After graduating from Monte Vista high school in 1998, Cannon scored his television debut on Nickelodeon's All That. Nick briefly attended a local community college in 1999, where he pledged Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity Inc. In 2002, he was featured in his own series The Nick Cannon Show. Later that year, he had his first starring role in Drumline, followed by the 2003 comedy Love Don't Cost a Thing. In 2005, he appeared in Roll Bounce with fellow actor and rapper Bow Wow. That same year, Cannon starred in and executive produced the comedy Underclassman and produced the MTV improv comedy series Wild 'N Out, which he also hosts.In 2006, Cannon lent his voice for the animated feature Monster House, followed by a role in the drama Bobby.

The following year, Cannon created Short Circuitz, a sketch comedy series that also airs on MTV. Most recently, he has appeared in the Direct-to-DVD remake of Day of the Dead and the independent drama American Son.

In addition to television a