Amanda Laura Bynes (born April 3, 1986) is an American actress, former show host on Nickelodeon, and fashion designer. After appearing in several successful television series on Nickelodeon in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bynes has moved into a film career, starring in several films aimed at teenage audiences, including her latest, She's the Man, and her upcoming role in the remake of the John Waters film Hairspray. She was on the 2007 Forbes list as the 5th highest paid celebrity under 21 earning $2.5 million.

Bynes has been described by The Boston Globe as having an "Everygirl" appeal, embodying "both everything her teen fans dream of being and everything they know they really are, and they love her for it." In 2006, she was named one of Teen People's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25".

Bynes was trained as an actress by Arsenio Hall and Richard Pryor at a comedy camp, and began professionally acting at the age of seven, appearing in a television advertisement for Buncha Crunch candies. During her childhood, she also appeared on stage in versions of Annie, The Secret Garden, The Music Man and The Sound of Music. After taking acting classes, Bynes became a regular cast member of Nickelodeon's Figure It Out and All That (both in 1996) and later became the star of her own hit sketch show The Amanda Show, also on Nickelodeon. The Amanda Show features a combination of comical skits and sketches, including Amanda Bynes playing Judge Trudy, a judge that always rules in kids' favor, and Penelope Taynt, an Amanda-obsessed fan.

Bynes made her film debut in 2002's mild box office success, Big Fat Liar, where she played opposite Frankie Muniz. Her first solo leading role was in 2003's What a Girl Wants, with co-star Oliver James. Subsequently, Bynes starred in the WB Network's sitcom What I Like About You and had voice parts in 2003's Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure and 2005's CGI animated comedy, Robots. She also co-starred in an episode of The Nightmare Room as Danielle Warner, and in Arliss as Crystal Dupree.

Bynes appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair's July 2003 edition with nine of Hollywood's most popular female young stars, including Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, Alexis Bledel, Raven-Symoné, Evan Rachel Wood, the Olsen Twins, and Mandy Moore. Although she is often compared with them, Bynes has commented that "It's like being the hot girl at the high school party. I was never that girl. I grew up with terrible acne and feeling insecure. I was tall and skinny. I didn't feel pretty at all, and guys didn't even like me. That's why I got into comedy." Bynes has also said that her relatability to teenage audiences may stem from the fact that she is "more similar to them than some... socialite or whatever".

Her most recently released film is She's the Man, a comedy based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. In the film, which opened in March 2006, Bynes disguises herself as her brother in order to join the boys' soccer team due to the fall of the girls' team. Producers had originally wanted to cast singer Jesse McCartney as Bynes' brother, noting a physical resemblance between McCartney and Bynes disguised as a boy, but McCartney was unavailable. Around the time of the film's release, Bynes commented that she would like to start appearing in more mature roles, and believes that she is still developing her acting skills and maturing as an actress, saying that she is "getting better" with each role.

Bynes filmed another romantic comedy, Lovewrecked, which was shot before She's the Man but released after it, showing in non-US cinemas in 2005 and 2006 and debuting in the United States on the ABC Family network on January 21, 2007. She also portrays Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, a film adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name. Hairspray began filming in Toronto in September 2006 and will be released on July 20th, 2007.

Bynes has recently completed work on another comedy due for a Fall 2007 release, Sydney White. The comedy is a coming of age story based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Amanda plays the part of a newbie freshman in the college Greek system. She will co-star alongside Sara Paxton and Matt Long. It was filmed in Orlando, Florida at Rollins College, University High School, and the University of Central Florida.

Bynes inked a deal with Steve and Barry's, known for selling university apparel and sweatshirts, to create her own fashion line, Dear, consisting of apparel and accessories, to be launched in stores August 16, 2007.

In May 2007, Amanda Bynes was named one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People as well as being named Number 79 on FHM's 100 Sexiest Woman for 2007.

Bynes turned 21 on April 3, 2007. Asked if she would be hitting the hot spots, Amanda replied, “I think I’ll go out as much as I’ve ever gone out...which is not a lot. I like to dance and stuff, but drinking isn’t good for you in every way. It’s not good for your skin; it makes you feel horrible. So, drinking-wise, no!