Kenton Duty

Jeffrey Kenton Duty (born May 12, 1995) is an American actor, singer, and dancer. He is best known for his recurring role as "young Jacob" on the final season of the ABC primetime drama, Lost, and for his co-starring role as the flamboyant European exchange student, Gunther Hessenheffer on the Disney Channel comedy series, Shake It Up, and Matt Prylek in the anti-bullying movie, Contest.

Early life Duty was born Jeffrey Kenton Duty on May 12, 1995, to Deborah (née Quinlan) and Jeffrey Duty, and raised in Plano, Texas. He has two younger siblings, twin sisters, Jessica and Rebecca, born in 1999. Duty first began studying acting at the age of 9, when his parents suggested he attend a musical theatre workshop to help him feel comfortable in front of an audience for school presentations. It was at the summer workshop that he discovered he had a love for musical theatre, and it was there that he would also meet the casting director who would ask him to audition for his first play, A Christmas Carol. He appeared on-stage again the following year with a principal role in the Denton Community Theatre production of Ragtime. Duty began auditioning for roles in Los Angeles after he was discovered at a showcase performance at the Young Actors Studio in Dallas, Texas by Hollywood talent agent, Cindy Osbrink and she invited him to come to California to audition for pilot season.

In 2007, after several appearances in comedy sketches on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Duty landed his first featured role as Michael in the Lifetime television movie, Christmas in Paradise. The glitzy brother/sister duo of Gunther and Tinka is said to be inspired by Ryan and Sharpay Evans of Disney's High School Musical franchise. While finding some aspects of the show formulaic, People Magazine critic, Tom Gliatto expressed appreciation for the comedic twosome's work on the series, writing: "Shake It Up doesn't shake up the kidcom formula, but it has something more than the usual shiny-sparkly cuteness... The best performances are from Caroline Sunshine and Kenton Duty as an overbearing brother-and-sister act from abroad named Tinka and Gunther. They're like High School Musical's Sharpay split in two and speaking in an unplaceable accent."

On June 4, 2012, it was announced that Duty would no longer be a regular on Shake It Up, but would possibly return in a recurring capacity much like co-star Caroline Sunshine during the first season, though, he did not return at all. Not long after his departure from Shake It Up, Duty began work on the films Contest, Silver Bells and the short, Murphy.

After a brief stint in the musical group Invasion, Duty moved on to developing his solo music career. In May 2013, he released the lyric video for his first single, titled "Teenage Summer Nights".

Personal life In 2010, Duty lived in Los Angeles with his parents and two younger twin sisters. Duty's hobbies include baking, cooking, spending time with his friends, and horseback riding. He also enjoys singing, playing guitar and songwriting. Before beginning work on the TV series Shake It Up!, Duty played guitar and sang in the band KGMC Gigmasters with Braeden Lemasters and fellow Lost co-star Dylan Minnette. Having no dance experience prior to his role on Shake It Up, Duty began taking private lessons in his free time to develop his dance skills. He is also involved with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). FAAN is a non-profit organization that provides information, programs and resources about food allergies and anaphylaxis.

In addition to his charity work, Duty has been an outspoken voice against school bullying. In May 2011, he was named one of Dream Magazines "Top 16 Under 16" and, when asked about the problem of bullying and cyber-bullying, Duty told the magazine - "You know, I have been bullied. It is always an awkward and difficult situation to be in. A couple of things to try when being bullied is to avoid the bully as much as possible, try using humor against the bully, have a sense of confidence... Hold your head up and look everyone in the eyes."

On July 1, 2019, he married his long time girlfriend, director and filmmaker, Mosley Agin. In September 2023, his wife revealed that they had a private wedding ceremony on September 28, 2019, over two months after they legally married.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2009 2:13 Young Russell Forget Me Not Young Chad 2010 Crazy on the Outside Ethan Papadopolous My Name Is Khan Reese Garrick Indian film 2012 Amazing Love: The Story of Hosea Steve Zendaya: Behind the Scenes Himself Documentary 2013 Contest Matt Prylek Silver Bells Jason Dalt 2014 One Direction: Clevver's Ultimate Fan Guide Himself The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Pirate's Code Max 2015 Crowning Jules Kevin 2016 Little Savages Todd A Housekeeper's Revenge Matthew 2017 Crowning Jules Kevin TBA The Nameless Gold Mask A Life Connected Morgan Woodruff

Television

Discography Year Single Album 2011 "Monster Mash"(With Adam Irigoyen and Davis Cleveland) Spooky Buddies Soundtrack 2012 "Roam"(With Caroline Sunshine, Adam Irigoyen and Davis Cleveland) Treasure Buddies Soundtrack "Show Ya How"(With Adam Irigoyen) Shake It Up: Live 2 Dance 2013 "Teenage Summer Nights" 2013 "Breaking the Surface" Contest 2014 "Dare To Love"(With Mandy Rain) Riot

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.2011 Young Artist AwardsOutstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series(shared with Bella Thorne, Zendaya, Davis Cleveland, Roshon Fegan, Adam Irigoyen and Caroline Sunshine)Shake It UpNominated 2012