Lucas Cruikshank
{{Short description|American YouTuber (born 1993)}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = Lucas Cruikshank
| image = Lucas Cruikshank by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Cruikshank in 2014
| birth_name = Lucas Alan Cruikshank
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|8|29|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Columbus, Nebraska, U.S.
| parents =
| partner = Matthew Fawcus (2013–present)
| other_names =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- YouTuber
- actor
}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| website = {{URL|www.heyitsfred.com/}}
| channel_handle = Lucas
| pseudonym = Fred
| genre =
| subscribers = 3.37 million
| views = 255.8 million
| network =
| associated_acts =
| silver_button = y
| silver_year = 2008
| gold_button = y
| gold_year = 2009
| diamond_button =
| diamond_year =
| stats_update = September 8, 2024
}}
Lucas Alan Cruikshank (born August 29, 1993) is an American YouTuber and actor who created the character Fred Figglehorn and the associated Fred series for his channel on the video-hosting website YouTube in late 2006.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/andrew-keen-on-new-media-kids-with-cameras-lead-the-way-in-giving-web-users-their-daily-fred-878508.html |title=Andrew Keen on New Media: Kids with cameras lead the way in giving web users their daily Fred |work=The Independent |first=Andrew |last=Keen |date=July 28, 2008 |access-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718102519/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/andrew-keen-on-new-media-kids-with-cameras-lead-the-way-in-giving-web-users-their-daily-fred-878508.html |url-status=live }} These videos are centered on Fred Figglehorn, a fictional six-year-old who has a dysfunctional home life and "anger management issues".{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/06/30/1214677897205.html |title=Fast-talking Fred is the toast of YouTube |author=Stephen Hutcheon, with Tom Burton |date=June 20, 2008 |access-date=October 26, 2008 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
Early life
Lucas Alan Cruikshank was born on August 29, 1993,{{cite web |last1=Cruikshank |first1=Lucas |date=March 14, 2013 |title=Draw My Life - Lucas Cruikshank |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-p1xx8kkhA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317081050/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-p1xx8kkhA&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=March 17, 2013 |access-date=October 27, 2014 |via=YouTube |format=Adobe Flash}} and raised in Columbus, Nebraska, where he attended Lakeview High School. He is the son of Molly Jeanne (née Duffy) and Dave Alan Cruikshank.Freeman, Eric. (September 23, 2010) [http://columbustelegram.com/news/local/article_898e1e80-c719-11df-a9ed-001cc4c002e0.html Fred a hit in TV movie] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926104444/http://columbustelegram.com/news/local/article_898e1e80-c719-11df-a9ed-001cc4c002e0.html |date=September 26, 2010 }}. Columbustelegram.com. Retrieved August 20, 2012.[https://archive.today/20130122200951/http://www.feedagg.com/feed/228765/See-todays-new-hot-trend See today's new hot trend]. Feedagg.com (May 23, 2009). Retrieved August 20, 2012. He has five sisters and two brothers.[http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/article_de7c0502-bc6c-5681-a780-f5af1f2311dd.html Columbus' 'Fred' becomes an Internet star : The (402)/411] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520114757/http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/article_de7c0502-bc6c-5681-a780-f5af1f2311dd.html |date=May 20, 2021 }}. Journalstar.com (October 6, 2008). Retrieved August 20, 2012.
Career
= Fred =
{{main|Fred Figglehorn}}
Cruikshank, while testing character ideas, created the Fred character in a Halloween video, and uploaded it to a YouTube channel that he had started with his two cousins. Upon the success of Fred, he started a video series, and set up the Fred channel in April 2008.{{cite web |title=Lucas Cruikshank aka Fred Exclusive Interview: The Partners Project Episode 19 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLJ7CoXZwkM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/pLJ7CoXZwkM| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=December 30, 2011 |author=partnersproject |date=April 21, 2011}}{{cbignore}} By April 2009, the channel had over one million subscribers, making it the first YouTube channel to do so, and was the most-subscribed YouTube channel for a 318-day period from October 2008 to August 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.batchbuzz.com/detailedStoryDefault.php?id=751 |title=BB Suggests: The Best of Web TV |author=Editorial Team |date=November 13, 2008 |access-date=November 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117194346/http://www.batchbuzz.com/detailedStoryDefault.php?id=751 |archive-date=November 17, 2009 }} In December 2009, Cruikshank filmed Fred: The Movie, which aired on Nickelodeon in September 2010. Nickelodeon created a franchise surrounding the character, and began producing the sequel in March 2011.{{cite news |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/fred-the-movie-lands-on-nickelodeon/ |work=The New York Times |title='Fred: The Movie' Lands on Nickelodeon – Media Decoder Blog – The New York Times. |first=Brooks |last=Barnes |date=March 24, 2010 |access-date=June 19, 2010 |archive-date=March 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325005358/http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/fred-the-movie-lands-on-nickelodeon/ |url-status=live }} Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred aired on October 22, 2011, also on Nickelodeon. In 2012, Fred: The Show, consisting of twenty-four 22-minute episodes, and a third movie called Fred 3: Camp Fred aired on Nickelodeon.
= Sponsorship and appearances =
In the Fred series, Cruikshank promotes various products and movies. He is seen using a Zipit,{{cite web |title=Fred Goes Swimming | date=June 19, 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEqwKNNQBwc | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/nEqwKNNQBwc| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}} as well as his own products{{cite web |title=Fred Finds a Creepy Doll | date=October 22, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QURja9e_EnQ | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/QURja9e_EnQ| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}} and T-shirts.{{cite web |title=Fred Faces a Dirty Campaign | date=October 16, 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhOdamcG2v4 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/yhOdamcG2v4| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}} In addition to promoting his own movies and albums, Cruikshank has also promoted the movies City of Ember,{{cite web |title=FRED WANTS TO BE A STAR!! (City of Fred?!) | date=October 4, 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsHrInVlILA | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/VsHrInVlILA| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}} Year One,{{cite web |title=Fred Gets Dissed at Bible School | date=June 4, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-AEH6YVEHs | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/P-AEH6YVEHs| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}} and Adventures of Power,{{cite web |title=Lucas Gets Kidnapped! | date=October 27, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB2OEKn7i-Y | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/iB2OEKn7i-Y| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}} and the artist Kev Blaze, by featuring in his song "Watch How I Do This".{{cite web |title=Kev Blaze feat. FRED – "Watch How I Do This (remix)" | date=October 30, 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zc7Wt4WBEE | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/6Zc7Wt4WBEE| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=January 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}}
He made a guest appearance as both "Fred" and himself on Nickelodeon's iCarly in "iMeet Fred", which first aired on February 16, 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc20081118_508970.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218093417/http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc20081118_508970.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2008 |title='Fred' Cranks Up the YouTube Views and Ad Dollars |last=Albrecht |first=Chris |date=November 18, 2008 |work=Business Week |access-date=July 7, 2009}}
Cruikshank appeared in the Hannah Montana episode "Come Fail Away", which aired December 6, 2009.{{cite web |title=Come Fail Away |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1540545/ |publisher=IMDb |access-date=December 30, 2011 |year=2009}} He appeared at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards as well as the 2010 Kids' Choice Awards presenting awards to winners off-stage. In 2011, he appeared on the Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards and in an episode of Supah Ninjas. In 2012 and 2013 he starred as the lead in the Nickelodeon television show Marvin Marvin, as an alien "teenage" boy adjusting to human life.
= Other YouTube work =
Cruikshank was originally a part of JKL Productions, a group comprising twins Jon and Katie Smet and Lucas Cruikshank, their cousin. Cruikshank formally left the group and deleted his individual videos. In January 2009 he set up his own channel, called "lucas", in which he appeared as himself. Between 2013 and 2014, Cruikshank partnered with Jennifer Veal to produce a series of videos on the channel, which was renamed "Lucas and Jenny," adding to the duo's popularity. After Jenny left the channel in November 2014,{{Citation|title=LUCAS & JENNY BREAKUP // Lucas & Jenny|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKXD1y8UG9U|language=en|access-date=April 15, 2020}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.j-14.com/posts/jennifer-veal-leaves-lucas-cruikshank-for-her-own-youtube-channel-45563/|title=Jennifer Veal Leaves Lucas Cruikshank For Her Own YouTube Channel|date=November 7, 2014|website=J-14|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2020}} Cruikshank reverted the channel name back to "lucas" and continued to release vlogs. In April 2019, Cruikshank's channel name was changed to "Lucas", and currently sees over 3 million subscribers as of 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/lucas/about|title=Lucas|via=YouTube|access-date=June 19, 2018}}
Cruikshank made an appearance on Brandon Rogers' Four Million Subscriber Freakout video after the latter gained four million subscribers as of June 2018.{{cite web|title=Four Million Subscriber Freakout|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EovG1QzAL2k| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/EovG1QzAL2k| archive-date=November 18, 2021 | url-status=live|publisher=Brandon Rogers|access-date=June 15, 2018|date=June 10, 2018}}{{cbignore}}
Personal life
Cruikshank came out publicly as gay in a YouTube video released August 20, 2013, saying, "I'm gay. I feel so weird saying it on camera. But my family and friends have known for like three years.
I just haven't felt the need to announce it on the Internet."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7UWcrDdKWs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/-7UWcrDdKWs| archive-date=2021-11-18 | url-status=live|title=ARE YOU GAY?!?|last=Cruikshank|first=Lucas| date=August 20, 2013|via=YouTube|access-date=August 20, 2013}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/lucas-cruikshank-star-nickelodeon-fred-gay-article-1.1432098|title=Lucas Cruikshank, star of Nickelodeon's 'Fred,' comes out as gay|last=Eby|first=Margaret|date=August 20, 2013|work=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=August 20, 2013|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605092609/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/lucas-cruikshank-star-nickelodeon-fred-gay-article-1.1432098|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=De Hoyos|first=Brandon|url=http://news92fm.com/376774/lucas-cruikshank-gay|title=Lucas Cruikshank, 'Fred' Actor, Comes Out as Gay Man|date=August 20, 2013|newspaper=News 92 FM|access-date=August 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009064012/http://news92fm.com/376774/lucas-cruikshank-gay|archive-date=2014-10-09}} Cruikshank met his current boyfriend, Australian model Matthew Fawcus, "from afar" at a gay club, and the two were introduced by fellow YouTuber Kingsley. The pair have been dating since March 18, 2013.{{cite news|url=http://superfame.com/post/lucas-cruikshank-officially-confirms-hes-dating-boyfriend-matthew-fawcus/|title=Lucas Cruikshank Officially Confirms He's Dating Boyfriend Matthew Fawcus - Superfame|date=January 14, 2015|work=Superfame|access-date=March 4, 2017}}
Filmography
=Internet=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| 2006–2014, 2020–2021
| Fred | |
| 2010
| Fred Figglehorn | Episode: "Fred" |
| 2012–2018
| Himself | 13 episodes |
| 2013
| The Flipside | Henry | Episode: "Me, Myself and My Conscience" |
| {{TBA}}
| Shrek 2 Retold | | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| 2009
| Fred Figglehorn | Episode: "iMeet Fred" |
| 2009
| Kyle McIntyre | Episode: "Come Fail Away"{{cite web |title=Fred Figglehorn: The pop-culture sensation you've never heard of |url=https://theweek.com/articles/490895/fred-figglehorn-popculture-sensation-youve-never-heard |website=The Week|date=September 22, 2010 }} |
| 2010
| Fred Figglehorn / Derf Nrohelggif | Television film |
| 2011
| Spencer / Kickbutt | Episode: "Kickbutt"{{cite web |title=Lucas Cruikshank 'Fred' Guest Stars On 'Supah Ninjas' – New Clip | date=September 8, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7uU8DlK860 |via=YouTube}} |
| 2011
| Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred | Fred Figglehorn / Derf Nrohelggif / Judy | Television film |
| 2012
| Fred Figglehorn |
| 2012–2013
| Marvin Forman |
| 2012
| Fred Figglehorn | Television film |
| 2013
| Himself |
| 2013
| Smarty | Voice; Episode: "Screaming Your Calls" |
Discography
=Comedy albums=
=Singles=
=Other appearances=
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Category ! Award ! Result |
|---|
| 2009
|Favorite User Generated Video |{{nom}} |
| 2009
|Choice Web Star |{{won}} |
| 2010
|Choice Web Star |{{nom}} |
| 2010
|Iconic Web Star |J-14 Teen Icon Awards{{cite web |title=Vote for J-14's Teen Icon Awards! |url=http://www.j-14.com/2010/09/introducing-j-14s-teen-icon-awards-official-nominations.html |publisher=J-14 |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=February 25, 2011 |archive-date=December 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228003248/http://www.j-14.com/2010/09/introducing-j-14s-teen-icon-awards-official-nominations.html |url-status=dead }} |{{nom}} |
| 2013
|Favorite TV Actor |{{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|2928381|Lucas Cruikshank}}
- {{YouTube|user=lucas|Lucas}}
- {{YouTube|user=fred|Fred}}
{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|ach}}
{{Succession box
| title = Most Subscribed Channel on YouTube
| years = 2008–2009
| before = nigahiga
| after = nigahiga
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Fred (film series)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruikshank, Lucas}}
Category:21st-century American comedians
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American LGBTQ comedians
Category:American male bloggers
Category:American male child actors
Category:American male comedians
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male web series actors
Category:American YouTube vloggers
Category:Comedians from Nebraska
Category:LGBTQ people from Nebraska
Category:Male actors from Nebraska
Category:Number-one YouTube channels in subscribers