The sexual abuse at the hands of Brian Peck occurred while Drake Bell was a 15-year-old cast member on ‘The Amanda Show
Drake Bell Opens Up About Childhood Sexual Abuse
Drake Bell, the former star of Nickelodeon’s beloved sitcom “Drake & Josh,” has bravely come forward about a dark secret from his childhood. In a new documentary, Bell reveals he was repeatedly molested by his acting coach, Brian Peck.
This shocking story is part of Investigation Discovery’s upcoming series “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” which delves into the disturbing underbelly of the seemingly innocent world of children’s television. The show sheds light on the dark side of the industry, particularly during the late 90s and early 2000s, when many popular shows were produced by Dan Schneider.
Bell, now 37, speaks openly in the docuseries about how Peck, initially a friendly face, turned into his abuser. “Brian and I became really close,” Bell says. “Looking back, I think he used our shared interests to manipulate me.”
Bell’s journey began at a young age, just 5 years old, when his parents were going through a divorce. He started acting in commercials and small TV roles, eventually landing a spot on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show” in 1999. It was on the first day of the show’s second season that Bell met Brian Peck, a dialogue coach who seemed friendly and supportive. Little did Bell know, this initial connection would turn into a horrific betrayal.
A Growing Unease and a Broken Relationship
Drake Bell’s dad, Joe, wasn’t buying the whole “friendly acting coach” thing. Peck seemed to be around his son an awful lot, even appearing on set as a goofy character named “Pickle Boy.” Joe voiced his concerns to the production team, feeling a knot of unease in his gut. But instead of addressing his worries, Joe says he was ostracized and shut down. This left him feeling helpless and forced to back off.
Things got even more complicated when Peck became Drake’s manager. This decision drove a wedge between Drake and his father. Peck would often take Drake to auditions in Los Angeles, a long drive from their home. Because of the distance, Drake would sometimes stay overnight at Peck’s house. It was during one of these sleepovers that everything took a terrible turn.
“I was sleeping on the couch where I usually sleep when I woke up to him… At the time, Bell was 15 years old and was sexually assaulted by him when she woke up. “I froze for a moment and couldn’t even move; I was in shock and didn’t know what to do.”
“You know, whenever I had an audition or needed to practice dialogue, I always found myself back at Brian’s place,” Bell reflects. “But things took a turn for the worse, spiraling into a nightmare I couldn’t escape. The abuse was relentless, escalating into something truly brutal.”
According to Bell, these traumatic events occurred on multiple occasions, leaving an indelible mark on him that he’s never been able to shake off.”
“It’s crazy when I look back on that period and wonder how I made it through,” he reflects. “I can recall all the awful stuff that happened, but everything else from that time is like a blur to me. It’s frustrating because amidst the chaos, there were some really amazing moments in my life and career. But it’s like they’re all overshadowed and tainted by the internal struggles I was facing. It just made everything so tough.”
Back in 2004, during Bell’s case, Peck admitted no contest to charges of oral copulation with a minor under 16 and performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old. Bell’s identity as the victim remained under wraps at the time. Peck served 16 months behind bars and was required to register as a sex offender.”
Drake Bell opens up in a new docuseries about being sexually abused by his Nickelodeon dialogue coach, Brian Peck, when he was just 15. Bell says Peck would use excuses about working on lines to lure him to his house, where the abuse took place.
According to Bell, his co-star, Dan Schneider, had no idea what was happening. When Bell finally told Schneider, he was apparently very supportive and offered to help in any way he could.
The experience left Bell traumatized. He says he turned to alcohol and drugs to cope. (This detail is especially poignant considering Bell’s own legal troubles in 2021, where he faced charges related to online interactions with a young fan.)
Nickelodeon released a statement saying they’re heartbroken to learn about Drake Bell’s experience and the trauma he’s been carrying. They admire his courage for speaking out.
Bell’s story is just one of many featured in a new documentary that dives into the darker side of popular teen shows from the past. The documentary includes interviews with former actors, writers, and crew members who worked on shows like All That, The Amanda Show, and Zoey 101.
“Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” airs on Investigation Discovery on March 17th and 18th from 9 to 11 pm Eastern Time.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, there are resources available to help. You can text “STRENGTH” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line.
