Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
Investigation Discovery’s latest docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, has explored the toxic culture of children’s shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s. In the documentary, Drake Bell, the lead actor of Drake & Josh, revealed that his former dialogue coach, Brian Peck, sexually abused him.
Bell stated that he met Peck while filming The Amanda Show. As per Entertainment Weekly, he was a teen at the time, and Bell recalled how he faced abuse after he visited Peck’s residence on several occasions. He said, “I was sleeping on the couch where I would usually sleep. I woke up to him — I opened my eyes, I woke up and he was sexually assaulting me. I froze and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react, and I have no idea how to get out of this situation.”
However, the secret did not come out until he sought therapy. Following this, he told his mother, who immediately called the police. In the docuseries, Bell stated that because of what happened to him, he developed trauma. He also went on a path of self-destruction.
However, he also found love in his life. From 2018 to 2022, he was married to Janet Von Schmeling. Together, they share a son. Currently 37, Drake Bell primarily lives in Mexico City and is working on an album, per Business Insider.
According to IMDb, the synopsis of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV reads, “A docu-series that uncovers the toxic culture behind some of the most iconic children’s shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s.”
Alongside Drake Bell, child actors such as Giovonnie Samuels and Rick Ellis show up in the docuseries and share their experiences. The docuseries is available to stream on Max.
What did Dan Schneider say regarding Drake Bell’s disturbing revelations?
Throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Dan Schneider created and produced several successful children’s shows for Nickelodeon. However, after allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behavior on the sets, he Nickelodeon parted ways with him in 2018.
Recently, the now 58-year-old appeared in an interview with BooG!e, which is available on DanWarp’s YouTube channel, and responded to the allegations made against him. He stated, “Facing my past behaviors, some of which are embarrassing and that I regret. I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology.”
He further stated, “It was wrong. It was wrong that I ever put anybody in that position. It was the wrong thing to do. I’d never do it today. I’m embarrassed that I did it then. I apologize to anybody that I ever put in that situation.”
He also addressed Drake Bell’s revelations in Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. Schneider stated that he was devastated by what happened to the child actor and even told him Bell was there for him.
According to People Magazine, Dan Schneider said, “When Drake and I talked and he told me about what happened, I was more devastated by that than anything that ever happened to me in my career thus far. And I told him, ‘I’m here for you”.
For his crimes, Brian Peck pleaded no contest to performing a lewd act with a 14 or 15-year-old and to oral copulation with a minor under 16. After spending 16 months in prison, he was registered as a sex offender.
