Jacob Daniel Burbage was born in Rancocas, New Jersey. He grew up in Delran, living with his mother and father, Allison and John Burbage. At the age of 5, he began acting in various commercials including spots for Kix Cereal and Mr. Potato Head. At the age of 7, he landed a recurring voice role on Dora the Explorer as Benny the Bull. Later that year, he was cast on the pilot of Grounded for Life, which later went on to be picked up by Fox and later by The WB. After the 4th season of GFL, however, Burbage and his family decided to leave Hollywood and move back to New Jersey so that Jake could attend Junior High and receive a normal education.