Drake Bell Confides in Josh Peck About Friendship Fears Following Abuse Allegations
Actor Drake Bell expressed concerns to former Nickelodeon co-star Josh Peck regarding the potential impact of child abuse allegations on their relationship. Bell admitted he worried about their friendship after reporting abuse that occurred during their time on “Drake & Josh.”
Reunion and Reflection on ‘Quiet on Set’
The former child stars reunited for the first time in nearly two decades on Peck’s podcast, “Good Guys.” During the episode, they discussed revelations from the docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” which premiered last year.
The Investigative Discovery series, broadcast in March 2024, featured interviews with numerous actors and former child performers. They detailed accounts of abuse, inappropriate conduct, and a toxic environment prevalent on some Nickelodeon productions.
Bell’s Account of Abuse and Brian Peck’s Arrest
For the first time publicly, Bell addressed his accusations of child sexual abuse against Brian Peck, a Nick dialogue coach (unrelated to Josh Peck). Brian Peck was arrested in 2003 and charged with “lewd acts with a child,” according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement. Authorities stated Peck had molested a minor he worked with over six months.
Brian Peck entered a no contest plea and was convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child aged 14 or 15 and oral copulation with a minor under 16, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records. He received a 16-month prison sentence.
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Bell revealed on the podcast that Brian Peck was present on the set of the “Drake & Josh” pilot during the ongoing investigation.
“My safest and happiest place was on set with you,” Bell told Josh Peck. “But the most difficult aspect was that the perpetrator was there every day.”
Attempts to contact Brian Peck for comment on Monday were unsuccessful.
Concerns Over Show’s Future and Personal Toll
Bell recounted the anxiety he experienced during the “Drake & Josh” pilot filming. He worried the situation would jeopardize the show’s future and feared public exposure of the investigation.
“Would Josh think I destroyed our dream when this came out?” Bell questioned, recalling his stress. “Would we lose our show?” He added, “I was losing hair. I had large scabs on my head.”
“Drake & Josh,” the series featuring them as stepbrothers with contrasting personalities, concluded in 2007. Bell’s identity in Brian Peck’s case remained undisclosed until the docuseries release in the previous year.
Josh Peck mentioned previously reaching out to Bell privately shortly after the release of “Quiet on Set.”
Josh Peck’s Recollection and Support
During their podcast conversation, Josh Peck described recalling Brian Peck’s sudden absence from the set.
He stated he “sensed something occurred” and remembered asking Bell if he still communicated with Brian Peck. Bell had responded, “No, Brian’s a really bad person.”
However, Josh Peck clarified that the docuseries exposed the full extent of his co-star’s ordeal.
“Watching the documentary at 38, as a father and adult, I understood the depth of what you endured,” Josh Peck expressed. “I cannot fathom it.”
He further commented that working as a young actor at that time involved witnessing questionable behaviors on set that “might not be acceptable elsewhere.”
“When encountering tyrannical superiors or inappropriate actions,” he continued, “the perceived norm in Hollywood was that it was simply part of the industry.”
Nickelodeon’s Statement on Allegations
Nickelodeon previously issued a statement addressing the docuseries.
“While we cannot verify or deny claims regarding conduct from past productions decades ago, Nickelodeon’s policy is to investigate all formal complaints as part of our dedication to maintaining a safe and professional workplace environment, free from harassment or any inappropriate behavior,” the spokesperson stated in March 2024. “The well-being and best interests of our employees, casts, crew, and especially all children are our highest concerns. We’ve implemented numerous safeguards over the years to ensure we meet our high standards and the expectations of our audience.”
Drake Bell’s Past Controversy and Current Context
Prior to “Quiet on Set,” Bell faced his own controversy. He received two years of probation for child endangerment following accusations of “grooming” a 12-year-old female victim. He pleaded guilty to felony attempted child endangerment and a misdemeanor for disseminating harmful material to minors.
Following the docuseries release, Bell received a wave of support. However, some fans reportedly harassed his accusers online.
The second part of Bell and Josh Peck’s discussion is scheduled for release on Thursday.