Drake Bell, a former Nickelodeon star, has spoken out against “Boy Meets World” actors Will Friedle and Rider Strong for supporting his abuser, Brian Peck, in the past. Bell revealed his experiences with abuse by Peck in the docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” airing on Investigation Discovery. The series presented court documents from Peck’s trial, including letters of support from Friedle, Strong, James Marsden, Taran Killam, and Alan Thicke. Fellow Nickelodeon star Alex Nikolas criticized the “Boy Meets World” actors on Instagram, prompting Bell to respond to fans’ comments suggesting they were also victims of Peck.
Bell highlighted that Friedle and Strong were aware of Peck’s actions when they wrote letters supporting him. Friedle, who was 27 at the time, and Strong, who was 24, were informed by Peck about his misconduct but chose to write the letters regardless. Bell mentioned that Friedle never mentioned the incident to him during their work together on “Ultimate Spider-Man,” implying that they were advised to address the issue before the letters became public. Friedle and Strong have not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
In their podcast “Pod Meets World,” Friedle and Strong discussed their support for Peck before the release of details from the “Quiet on Set” documentary. Friedle acknowledged that he should have been more aware of the situation and that he failed to recognize the signs of Peck’s behavior. Strong recalled Peck admitting to the crime but framing it as if he was the victim, a narrative they accepted at the time.
Bell recounted the abuse he endured from Peck while working at Nickelodeon, stating that the assault escalated from discomfort to severe abuse when he was 15. He described waking up to Peck sexually assaulting him and feeling frozen in shock. The abuse continued extensively and became increasingly brutal, leaving Bell unsure of how to elaborate on the details.
Peck faced charges of sexual abuse in 2003, leading to his conviction for lewd acts against a child and oral copulation with a minor under 16. He served 16 months in prison as a result. Nickelodeon expressed support for Bell after he came forward about his experiences, commending his courage in sharing his story.
The “Quiet on Set” directors discussed the sensitive approach taken to help Bell share his story in the docuseries. Bell’s revelations have shed light on the dark side of the entertainment industry and the challenges faced by child actors. The impact of his disclosure has sparked conversations about accountability and support for survivors of abuse.
