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There is no definitive, measurable ranking of the most successful Nickelodeon stars. One WatchMojo countdown ranks ten alumni by the careers they built beyond the network, putting Ariana Grande first. Its list is an editorial choice, not a comparison based on a disclosed scoring system or consistent career statistics. Here are the ten names in that order, with the distinct kinds of work that make each career notable.
What “successful” means in this list
Actors, singers, comedians, hosts, and voice performers do not share one obvious measure of career success. WatchMojo’s countdown focuses broadly on work outside Nickelodeon, but it does not publish a scoring formula or compare the ten people using consistent figures such as awards, earnings, or audience reach. The order below therefore reflects that outlet’s selection—not an objective all-time ranking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nickelodeon Animated Movies Collection | $5.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Rugrats: The Complete Series | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Nickelodeon Movies Collection | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Nicktoons - Halloween - Tales of Fright | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Hey Arnold!: The Ultimate Collection | $24.96 | Buy on Amazon |
For a more useful comparison, consider how long someone worked beyond Nickelodeon, the range of formats or industries they entered, and independently documented recognition or prominent roles. Those measures still cannot produce a single definitive score, but they make clear why different careers stand out for different reasons.
The ten Nickelodeon alumni, in WatchMojo’s order
1. Miranda Cosgrove: a defining sitcom role and voice work
Cosgrove became closely associated with iCarly, one of Nickelodeon’s defining series, then extended her work into music and film voice acting. WatchMojo points to touring after an EP and her voice role as Margo in the Despicable Me films as examples of work beyond the network.
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2. Melissa Joan Hart: a long-running television career
Hart first became widely known through Clarissa Explains It All. Her career continued across television and film, including the four-season ABC sitcom Melissa & Joey. Her example is less about one move into a new industry than sustained work as a screen actor.
3. Meagan Good: Nickelodeon as one chapter in a broader acting career
Good appeared on Cousin Skeeter, but Nickelodeon was only one part of an acting career that already included other roles. WatchMojo cites her later film and television work as evidence of a path that continued well beyond the children’s network.
Rank #2
- Genre: Family
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 4034
- Rating: NR
- Movie Title: Rugrats: The Complete Series
4. Victoria Justice: acting and music after Victorious
Justice is known for Zoey 101 and Victorious. Paramount’s official Victorious page notes that Justice and the ensemble performed original music on the series. The Los Angeles Times reported that she continued in acting and music after Nickelodeon, including releasing an EP in 2023.
5. Keke Palmer: work across stage, music, and screen
Palmer starred in True Jackson, VP. WatchMojo’s case for her post-Nickelodeon career spans acting, music, and stage work, including her casting in the Broadway production of Cinderella. That range is a different kind of success from a career built mainly around one medium.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors6. Amanda Bynes: film comedy after children’s television
All That and The Amanda Show gave Bynes early television platforms. WatchMojo highlights her later film comedy roles as a move beyond Nickelodeon. The countdown’s comments about a possible return to acting were tied to its publication period and should not be treated as a current career update.
7. Nick Cannon: comedy, recording, and hosting
Cannon appeared on All That before pursuing work as a comedian, recording artist, and television host. WatchMojo notes that he hosted America’s Got Talent from 2009 to 2016, illustrating a move from sketch comedy into a prominent presenting role.
Rank #4
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8. Kenan Thompson: sketch comedy beyond Nickelodeon
Thompson’s early Nickelodeon work included All That and Kenan & Kel. He later joined Saturday Night Live, carrying sketch-comedy experience into a major network series. WatchMojo calls him the show’s longest-serving cast member, but that tenure claim is time-sensitive; this article does not treat it as a verified current record.
9. Emma Roberts: a continuing film and television career
Roberts led the Nickelodeon series Unfabulous before taking roles in films and television. WatchMojo’s examples include Nancy Drew, Scream 4, Nerve, American Horror Story, and Scream Queens. Her career illustrates continuity across both film and television rather than a single breakout format.
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- Genre: Family
- Number of Discs: 18
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 2526
- Rating: PG
10. Ariana Grande: television beginnings, pop music, and major awards
Grande played Cat Valentine on Victorious and later headlined its spin-off, Sam & Cat. Paramount’s series page confirms her role on Victorious and describes original music performed by Justice and the ensemble cast. In a March 2024 profile, the Los Angeles Times reported that Grande’s debut album was released in 2013 and that she had won two Grammy Awards. Her career stands out in this group for its documented transition from children’s television to major music recognition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why this is not a definitive all-time ranking
The countdown’s broad focus is success outside Nickelodeon, but its selection and ordering are not presented as a reproducible measurement. Its framing also has an inconsistency: it discusses excluding Bynes based on her visibility at the time, yet includes her in the final ranked list. The list is best read as one outlet’s snapshot of recognizable alumni, not a complete census of Nickelodeon careers or a current measure of fame.
Official program materials can confirm show and performance details, while dated news coverage can establish career milestones as of publication. Neither establishes that one alumnus is universally more successful than another. The available evidence also does not support a consistent comparison of income, sales, current popularity, or total career awards across all ten.
Quick Recap
How to judge a former star’s adult career
- Look for durability: Did the person continue working after the Nickelodeon role, and across what period?
- Note range: Did the career extend into other formats or industries, such as music, hosting, stage performance, or voice acting?
- Use documented milestones: Recognized awards and prominent credited roles are more meaningful than unsourced net-worth estimates or old social-media follower counts.
- Check dates: A project described as “current” in an older countdown may no longer be current; treat awards and career-status claims as true only as of the source date.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
