Former child star Drake Bell has recently come forward with allegations of being repeatedly molested by dialogue coach Brian Peck during his time as a young actor. Bell shared his story as part of Investigation Discovery's upcoming docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which sheds light on the toxic culture behind some iconic children's shows from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Bell's acting career began at the age of 5, and he eventually landed a role on Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show in 1999. It was during this time that he met Peck, who later became his dialogue coach and manager. Bell's father raised concerns about Peck's close relationship with his son, but these concerns were dismissed, leading to a strained relationship between Bell and his father.
According to Bell, the abuse started when he was 15 years old, with Peck sexually assaulting him at his house. Bell described feeling trapped and unable to escape the ongoing abuse, which had a profound impact on his mental well-being.
In 2004, Peck pleaded no contest to charges related to the abuse of a minor, spending time in prison and registering as a sex offender. Bell's identity as the victim was not disclosed at the time. Bell also revealed that Dan Schneider, a prominent figure in children's television, offered his support upon learning about the abuse.
Bell's traumatic experiences led to struggles with substance abuse, and he later faced legal issues related to inappropriate online behavior with an underage fan. Nickelodeon expressed support for Bell after he disclosed his identity as the victim in the 2004 case.
Bell's story is just one of many featured in the docuseries, which includes interviews with former cast members and crew from popular teen series. Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV will air on Investigation Discovery on March 17 and March 18.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text 'STRENGTH' to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.
