Ethan Cutkosky

August 19, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Ethan Francis Cutkosky, known professionally as Ethan Cutkosky, was born on August 19, 1999, in St. Charles, Illinois. A model since age four, he began his acting career at age seven in the Christmas comedy “Fred Claus.” Soon after, he starred in a supernatural horror film “The Unborn,” which helped him land a role that would make him famous: that of Carl Gallagher in the television series “Shameless.”

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Ethan Francis Cutkosky

Nickname:

One-Take Barto

Birth date:

August 19, 1999

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Leo

Height:

5' 5"

Relationship Status:

In a relationship

Net Worth:

$1 million

Background

Ethan Cutkosky was born on August 19, 1999, in St. Charles, Illinois. He is the only child of Yvonne Cabrera Cutkosky, a Mexican teacher, and David Cutkosky, a computer software engineer. He attended Thompson Middle School and St. Charles East High School.

When he was just four years old, his mother started taking him to photo ad sessions in an effort to spend more time with him. After some work as a child model, the seven-year-old Ethan was invited to participate in auditions for films and commercials. In the same year, he secured his first film role as Carl in the Christmas comedy “Fred Claus.” At nine, Cutkosky starred in the supernatural horror film “The Unborn” as Barto. The role opened doors to his breakthrough part in “Shameless.”

In the binge-worthy television series, Cutkosky plays Carl Gallagher, the second youngest Gallagher, a huge troublemaker. It premiered in January 2011 and was considered the longest-running original scripted series in the history of Showtime (a premium T.V. network). The 11th and final season was announced in 2020 and its production ended in 2021. Since then, Cutkosky has focused on other projects, such as those related to music. His single ‘Erase Me’ was released in July of the same year.

Career timeline

2007

His Cinema Debut

After being asked to audition, he lands his first film role as Carl in "Fred Claus."

2009

His First Big Role

He plays Barto, a mythical spirit in the supernatural horror film "The Unborn."

2009

"Shameless"

He is selected to play Carl Gallagher in Showtime’s television series "Shameless."

2018

His Fashion Line

He creates his fashion brand called Khaotic Collective.

2021

The Last Season of "Shameless"

He appears in the 11th and final season of “Shameless.”

2021

His Music Career

He starts producing music and releases his first single, ‘Erase Me.’

Why We Love Ethan Cutkosky

He is a hard worker
To bring a character to life, he would spend much of his time learning how to immerse himself in a role. Filmmakers have observed that he is especially skilled at following directions perfectly while filming.
He is sporty and outdoorsy
He began to study martial arts when he was four. Now he has a second-degree black belt in taekwondo. He’s not interested at all in video games. He prefers outdoor activities that require a lot of energy.
He made time for school
When he was about to enter high school, Ethan wanted to leave his acting career. In an effort to help him continue his studies, the writer of a Showtime drama (where Ethan had a role) simply changed the flow of the story making it appear that the latter was sent off to military training. Fans had to wait for weeks until Ethan’s return to Showtime.

5 Surprising Facts

His soft spot for exotic animals
He has cared for animals such as anoles, geckos, and fire-bellied toads.
He’s a perfectionist
For his insistence on getting scenes done in one take, he earned the nickname "One-Take Barto" on the set of "The Unborn."
He’s very athletic
Cutkosky loves skateboarding and taekwondo.
No to watching "Shameless"
His parents wouldn't permit him to watch “Shameless” until he turned 14.
His injury while shooting "Shameless"
He once fractured the bone of his leg while dancing with a group in a shooting for “Shameless.”