Kevin Gerard Schmidt (born August 16, 1988) is an American actor, known best for his role as Henry Baker in Cheaper by the Dozen and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and as Noah Newman in The Young and the Restless. Schmidt also played Ryan in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and starred on Cartoon Network's first live-action scripted television series, Unnatural History. Schmidt also co-created, starred in, produced, and directed a cult web-series, Poor Paul. Schmidt continues to write, direct, and act, and also served as president of the Conscious Human Initiative,[1] a non-profit organization that sought to reduce malnutrition worldwide.
At first, Schmidt did not plan to work in the entertainment industry. As a football player and a student, Schmidt was uninterested in acting but was persuaded to start auditioning after his two brothers, Kenneth and Kendall, found success as actors in Los Angeles, California. Schmidt was ten years old when he began to book a string of guest-starring roles and appeared on a number of prime time television shows including NCIS, Bones, Without a Trace, CSI: NY, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Monk. Schmidt also found success on the big screen. In addition to his role in Cheaper by the Dozen and its sequel, Schmidt co-starred with Ashton Kutcher in The Butterfly Effect and Kristen Stewart in Catch That Kid. Schmidt transitioned to leading roles, starring in Resurrection Mary and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
Having undergone his own personal weight loss at age 17, Schmidt shared what he had learned about fitness and health on his screenwriting and directorial debut project entitled The Alyson Stoner Project.[2] Teaming up with friend and Cheaper by the Dozen co-star Alyson Stoner, the pair produced an instructional musical and fitness hybrid that uses the latest dance moves as a method of exercise. The project was intended to teach children the importance of fitness, nutrition, and making good lifestyle choices.