What’s Drake Bell Up To Now? Exploring His Life Post-Nickelodeon
The former ‘Drake & Josh’ actor, Drake Bell, has recently stepped into the spotlight again, this time not for his on-screen performances but for bravely sharing his dark experiences from his days on Nickelodeon as a child actor. In a new docuseries, Bell publicly details the sexual abuse he endured as a child at the hands of Brian Peck, a former dialogue coach for Nickelodeon.
Bell has faced several legal issues, including accusations of verbal and physical abuse by his ex-girlfriend Melissa Lingafelt. In 2020, he was charged with attempted endangering children and disseminating matters harmful to juveniles. He pleaded guilty to these charges as part of a plea deal and was sentenced to two years of probation.
Despite the challenges, Bell has remained active in his career. He has continued to work in voice acting for children’s films and shows, such as ‘The Big Trip’ and ‘Robot Chicken’. He also released new music, including the album ‘Non-Stop Flight’ in 2023 Bell currently resides in Los Angeles but has expressed a desire to move to Mexico in the future, citing a stronger sense of belonging and connection there.
Bell’s courage in speaking out about his past experiences has not gone unnoticed. He continues to raise awareness about issues such as child protection and abuse prevention, contributing to important conversations within the industry.
As Bell navigates the ups and downs of life after Nickelodeon, his journey serves as a reminder of the complexities faced by individuals in the public eye and the importance of addressing personal challenges while striving for growth and resilience.
As Bell returns to the spotlight with the new docuseries, many are wondering what he has been up to since his Nickelodeon days. In addition to becoming a father, Bell has also faced several legal troubles in recent years.
In 2004, in connection with Bell’s case, Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old. Peck spent 16 months in prison and was mandated to register as a sex offender. The four-part series features Bell and other former cast members and crew as they discuss the alleged toxic and abusive behaviour that occurred behind the scenes of their hit shows.
After dating for five years, Bell and his longtime girlfriend Janet Von Schmeling got married in 2018. However, he didn’t publicly reveal the news until July 2021, shortly after photos surfaced in the Daily Mail of him and Schmeling walking through Disneyland in California with rings on their fingers.
During his relationship with Schmeling, Bell became a father as the former couple welcomed a son in 2021. Bell and Schmeling rarely speak publicly about their son, however, they have shared several photos of him on social media.
Almost a year later, Bell faced more legal issues as he was charged with attempted endangering children and disseminating matters harmful to juveniles, according to court documents.
-Sushmita Sarkar
