Josh Peck Takes Stage at SHU

The former child star discusses career reinvention, social media and finding his voice

Key Highlights

• Josh Peck appeared at Sacred Heart University’s Edgerton Center for a live discussion.  
• Event hosted by the Student Events Team and moderated by student Olivia Yessis ’26. 
• The conversation included direct audience engagement, creating a relatable, campus-focused dialogue that blended personal storytelling with topics relevant to students, such as career uncertainty, identity and navigating evolving industries. 

Actor, comedian, YouTuber and podcaster Josh Peck shared insights on fame, reinvention and resilience during an appearance at Sacred Heart University’s Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts.

Sponsored by the University’s Student Events Team, the event was moderated by political science & global affairs major Olivia Yessis ’26, who guided a conversation spanning Peck’s evolution from child star to multifaceted entertainer.

Best known for his role in Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh, Peck opened the night with a lighthearted moment, inviting a student dressed as his character, Josh Nichols, on stage. The moment set the tone for a discussion that balanced humor with reflection.

Peck described the challenge of moving beyond his early success, noting it was “challenging to close the door on a chapter that has reruns.” Still, he said he has come to appreciate that period of his life and takes pride in representing underrepresented character types on screen.

Beyond acting, Peck has built a strong presence on social media platforms such as Vine, YouTube and Instagram. He emphasized the importance of connecting directly with audiences, explaining that social media allowed him to no longer be “at the mercy of the gatekeepers.”

In recent years, Peck has taken on more dramatic roles, including portraying Kenneth Bainbridge in Oppenheimer and appearing in Amazon Prime’s Cross. He attributed the transition to preparation and persistence, citing weekly acting classes in Los Angeles as key to building confidence and combating imposter syndrome.

Peck also discussed his podcasting journey. Now a co-host of The Good Guys Podcast with Ben Soffer, he reflected on an earlier attempt, Curious with Josh Peck, which ultimately failed. The experience, he said, reinforced the importance of experimentation and the importance of, “having the courage to figure out what doesn’t work to find what does.”

The event concluded with rapid-fire questions, including Peck’s favorite food—sushi—and his pick for a future biopic portrayal—Timothée Chalamet. He also posed his own question to the audience, sparking debate over the best pizza in Connecticut.