It feels like just yesterday we were watching a mischievous little girl pull pranks on her brothers in Drake & Josh. Or maybe you remember her as the hyper-organized Summer Hathaway in School of Rock. Because she’s been on our screens since she was literally a toddler, figuring out how old Miranda Cosgrove actually is can feel like a math problem that doesn't quite add up.
Most people still picture her as a teenager. Honestly, it’s a testament to how much she’s stayed in the public eye without the typical "child star" burnout. But the calendar doesn't lie.
The Real Numbers: How Old is Miranda Cosgrove Today?
As of right now in early 2026, Miranda Cosgrove is 32 years old.
She was born on May 14, 1993. When you stop to think about it, she’s basically lived her entire life in front of a camera lens. Most of us were just trying to survive middle school while she was becoming a global icon. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she’s a California girl through and through, which might explain that eternally sunny vibe she carries.
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A Timeline That Makes You Feel Old
If you want to feel a sudden realization of your own mortality, just look at the dates of her biggest hits.
- The Discovery (1996): An agent spotted her singing and dancing at a restaurant called Taste of L.A. when she was just 3 years old. Most of us were still struggling with Velcro shoes at that age.
- School of Rock (2003): When she starred alongside Jack Black, she was 10.
- Drake & Josh (2004-2007): She spent her "tween" years, ages 11 to 14, playing the legendary Megan Parker.
- iCarly (Original Run: 2007-2012): This was her high school era. She started the show at 14 and wrapped the original series at 19.
- The USC Years: After the show ended, she actually took a step back to be a "normal" person, attending the University of Southern California at age 19. She initially studied film but eventually switched to psychology.
Why Does She Still Look 19?
It’s the question everyone asks on Twitter every time she posts a selfie. There’s this weird "time-warp" effect with Miranda Cosgrove. Part of it is her style—she’s always kept things relatively low-key and classic. But mostly, it’s because she hasn't undergone some radical, edgy transformation to "prove" she’s an adult.
She’s been very vocal about how her parents, Tom and Chris, kept her grounded. Her dad owned a dry-cleaning business, and they pushed for her to stay in public school as long as possible. That sense of normalcy probably saved her from the typical Hollywood "aging up" pressure.
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What is She Doing Now in 2026?
She isn't just sitting around reminiscing about Spaghetti Tacos. In late 2025, she dropped a bombshell on The Drew Barrymore Show that sent the internet into a frenzy: an iCarly movie is officially in the works.
Filming is slated to begin in early 2026, which means she's currently back in the Carly Shay headspace at 32. It’s a full-circle moment. After the Paramount+ revival ended on that massive cliffhanger—you know, the one where her mom finally shows up—the fans demanded closure. Miranda, who also serves as an executive producer, has been the driving force behind making sure the story actually gets an ending.
Aside from that, she’s still the voice of Margo in the Despicable Me franchise and hosts Mission Unstoppable on CBS, where she highlights women in STEM. She’s also become a massive advocate for animal fostering. Honestly, her Instagram is about 40% her and 60% foster kittens at this point.
The Wealth Factor: More Than Just a Child Star
Back in 2012, Guinness World Records named her the highest-paid child actress, earning somewhere around $180,000 per episode. If you do the math on that, it’s staggering. While some estimates put her net worth around $10 million today, her real value comes from her transition into producing.
She didn't just show up to the iCarly revival as talent; she was in the writers' room and the production meetings. That’s a move very few former child stars successfully pull off.
Moving Forward
If you’re looking to keep up with what she’s doing next, keep an eye out for the iCarly movie production updates, which should be hitting trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter throughout this year. You can also catch her recent rom-com work like Mother of the Bride on Netflix if you want to see her play someone her actual age for a change.
Check out her social media for updates on her latest foster pets. You might just find your next cat while checking in on her latest project.