Kenton Duty

Kenton Duty began his acting journey at the age of 9 in Dallas, Texas, by appearing as Young Scrooge in the Dallas Theater Center’s stage production of “A Christmas Carol” in 2004. His talent was recognized at a Young Actors Studio workshop in Dallas by Hollywood talent agent Cindy Osbrink, which led him to audition for roles in Los Angeles. Over the years, Duty appeared in various national commercials for prominent brands such as McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, and Mattel. His early television career included comedy sketches on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” starting in 2006 and a role as Michael in the Lifetime television movie “Christmas in Paradise” in 2007. He also made guest appearances on shows like “Cold Case” and had a co-starring role in the web series “Ctrl.”

A significant turning point came in 2010 when Duty gained widespread recognition for his recurring role as Young Jacob in the hit ABC series “Lost.” In the same year, he secured a starring role on the Disney Channel original series “Shake It Up,” portraying the flamboyant dancer and fashion designer Gunther Hessenheffer alongside Caroline Sunshine. His portrayal of Gunther, inspired by the Ryan and Sharpay Evans dynamic from “High School Musical,” resonated with audiences. Following his time on “Shake It Up” through its second season, Duty further diversified his filmography with roles in movies such as “Contest” (2013), where he played Matt Prylek, and “Silver Bells.” Beyond acting, Duty has pursued his interest in music, releasing his first single “Teenage Summer Nights” in 2013.

More recently, Duty has expanded his creative endeavors into directing and writing. His directorial credits include numerous short films such as “Reset” (2024), “Hold ‘Em” (2019), and “The Baby Bandits” (2019). He has also taken on writing responsibilities for several shorts, including “Dark Matters, Private Eyes” (2025), “RadKids!” (2018), and “Reservoir Pups” (2016). In his personal life, he married Mosley Agin in 2019, and he actively supports various charitable causes, including Disney’s Friends for Change, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).