You remember that kid with the chef’s hat and the slightly confused but totally lovable energy? The one who was always just a bit quirkier than his siblings? If you’re wondering who plays Nicky in Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn, the answer is Aidan Gallagher.
Honestly, it’s wild to look back at the show now. Back then, he was just the youngest of the Harper quadruplets, the "organic" one who loved to cook and somehow ended up in the middle of every sibling disaster. Today? He’s basically everywhere.
The Face Behind Nicky Harper
Aidan Gallagher didn't just stumble into the role of Nicky. He’d already done a bit of work, including a tiny, uncredited spot on Modern Family as a kid named Alec. But Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn was the big break. He landed the role when he was around 10 years old, and for four seasons—from 2014 to 2018—he grew up right in front of us.
Nicky was always the soul of the group. While Ricky was the "smart" one and Dicky was the "cool" one, Nicky was just... Nicky. He had this weirdly impressive physical speed (remember how fast he could run?) and a genuine talent for cooking that felt almost too sophisticated for a Nickelodeon sitcom.
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Why Aidan Gallagher Didn't Just "Disappear"
Most child stars have that awkward phase where they sort of vanish for a decade. Aidan didn't do that. Instead, he made one of the most successful jumps from "kid actor" to "prestige TV star" in recent memory.
Immediately after NRDD wrapped, he traded the chef’s hat for a schoolboy blazer and a whole lot of trauma as Number Five in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. It was a total 180. He went from lighthearted sibling rivalry to playing a 58-year-old time-traveling assassin trapped in a teenager’s body. Critics went nuts for it. The New York Times literally said he "carried the show."
By 2024, when the final season of The Umbrella Academy aired, Aidan had cemented himself as a legitimate actor, not just a "Nick kid."
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Where is he now? (2026 Update)
As we move through 2026, Aidan’s career has branched out into things most actors his age aren't even thinking about. He’s 22 now, and honestly, his resume looks like three different people's lives combined.
1. The Music Career
He’s not just "an actor who sings." Aidan is a legitimate multi-instrumentalist. He’s been releasing independent music for years—tracks like "Blue Neon" and "4th of July" have millions of streams. If you check out platforms like Last.fm or Spotify right now, he’s still pulling in massive numbers as an indie artist. He even does live shows that sell out almost instantly.
2. The Activism
This is the part that usually surprises people. Aidan is one of the youngest-ever UN Environment Goodwill Ambassadors for North America. He didn't just sign a paper, either. He’s been a vegan since 2015 and uses his massive social media platform (which is huge, by the way) to push for real climate action. In 2026, he’s still a major face for UN climate initiatives, often speaking at global summits.
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3. Future Projects
While everyone is waiting to see his next massive film role, Aidan has been selective. He’s moved into a space where he focuses on projects that align with his activism or allow him to flex his musical muscles. There are constant rumors about him moving into directing, given how much he’s shared about the technical side of production on his YouTube channel over the years.
What about the rest of the Harper Quads?
It’s impossible to talk about who plays Nicky without mentioning the rest of the gang. The chemistry between those four was the only reason the show worked for 83 episodes.
- Lizzy Greene (Dawn): She’s had a massive career too, moving into A Million Little Things right after the show ended.
- Casey Simpson (Ricky): He’s stayed active in the industry but also built a huge following as a creator.
- Mace Coronel (Dicky): He actually left the show slightly before it ended to pursue other projects and later starred in That '90s Show as Jay Kelso.
The Legacy of Nicky Harper
Looking back, Nicky was the perfect training ground for Aidan. Playing a kid who was "easily confused" but secretly very capable required a specific kind of comedic timing. It's that same timing—just darkened and sharpened—that made his performance as Number Five so believable.
If you're revisiting the show on streaming, keep an eye on his scenes. You can see the glimpses of the high-level actor he was becoming, even when he was just arguing over who got the last "quad-pendant."
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see what Aidan is up to today, your best bet is his official YouTube channel. He’s remarkably transparent with his fans, posting everything from behind-the-scenes stories about the Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn pilot to live music sessions. You can also track his environmental work through the UNEP (UN Environment Programme) website, where he regularly updates his "Trees with Aidan" initiative.