Drake Bell, once a leading actor on Nickelodeon’s ‘Drake & Josh’, has spoken publicly for the first time about being sexually abused by his dialogue coach Brian Peck when he was a child. This revelation comes as part of the upcoming investigative docu-series ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’, which explores the disturbing undercurrents of the children’s entertainment industry in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Bell’s story is one of many that will be featured in the docuseries, highlighting a potential pattern of abuse within these popular shows. Bell began acting at a young age, finding early success on Nickelodeon’s ‘The Amanda Show’. Brian Peck, a dialogue coach on the show, befriended Bell and offered him additional acting instruction.
However, looking back, Bell acknowledges a manipulative aspect of this friendship. Bell’s father, concerned about the closeness between Peck and his son, raised his concerns with production. However, he claims these concerns were met with resistance, leading to a rift between himself and Drake.
It was during this period that Peck began accompanying Drake to auditions in Los Angeles, requiring overnight stays at Peck’s residence due to the distance.
It was during one of these stays, at the age of 15, that Bell alleges the abuse occurred. In response to Bell’s revelation, Nickelodeon issued a statement expressing dismay and sadness at the reported abuse.
They commend Bell for his courage in coming forward. Bell’s story serves as a stark reminder of the potential vulnerabilities faced by child actors. ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’ aims to shed light on these issues and encourage a more responsible culture within the children’s entertainment industry.
-Sushmita Sarkar