For the first time, Drake Bell is detailing the s-xual abuse he claims he endured by Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck.
The latest details come as part of Bell’s appearance in Investigation Discovery’s upcoming four-part docuseries ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’.
How It All Began…
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As you know, many Nickelodeon stars came forward, accusing Dan Schneider, who has been involved in numerous shows including ‘All That’, ‘The Amanda Show’, ‘Zoey 101’, and more, of s-xual abuse. Following the accusations, Discovery is releasing a docuseries ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’, which details the toxic and dangerous culture of the shows.
One of those stars… Drake Bell, who is accusing dialogue coach Brian Peck of s-xually abusing him.
Drake Bell Becomes ‘Really Close’ With Brian Peck
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The 37-year-old is detailing the alleged abuse he endured in the new docuseries, which premieres on March 17 and 18.
Bell first got his start on Nickelodeon in 1999 on ‘The Amanda Show’, which is where he met Brian Peck.
“Brian and I became really close because we had a lot of the same interests, which looking back, I think that was probably a little calculated,” Bell said of his childhood on Nickelodeon.
Peck later became Bell’s manager, which is when things allegedly took a turn for the worse.
Drake Bell Accuses Brian Peck Of S-xual Assault
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Peck and Bell spent a lot more time together now that Peck was his manager — that included Bell staying at Peck’s house.
“I was sleeping on the couch where I usually sleep and I woke up to him… I opened my eyes and I woke up and he was…he was s-xually assaulting me,” Bell, who was 15 at the time, says in the docuseries. “And I froze, and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react.”
“You know anytime I had an audition or anytime I needed to work on dialogue or anything, I somehow ended up back at Brian’s house,” the ‘Drake & Josh’ star recalled. “And it just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and I was just trapped. I had no way out. The abuse was extensive and it got pretty brutal.”
The Nickelodeon star claims the abuse happened more than once.
Drake Bell: ‘I Remember All Of The Abusive Events’
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The now 37-year-old admits that he has not forgotten a single abuse encounter with Brian Peck, which “overshadowed” the rest of his time at Nickelodeon.
“I often look back at that time and wonder how in the world I survived,” he continued. “I remember all of the abusive events, but everything outside of that is very blurry to me, which is a bummer because I experienced a lot of great things in my life and my career during this time. But it was so overshadowed and ruined by what I was dealing with on the inside that it made it really hard for me.”
In 2004, Brian Peck pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 in connection with Drake Bell’s case. He was also charged with performing a lewd act with a 14- or 15-year-old. At the time, Bell was not identified to the public.
Peck spent 16 months in prison and was mandated to register as a s-x offender.
Drake Bell Turns To Alcohol and Drugs
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Nickelodeon released a statement to PEOPLE, saying, “Now that Drake Bell had disclosed his identity as the plaintiff in the 2004 case, we are dismayed and saddened to learn of the trauma he has endured, and we commend and support the strength required to come forward.”
Due to the abuse he endured during his teenage years, the ‘Drake & Josh’ star says he turned to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope. As you may know, in 2021, Bell pleaded guilty to two charges involving an underage fan and was sentenced to two years’ probation and community service.
Discovery’s new docuseries, ‘Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV’, premieres on March 17 and 18 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of s-xual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.