Carlos Pena, Jr. /

Carlos Roberto Pena, Jr. (born August 15, 1989) is an American actor, dancer and singer. He is best known for starring on the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush as Carlos García. Pena was born in Columbia, Missouri. He was raised in Weston, Florida. He attended Sagemont Upper School. 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. He appeared in local productions of Grease and Man of La Mancha. 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. During his run in Titanic he fell in love with singing and dancing. 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. Pena was studying musical theater at the Boston Conservatory when his manager urged him to audition for Big Time Rush. Although he was reluctant to do so, he submitted an audition tape and won the role a month later. Pena moved to Hollywood in August 2009. Big Time Rush is an