:Thirteen Two:Thirteen , is a 2009 horror/thriller film directed by Charles Adelman and starring Mark Thompson, Mark Pellegrino, Teri Polo, and Kevin Pollak.-Synopsis:... |
Young Russell | — |
| 2009 | Forget Me Not Forget Me Not (2009 film) Forget Me Not is a 2009 American supernatural horror film. The film stars Cody Linley, Carly Schroeder, Chloe Bridges, Jillian Murray, and Micah Alberti. It is also written and directed by Tyler Oliver, and is a limited release.-Plot:... |
Young Chad | — |
| 2010 | Crazy on the Outside Crazy on the Outside Crazy on the Outside is a 2010 comedy film starring and directed by Tim Allen. This is Allen's first time directing, and is notable for reuniting Allen with co-stars from many of his previous films .-Plot:Thomas Zelda has been paroled from prison for... |
Ethan Papadopolous | — |
| 2010 | My Name Is Khan My Name is Khan My Name Is Khan ; commonly referred to as MNIK, is a 2010 Bollywood film directed by Karan Johar, with a screenplay by Shibani Bathija, produced by Hiroo Yash Johar and Gauri Khan, and starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, who reunite after nine years... |
Older Reese Garrick | — |
| Television | |||
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
| 2006–2007 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno The Tonight Show with Jay Leno The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that initially aired from May 25, 1992 to May 29, 2009, and resumed production on March 1, 2010. The fourth incarnation of the Tonight Show franchise made its debut on May 25, 1992, three days following Johnny... |
Various roles | 4 episodes |
| 2007 | Christmas in Paradise Christmas in Paradise Christmas in Paradise is a 2007 Lifetime television movie starring Charlotte Ross, Colin Ferguson, Devon Werkheiser, Josie Loren, Kenton Duty and Aria Wallace about two families who find companionship during a Caribbean Christmas holiday, only to have their idyllic vacation disrupted by an... |
Michael Marino | (TV movie) |
| 2008 | 3-Minute Game Show Disney Channel's 3 Minute Game Show Disney Channel's 3 Minute Game Show is a three-minute game show series on Disney Channel where three contestants have three minutes to answer trivia questions to win the trophy. The show started in 2007 for High School Musical 2 with Monique Coleman hosting. The most recent host was Jason Earles in... |
Himself - Contestant | 1 episode |
| 2008 | Cold Case | Young Chuck Collier '69 | 1 episode |
| 2009 | Ctrl Ctrl (web series) Ctrl is an American comedy web series of NBC. It is the first stand-alone web series launched by a major television network. The series stars Tony Hale as a typical office-working, self-confidence lacking nerd who discovers he can undo things in real life.It is an adaptation and expansion of the... |
Young Ben | 10 episodes |
| 2009 | The Jay Leno Show The Jay Leno Show The Jay Leno Show is an American comedy show created by and starring Jay Leno, that aired from September 14, 2009 to February 9, 2010 on NBC following the May 29, 2009 conclusion of Leno's first tenure as host of The Tonight Show... |
Various roles | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Lost Lost (TV series) Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island... |
Teenage Boy (Young Jacob) | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Young Jacob | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Last Man Standing Last Man Standing (U.S. TV series) Last Man Standing is an American television sitcom starring Tim Allen and Nancy Travis that currently airs on ABC. The series premiered on October 11, 2011... |
Victor Blake | 1 episode |
| 2010–present | Shake It Up! Shake It Up (TV series) Shake It Up is an American television sitcom airing on Disney Channel in the United States. The series premiered on November 7, 2010. Created by Chris Thompson and starring Bella Thorne and Zendaya, the show follows the adventures of Cece Jones and Rocky Blue as they star as background dancers on... |
Gunther Hessenheffer | Co-starring |
Discography
| Singles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Song | Album | Notes |
| 2011 | "Monster Mash" | Spooky Buddies Soundtrack Spooky Buddies Spooky Buddies is a 2011 Disney direct-to-DVD family film that is part of the Disney Buddies franchise, a series often referred to as the Air Bud and Air Buddies franchise. For the fifth installment in the Air Buddies series, the team has a Halloween adventure in Fernfield... |
With Adam Irigoyen Adam Irigoyen Adam Irigoyen is an American actor, singer, rapper and dancer. He is best known for his role as Deuce Martinez on the Disney Channel original series Shake It Up.-Career:... & Davis Cleveland Davis Cleveland Davis Cleveland is an American television actor, rapper and singer. He is best known for his role as the mischievous little brother Flynn Jones on the Disney Channel original series Shake It Up.-Career:... |