Carlos Roberto Pena, Jr. (born August 15, 1989)[2] is an American actor, dancer and singer. He is best known for starring on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush as Carlos Garcia.
Pena was born in Columbia, Missouri.[1][3] He was raised in Weston, Florida.[2][4] He attended Sagemont Upper School.[1] His first major role was a guest shot at age 15 on ER, followed later that year by guest-starring roles on Judging Amy, Summerland, and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.[3][4][5][6] He appeared in local productions of Grease and Man of La Mancha.[1] He also had a role in the American Heritage School, where he attended before leaving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, production of Titanic.[4][6] During his run in Titanic he fell in love with singing and dancing.[4] While still in high school, Pena appeared in television commercials for the Super Soaker brand recreational water gun, and his image even appeared on the toy's packaging.[2]
Pena was studying musical theater at the Boston Conservatory when his manager urged him to audition for Big Time Rush.[2] Although he was reluctant to do so, he submitted an audition tape and won the role a month later.[2] Pena moved to Hollywood in August 2009.