Brandon Mychal Smith can act, sing, rap and even skate! You may know him as Nico Harris from Sonny with a Chance and So Random, or from last year’s Skating With the Stars. Find out how he got his start in this bio!
Brandon has known since he was little that performing is his passion!
First Swing
Los Angeles native Brandon Mychal Smith has known since he was eight years old that he was destined to perform. He landed his first gig in a Nike commercial alongside champion golfer Tiger Woods, and since then there has been no turning back! He knew he wanted to act for life, even choosing to be home-schooled so he could pursue his career. He was acclaimed for his role as Young Simba in a live production of The Lion King at the Pantages theater, proving that acting really was his calling.
Brandon landed the role of Nico Harris on Sonny With a Chance after doing episodes of all kinds of shows
Unfabulous to Phil of the Future
In 2004 Brandon landed the comedic role of Mario on Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous, and after that there was no stopping him. He appeared on an episode of the dramatic cop show The Shield, and another spot on the sitcom That’s So Raven until landing an ongoing role on Phil of the Future as Lil’ Danny Dawkins. Brandon was able to play anything from funny to sad, just a glimpse of what was to come and how multi-talented he could really be.
Brandon is known on set for his kindness and charm, ask anyone!
The Ron Clark Story
Even after having a great run on Phil of the Future, Brandon continued to grow as an actor by appearing on different popular shows like Without a Trace, Bones, Gridiron Gang, Lucky Louie and the The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. But Brandon got his big break when he was cast as one the leads, Tayshawn, in the feel-good TV movie The Ron Clark Story with Matthew Perry. Based on the real-life story of a small town teacher moving to NYC and dedicating himself to underprivileged kids, Brandon’s performance as kid with no chances pulled on everyone’s heartstrings and Brandon won the 2007 Family Television Award and Young Artist Award.
Look at this clip of Brandon and Sterling Knight singing Party Up! from Starstruck!
Sonny, So Random, Starstruck and Skating!
By now casting agents couldn’t help but notice Brandon’s incredible acting abilities. He got the part of Nico Harris in Sonny With a Chance and got to act alongside other kids with talent like Demi Lovato (who played Sonny). The show follows Sonny as she joins a comedy show called So Random! But Brandon didn’t just sit back once he got his part on Sonny With a Chance. He got a major character role in the Disney Channel Original Movie Starstruck as Stubby (Albert J. Stubbins) alongside another teen actor, Sterling Knight, who plays the lead as a teen pop star who’s on top of the world. He also signed on for episodes on the drama The Forgotten. But Brandon still had more to show his fans, so he joined as a competitor on Skating With The Stars! Brandon was standout on the ice with his partner Keauna McLaughlin, but sadly had to back out early due to sickness.
Brandon and his partner Keauna were magic on ice in Skating With The Stars
Related Stories
- Brandon Mychal Smith: the "So Random" Interview
- Sonny With A Chance: So Random::DS Game Review
- Sonny With A Chance: Sonny's Big Break DVD Review
