What did Brian Peck do to Drake Bell?
Dark Side of Nickelodeon: Drake Bell Opens Up About Childhood Sexual Abuse on Quiet on the Set
Drake Bell, once a Nickelodeon child star known for his comedic roles in shows like “The Amanda Show” and “Drake & Josh,” came forward in 2021 with a harrowing story of abuse. The perpetrator? Brian Peck, the comedic coach assigned to Bell during his early career on the network.
Peck, who also landed minor acting roles on Nickelodeon shows, allegedly positioned himself as a trusted confidante and mentor to Bell. However, according to Bell’s account, Peck’s intentions were sinister. Bell alleges that Peck began grooming him, isolating him from his father who initially served as his manager. This manipulation culminated in a sexual assault when Bell was just 15 years old.
The trauma of the event deeply affected Bell. Publicly, the details remained shrouded for years. However, in 2004, court records show that Peck pleaded no contest to charges of “oral copulation with a minor under 16” and “performing a lewd act with a teenager.” Though the victim’s identity was not revealed at the time, Bell later confirmed he was the one abused.
Bell’s story, documented in the Investigation Discovery series “Quiet on Set,” serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of child stars. It also highlights the courage it takes for victims to speak their truth, even years after the abuse.
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Who is Drake Bell?
Drake Bell, full name Jared Drake Bell, is an American actor and musician born in 1986. He started his career very young, appearing in commercials and shows like “Home Improvement” at the age of five.
Bell achieved massive fame on Nickelodeon in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He played the role of Drake Parker on “The Amanda Show” alongside Amanda Bynes and later starred in the hit show “Drake & Josh.” Bell also voiced Spider-Man in several Disney XD animated series and had a successful music career alongside his acting.
However, his career was overshadowed by the sexual abuse allegations against his former comedic coach and the legal troubles that followed.
Quiet on the Set
Quiet on the Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” (2024) is a documentary that premiered on Investigation Discovery. This documentary explores the alleged abusive and exploitative practices behind the scenes of popular Nickelodeon shows, particularly those produced by Dan Schneider, in the 1990s and 2000s. It features interviews with former child actors and crew members, including Drake Bell who details his experience with sexual abuse by his acting coach Brian Peck.
Content Contributor: Amrita Mridul
