Bynes began her career in theater at a very young age. She was part of a live comedy show at the Laugh Factory in California when she was discovered at age 11. Bynes rose to popularity in the mid-1990s on Nickelodeon's All That. She was then awarded her own show, The Amanda Show, which aired on Nickelodeon from 1999 to 2002. She starred in the films Big Fat Liar, What a Girl Wants and She's the Man. Bynes is also known for appearing opposite Jennie Garth in the sitcom What I Like About You.