Nick Robinson Biography

Nicholas John "Nick" Robinson (born March 22, 1995) is an American actor. He currently co-stars as Ryder Scanlon, the nephew of Mel Burke, in the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey. He also plays the protagonist, Joe Toy, in The Kings of Summer (2013), directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts.

Life and career

Robinson was born March 22, 1995 in Seattle, Washington. He is the oldest of five children, though he also has two older half-siblings from his father's previous marriage. At age 9, his parents enrolled him in a local children's theater group called "Broadway Bound." At age 11, Robinson made his professional acting debut in a stage version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Robinson continued to perform in regional theater productions throughout the Seattle-area, including To Kill A Mockingbird, Mame, and A Thousand Clowns.

In 2008, a theater friend suggested to Robinson's parents that Nick should meet with legendary Hollywood talent scout, Matt Casella, who said of Robinson, "He's a real kid, with an extraordinary talent and gift, not to mention a smart, good natured, creative kid with a great smile. Nick is ready for LA." Casella then recommended him to a few agencies and eventually signed with The Savage Agency in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for Robinson, the 2007"2008 Writers Guild of America strike was in full swing so he and his parents returned to Washington where he continued to perform on stage in and around Seattle.

In 2009, after only his second television audition, Robinson landed the role of Ryder Scanlon, nephew of Melissa Joan Hart's character on the ABC Family sitcom, Melissa & Joey. Melissa & Joey premiered on August 17, 2010 and was an immediate hit.

In 2011, while on hiatus from Melissa & Joey, Robinson began filming of the Disney Channel original movie Frenemies with fellow Disney stars Bella Thorne and Zendaya of "Shake It Up." Robinson played the role of Jake Logan. Frenemies premiered on January 13, 2012 to stellar ratings on the Disney Channel.

In 2012, Robinson was cast in the lead role of Joe Toy in director Jordan Vogt-Roberts feature film-debut The Kings of Summer. Filming began in May 2012 in the Cleveland, Ohio-area and ended August 2012. The film, which premiered in select locations on May 31, 2013, is about a group of three outcast teens who decide one summer to leave home and live on their own in the nearby woods. He also guest-starred in the third season of HBO's Boardwalk Empire as Rowland Smith, a young thief who has stolen part of Nucky Thompson's (Steve Buscemi) underground liquor shipments. The episode, entitled "Blue Bell Boy," aired October 7, 2012. During the summer of 2012, Robinson began starring in a series of television commercials for Cox Communications entitled "Buffer Time is Bonding Time." A new series of commercials began airing in October 2012. Robinson will be appearing in 2015's Jurassic World as the older brother to Ty Simpkins.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2009	CC 2010	Young CC's Father	Credited as Nick J. Robinson
2010	Displaced	Kid with Towel
2012	Frenemies	Jake Logan
2013	The Kings of Summer	Joe Toy
2015	Jurassic World	Unknown role	Develpoment

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010"present	Melissa & Joey	Ryder Scanlon	Series Regular
2012	Boardwalk Empire	Rowland Smith	Guest Star

Theater

Year	Venue	Title	Role	Notes
2006	ACT Theatre	A Christmas Carol	Turkey Boy
2007	Intiman Playhouse	To Kill a Mockingbird	Jem Finch
2008	5th Avenue Theatre	Mame	Patrick Dennis
2009	Intiman Playhouse	A Thousand Clowns	Nick Burns
2010	Village Theatre	Lost in Yonkers	Arty