His first acting role was a guest star at the age of 15 on ER, followed later that year by guest-starring roles on Judging Amy, Summerland, and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.
While still in high school, PenaVega appeared in television commercials for the Super Soaker brand recreational water gun, and his image even appeared on the toy's packaging.
PenaVega was studying musical theater at the Boston Conservatory when his manager urged him to audition for Big Time Rush.
Although he was reluctant to do so, he submitted an audition tape and won the role almost two years later.
PenaVega moved to Hollywood in August 2009.

Big Time Rush is an American pop boy band that formed in 2009.
The band consists of PenaVega, Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, and Logan Henderson, all on vocals.
PenaVega co-wrote the song "Oh Yeah" off of the group's first album, BTR.
On the second album, he wrote "Invisible" along with Charley Greenberg, Cody Williams, Daniel Andrew Wayne and J.R. Rotem.
As of 2011, the band has released two albums, BTR and Elevate.
They later released their third album, 24/Seven, in which PenaVega wrote and co-wrote almost every song.
He co-wrote "Picture This" with bandmate, James Maslow.
PenaVega wrote "Lost in Love" for his wife, Alexa PenaVega.
He also wrote the song "Na Na Na" on 24/Seven.
In addition, BTR embarked on the Summer Break Tour, in support of the album.
His first acting role was a guest star at the age of 15 on ER, followed later that year by guest-starring roles on Judging Amy, Summerland, and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. While still in high school, PenaVega appeared in television commercials for the Super Soaker brand recreational water gun, and his image even appeared on the toy's packaging. PenaVega was studying musical theater at the Boston Conservatory when his manager urged him to audition for Big Time Rush. Although he was reluctant to do so, he submitted an audition tape and won the role almost two years later. PenaVega moved to Hollywood in August 2009.
Big Time Rush is an American pop boy band that formed in 2009. The band consists of PenaVega, Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, and Logan Henderson, all on vocals. PenaVega co-wrote the song "Oh Yeah" off of the group's first album, BTR. On the second album, he wrote "Invisible" along with Charley Greenberg, Cody Williams, Daniel Andrew Wayne and J.R. Rotem. As of 2011, the band has released two albums, BTR and Elevate. They later released their third album, 24/Seven, in which PenaVega wrote and co-wrote almost every song. He co-wrote "Picture This" with bandmate, James Maslow. PenaVega wrote "Lost in Love" for his wife, Alexa PenaVega. He also wrote the song "Na Na Na" on 24/Seven. In addition, BTR embarked on the Summer Break Tour, in support of the album.
Carlos PenaVega