Drake Bell found a way to stand on his own two feet at the end of his child star days
Reminiscing about his post-“Drake & Josh” days, the actor, who was once a regular on Nickelodeon, admitted that transitioning wasn’t always smooth sailing.
In a recent interview with People (March 14), Drake expressed that life throws us into the world without giving instructions, saying, “You’re essentially left among the wolves, expected to choose the correct path and act wisely, all on your own, without any direction.
In addition, the 38-year-old elaborated on the shared responsibility they felt with their costar Josh Peck to serve as positive influences and role models for their audience.
It was all those everyday responsibilities that were piling up, leaving me overwhelmed,” I admitted. “Suddenly, I found myself questioning the basics: Should I buy fabric softener? Where does it go in the washing machine? It seemed like there was an endless list of things to understand – taxes, bank accounts, car loans, insurance policies, mortgage payments, and rents. Honestly, I feel like I’m floundering amidst it all!
Following the conclusion of the show, Drake, who featured in the candid March 2024 documentary series titled “Quiet On Set“, which exposed the unhealthy working conditions prevalent on numerous Nickelodeon productions, managed to navigate his way through his musical endeavors.
As a connoisseur of life’s artistic pursuits, I must say that acting, while captivating, doesn’t always afford me the freedom to create on a whim. In contrast, music offers an unparalleled liberty: at any given moment, I can step into the studio, lay down a track, and craft a record – it’s this spontaneity that truly stirs my soul.
The former star of the “Amanda Show” (who has a 3-year-old son, Jeremy Drake, with ex-partner Janet Von Schmeling) is not the only one who appreciates his music. In fact, it was mentioned that his parents from the show “Drake & Josh”, Jonathan Goldstein and Nancy Sullivan, attended one of his concerts in December.
Regarding the rest of the cast members from the show, such as Miranda Cosgrove, Jerry Trainor, and Yvette Nicole Brown, are they equally close to him? Drake mentioned that he keeps in touch with everyone.
He mentioned that he frequently communicates with his makeup artist, someone he’s worked with for 20 years. Recently, I had a chat with Lane Napper, our substitute, who resides in New York. Just the other day, I exchanged texts with Yvette. It feels like we’re all close and having a blast. We’re more like a family.
After wrapping up the hit show “Drake & Josh”, Drake didn’t immediately find smooth sailing. Delve into their insights, among others, as shared in the “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” docuseries to uncover more about his experiences and others’.
In an interview with ID, Drake Bell revealed something he had only discussed elsewhere in the context of therapy – namely, that Brian Peck had abused him sexually.
The show depicts the severity of the accusations against Peck, a dialogue and acting coach who’s also known for roles like “Pickle Guy” on All That, by using visuals from the formal charges, as the actor from Drake & Josh opted to avoid discussing it directly on camera.
As I reflect on my experiences, I must admit they were extensive and at times, extremely harsh. When asked by a trusted confidant (one who listens but remains unseen) to disclose only what I was comfortable with, I responded bluntly. Essentially, consider any act of sexual violation as the epitome of abuse, and that should provide clarity. Honestly, I’m at a loss for other words to explain it more succinctly.
63-year-old Peck was taken into custody in August 2003, eventually receiving a 16-month prison sentence in October 2004 following a no contest plea for two counts: one for indecent acts towards a child aged 14 or 15 by someone older by a decade, and another for performing oral sex on a minor under the age of 16. As per court records examined by TopMob News, he was also mandated to register as a sex offender.
1. TopMob News attempted to get a response from Peck regarding the matter, but there was no reply.
2. In an official statement shared with NBC News, Nickelodeon expressed disappointment and sadness upon learning that Drake Bell had been the plaintiff in the 2004 case, acknowledging the trauma he experienced, and praised his courage for speaking out.
Bell portrayed Peck intentionally creating a rift between him and his manager father, Joe Bell (who is also featured in the ID series and corroborates his son’s story), to spend more time with the teenager who had a recurring role on The Amanda Show before he landed his own sitcom, Drake & Josh, in 2004.
In Peck’s care, Bell mentioned, he would escort him to auditions and later let him stay over, claiming it was too late to travel back home. One night, as Bell narrated, he found himself awake on the couch (where he usually slept), with Peck in the act of sexually assaulting him.
Bell expressed that they were taken aback, utterly stunned, and didn’t know how to respond or act in the moment, and they also felt unsure about how to escape from the predicament.
Despite Peck expressing regret, the mistreatment continued and he didn’t inform anyone, not even when the girlfriend’s mother suspected something was amiss and sought help from a counselor. He felt that speaking up could have ended his career.
In time, he broke down and confessed everything to his mother, who then contacted the police immediately. According to Bell, detectives made him provide a comprehensive account of the abuse and instructed him to call Peck to elicit a confession while they listened on. As Bell stated, Peck began a complete confession right away, leading to his arrest on August 20, 2003.
In the book “Quiet on Set“, Bell mentioned that Dan Schneider, the creator and executive producer of both “The Amanda Show” and “Drake & Josh“, promptly inquired if he required assistance and generally stood by him after Peck’s arrest.
If not, he didn’t receive much communication from his coworkers, possibly because the matter was delicate, as Bell speculated. The only individual I recall providing support was Dan. Regrettably, there was no therapy available to me, and I was left to manage on my own…which at that stage in life might not have been ideal.
For a significant period, the documents related to Bell’s case remained closed off. However, upon their reopening, various curious individuals gained access to view the 41 letters of backing submitted on Peck’s behalf prior to his sentencing in 2004.
The files connected to Bell’s trial were locked away for numerous years. Yet when they were made accessible again, interested parties could scrutinize the 41 letters written in support of Peck, which were filed before his conviction in 2004.
According to journalist Kate Taylor from Business Insider, neither Nickelodeon nor Schneider personally wrote a letter, as reported in Taylor’s 2022 investigative piece that detailed misconduct allegations against Schneider. Instead, the ID series co-director Mary Robertson expressed admiration for Taylor’s work by penning what could be considered a “love letter” to her and proposing collaboration to further develop Taylor’s already outstanding reporting, as stated in an interview with Vanity Fair.
In the group of people who penned letters, we have: James Marsden, Taran Killam from Saturday Night Live, Will Friedle and Rider Strong from Boy Meets World, as well as Alan Thicke and Joanna Kerns, who were both part of Growing Pains.
Marsden stated in the series, as his letter was quoted, that he had known Peck for 14 years and described what Brian went through in the past year as the hardship of a hundred men. Killam, who was on The Amanda Show and Drake & Josh, wrote in the series about Peck, “I am certain that he regrets any mistakes made.
2016 saw the passing of Thicke. Our team at TopMob News has attempted to get a statement from Marsden, Killam, Friedle, Strong, and Kerns, but we have yet to receive any response.
However, as Taylor pointed out in the ID series, it’s plausible that none of the letter writers were aware of the full details of the accusations against Peck when they penned their correspondence.
In the publication titled “Quiet on Set“, Kerns stated that she now realizes her letter contained incorrect information in its entirety. Given my current understanding, I wouldn’t have penned the letter under these circumstances.
Strong and Friedle have admitted feeling remorse for supporting Peck, who featured in several episodes of ‘Boy Meets World’ back in 1999. They clarified during a February episode of ‘Pod Meets World’, which they co-host with Danielle Fishel, that they were unaware of the full story at the time.
Strong stated that he didn’t suggest nothing had transpired in the case. Instead, by the time they learned about it, their understanding was always framed as follows: “He admitted to the act, acknowledged guilt, but claimed he was a victim due to being attracted to a minor and this person being underage. We accepted this narrative.
Friedle commented, “We found ourselves in that courtroom on the opposite end of every issue. The victim’s mother glanced at us and said, ‘See all these renowned individuals you’ve brought with you. Yet, it doesn’t alter what you did to my child.’ I felt like I wanted to disappear. It was as if to say, ‘What on earth am I doing here?’ The entire situation was dreadful from every angle.
In episode 5 titled “Breaking the Silence,” Bell expressed gratitude towards Friedle and Strong’s viewpoints, but their perspectives did not impact the emotion he felt when he attended Brian Peck’s sentencing in 2004 and saw his abuser surrounded by supporters in court.
According to Bell, none of the individuals who penned letters in support of Peck had contacted him, even those who were part of the cast from “Boy Meets World.
In 2013 and 2016, Friedle lent his voice to Deadpool in several episodes of the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, with Bell portraying Peter Parker. However, they never discussed their collaboration publicly, as the actor revealed later on.
However, Bell noted, “Discussing this topic can be challenging, particularly within a professional setting. The challenge lies in the fact that everyone handles trauma uniquely and reaches different understandings at varying points in life… I value their viewpoint today, but that incident remains deeply etched in my memory.
TopMob News has reached out to Friedle for comment.
In “Quiet on Set”, alum Kyle Sullivan reminisced about everyone from the show gathering at Peck’s house for a barbecue. This actor and dialogue coach, who had previously worked on “The Amanda Show” and Amanda Bynes’ subsequent sitcom “What I Like About You”, had a room brimming with vintage toys and comic books, according to Sullivan, and a garage filled with memorabilia dedicated to the “Planet of the Apes”.
Sullivan remembered that Peck was leading him around when he pointed out a painting of a clown, which had been created by John Wayne Gacy – a notorious serial killer known for murdering at least 33 boys and young men (as per official reports of his crimes). Gacy was executed in 1994. Notably, Peck kept a collection of letters supposedly from Gacy, prominently displayed on his nightstand close to his bed, as Sullivan noted.
TopMob News attempted to contact Peck concerning the claimed Gacy fandom in the series, yet we haven’t received a response.
For the initial time in episode 5, alum Shane Lyons openly expressed that there were undeniably instances where Peck may have made advances towards him, which he hadn’t recognized initially, during his conversation with host Soledad O’Brien.
In his role as a supporting character in the show from 2002 to 2004, Lyons recalled an instance where he was asked about blue balls, thinking they were racket balls at the time. Reflecting on his past ignorance of the term, the ex-actor mused, “If I were to reflect now as a 36-year-old, would I have a conversation with a 13-year-old boy like that? Absolutely not. It didn’t make any sense at all.
Primarily, he felt thankful that nothing worse transpired for him, and he commended Bell for sharing his experiences.
OR
Generally speaking, he was relieved nothing worse occurred to him, and he praised Bell for narrating his tale.
TopMob News has reached out to Peck but has not yet heard back.
Previous actors from Schneider’s productions discussed in “Quiet on Set” about feeling awkward, either during the time or later on reflection, regarding certain costumes they were asked to wear and crude jokes that might have been debatable in taste but were broadcast for Nickelodeon audiences.
Speaking of Leon Frierson, he reminisced about his time on All That from 1997 to 2000 where he played the role of “Nose Boy,” a superhero. To bring this character to life, he had to wear flesh-toned leggings and underwear with accessories that resembled a phallic symbol on his shoulders. In one skit, Nose Boy would sneeze and accidentally splatter snot onto a female character’s face.
It’s worth noting that a recurring joke involving sticky substances being thrown at characters, specifically girls, was seen in several of Schneider’s productions, such as Zoey 101. This observation was made by Alexa Nikolas, who co-starred with Jamie Lynn Spears on the show, as pointed out in the ID series. Previously, Jennette McCurdy from iCarly and other former Nickelodeon actors have spoken out about the network’s lack of protection for young talent.
In the series, Frierson stated that the situation was awkward. However, he mentioned nobody considered voicing their discomfort to Schneider. According to him, aged 37 now, maintaining Schneider’s favor was crucial. He was the writer-producer for All That, and it was clear who held his good graces.
A representative for Schneider informed TopMob News, “All content shown on the programs Dan oversaw was thoroughly reviewed and approved by numerous adults within the network. If there were any instances where viewers, now many years later, perceived as ‘sexual,’ they would have been removed; however, this is not the case, as these scenes continue to be aired globally today, appreciated by both children and parents.
The representative emphasized that all stories, dialogue, costumes, and makeup were thoroughly vetted by network executives on both coasts. Every script was read and approved by a standards and practices group, while each episode received final approval from programming executives. Furthermore, there was always a presence of parents, caregivers, and their companions watching filming and rehearsals on every set. Any inappropriate scenes or outfits would have been flagged and prevented due to the multiple layers of scrutiny in place.
Regrettably, sometimes adults mistakenly interpret children’s programs based on their own adult perspectives, leading to incorrect assumptions.
Katrina Johnson, who was a part of “All That” from 1994 to 1997 and has not acted significantly post the 2000s, discussed her experiences on the sketch show that continue to bother her at age 41.
In a phone call to their home one day, the producers expressed their concern about Katrina’s weight and said, “Katrina is becoming too heavy for our standards. We already have another heavy actress, she can’t be the heavy one,” as stated in her book, Quiet on Set. Although her parents defended her, she noted that the comment left a lasting impression. To this day, she can still hear the words, “You can’t be the fat one,” echoing in her mind.
Shortly thereafter, Johnson explained that she entered puberty, causing her to no longer appear childlike. Consequently, she was eventually overshadowed by a younger counterpart of herself.
Regarding the various recollections in the ID series, Nickelodeon told NBC News in a statement:
Regarding past allegations about workplace behavior from long ago, Nickelodeon takes every formal complaint seriously as part of our ongoing commitment to creating a secure and professional environment. We prioritize the well-being and best interests not only of our employees, casts, and crew but also of all children. To uphold these values and meet audience expectations, we’ve implemented various protective measures throughout the years.
Bryan Christopher Hearne, who appeared in seasons seven and eight of All That, was assigned to portray the youngest rapper ever, “Lil Fetus,” a character needing a form-fitting bodysuit. In the ID documentary, he recalled hearing someone on set suggest that his skin tone should resemble charcoal.
He got tearful when he saw the crack, he remembered later, but by that point, he was too scared to inform his mother, Tracey Browne, who had earned a reputation on set for immediately defending her son. However, as both Browne and Hearne mentioned in the docuseries, such actions were not appreciated.
Browne admitted to embracing an unusual persona,” she stated. Simultaneously, she pointed out that it was not lost on her when her son’s roles leaned towards Black stereotypes. For instance, she mentioned, Hearne portraying a child peddling Girl Scout-like cookies in a manner reminiscent of drug dealing.
Kyle Sullivan, despite expressing that Dan Schneider seemed overly fond of slime-related humor, stated in “Quiet on Set” that he generally maintained a positive interaction with Dan.
According to Hearne, Schneider seemed to have a more amicable bond with certain other white children. He attributes his approach and ongoing handling of racial matters to his experiences during his tenure at Nickelodeon.
A representative for Schneider contested this description, pointing out the creator’s extensive history of showcasing Black actors in his television productions, including his later projects with famous comedians Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell who rose to fame on “All That”.
According to “Quiet on Set,” it wasn’t only teenagers who remembered working in a harmful environment on these Schneider-led productions.
Jenny Kilgen mentioned during the ID series that when she and Christy Stratton were employed as writers on ‘The Amanda Show’ in 1999, they were instructed to share a salary, meaning the sum of their individual salaries equaled what one writer at their level was expected to earn.
Reflecting on those times, I found myself eager for opportunities and unwilling to risk rocking the boat by voicing complaints. Additionally, I chose not to challenge Schneider when he suggested calling me and Stratton “the girls,” rather than using our names.
Additionally, both individuals stated that Schneider often expressed the viewpoint that women aren’t humorous, and he frequently played pranks that were disrespectful or belittling towards women.
At a different time, when Schneider designed the character “Penelope Taynt” for Bynes on The Amanda Show, Stratton and Kilgen recalled that he asked them to conceal from network executives that the name was a deliberate double entendre. They remained silent out of apprehension of his anger.
When Kilgen discovered that her shared income violated union regulations, she notified the Writers Guild of America about it. Kilgen also mentioned that Schneider had phoned her at home and threatened that if she was indeed the one who made the report, she would never be employed by Nickelodeon or any other company owned by Viacom again.
In a statement, Dan Schneider refutes Jenny’s allegations, asserting that he had no authority in determining the pay rates.
As a devoted follower, I’d like to clarify a point that I heard from Schneider. He emphasized this to TopMob News, stating that while he was involved in producing “The Amanda Show,” it was actually Tollin/Robbins who took the lead on production. However, even for shows he created, his salary, much like many others, was managed by both the network and the Writers Guild of America.
Regarding Schneider’s past actions, it’s unfortunate that writers’ rooms were sometimes inappropriate environments, particularly two decades ago, as the spokesperson explained. However, Dan expresses deep regret for his part in creating such an atmosphere and has since undergone significant personal growth. His behavior was clearly unacceptable and would never be tolerated in a professional setting again.
Bell recounted in the show that he vividly remembers the hurtful incidents, yet everything else seems hazy. It’s disappointing because he had a rich life filled with wonderful experiences and achievements, but those positive aspects were overshadowed and tainted by his inner struggles.
The actor, who has a son with his separated wife Janet Von Schmeling (they parted ways in 2022), admitted guilt in 2021 for one count each of attempted child endangerment and sharing harmful content with a minor through text messages. He was given community service and probation as punishment.
In a video shared online, Bell clarified that he had sent inappropriate and careless messages to someone he believed was an adult fan. However, when he discovered the person was underage, he immediately ended communication. He emphasized that there were no explicit images or physical contact between him and this individual.
His adolescent journey shaped a path of self-damage and intense self-dislike, according to Bell’s statement in the series. He would often resort to excessive drinking, drug abuse, and any other means possible just to flee from reality. Regarding his 2021 arrest, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, complied with the necessary actions, but the media spread a lot of false information which wreaked havoc in his life, causing him to lose control.
In April 2023, he was reported missing in Daytona Beach, Florida, but he reappeared the following day and played it down with a laugh. He tweeted at the time, “You forget your phone in the car and don’t respond for the night and this is what happens?” Previously that year, there were reports that he had sought outpatient care for substance abuse issues.
In the series, the artist on Ready Steady Go! expressed that persisting along that route could potentially have led to his demise.
He had reached his lowest point, he explained, so he sought help by entering a treatment center. It was there that he experienced grief and trauma therapy for the first time, surrounded by individuals who genuinely hoped for his recovery – something he hadn’t felt in a long while.
Dan Schneider’s tenure with Nickelodeon concluded in 2018, when the channel axed his show “Game Shakers” after three seasons, whereas “Henry Danger” persisted for a fifth. In a congratulatory joint statement acknowledging his series of enduring, pioneering successes, the network expressed gratitude towards Schneider and his team at Schneider’s Bakery for their priceless contributions to Nickelodeon. Meanwhile, Schneider reciprocated by stating that he would forever remain avid supporters of the network.
However, reports soon emerged that his dismissal was due to numerous complaints about the popular content creator’s behavior during the #MeToo movement. (According to four sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the New York Times in 2021, an internal probe found Schneider to be verbally abusive but no proof of sexual misconduct was discovered.)
In a statement given to Quiet on Set, he expressed that the explanation provided earlier regarding his separation from Nickelodeon was not entirely accurate. Yet, he acknowledged that if given the chance today, there are certain aspects of his leadership style he would approach differently. He has gained valuable insights over time about becoming a more effective leader.
Responding to the first airing of “Quiet on Set“, Schneider subsequently held an interview with actor BooG!e from “iCarly“. During this discussion, he expressed regret for any inappropriate or thoughtless actions, but firmly refuted claims of racial bias or exploitation of minors by sexualizing them on his productions.
Hearne, along with his former All That colleague Giovannie Samuels, couldn’t hide their amusement when O’Brien mentioned Schneider’s apology. (or) Hearne and fellow All That alum Giovannie Samuels chuckled openly at the mention of Schneider’s apology by O’Brien.
In a nutshell, Hearne found the interview entertaining overall. To put it plainly, Dan had acted before, so it seemed to him that Dan dusted off some old skills and delivered an enjoyable act. He wonders where all the apologies were when Jennette McCurdy’s book was released.
In her shocking 2022 autobiography titled “I’m Glad My Mom Died“, McCurdy opened up about various aspects of her life, including the pressure she felt to wear a bikini on iCarly and the attempts by someone she merely called “The Creator” to persuade her to drink alcohol.
Hearne further stated, “Can an apology be genuine without also accepting responsibility? In essence, is your program essentially just a series of inappropriate jokes, stripped down to their core?
TopMob News has attempted to get a response from Schneider regarding the most recent “Quiet on Set” episode, but have not received any comments as of now.
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2025-03-14 23:50