Drake Bell was one of many many ex-Nickelodeon stars to share his experiences on Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. During Investigation Discovery’s five-part docuseries, Bell revealed the sexual abuse he skilled by the hands of Brian Peck. The former dialogue coach and registered intercourse offender was convicted years in the past and, extra not too long ago, extra particulars on his trial have come to gentle. That contains the truth that, on the time, a number of notable celebrities wrote character letters for Peck. Bell has since revealed that he’s learn the paperwork and opened up about his expertise doing so.
Weeks in the past, it was reported {that a} complete of 41 folks signed character letters on behalf of Brian Peck. The extra notable names on that listing embrace actors James Marsden, Rider Strong, Will Friedle, Alan Thicke and Taran Killam, who labored alongside Drake Bell on The Amanda Show. The now-37-year-old Drake & Josh veteran received candid concerning the letters throughout his latest look on the Luminosity podcast. And, with that, he revealed simply how lengthy he’s truly been conscious that these specific paperwork exist:
I don’t know tips on how to put that into phrases, however the letters have been a brand new factor to me. I simply came upon about these final yr. . . . I’ve learn them a number of instances. All of them.
After being arrested in 2003, Brian Peck was formally charged on 11 counts of lewd conduct with a minor. He was in the end discovered responsible on two counts and subsequently sentenced to 16 months in jail and ordered to register as a intercourse offender. At the time, most people was unaware that Drake Bell was the kid actor on the middle of the case. During Quiet on Set, the actor recalled how shocked he was to see what number of Peck supporters have been current within the courtroom. Bell, whereas talking on the podcast, went on to share trustworthy ideas on the “unbelievable” nature of the letters:
They are disgusting. There are some [letters] that I can’t consider what’s being mentioned. Just the blaming on me [and] the issues being mentioned about me. They are unbelievable. There are some that I can’t even consider. Some of the worst ones are handwritten. And a few of them state, ‘Oh, I’m conscious of the costs however I’d undoubtedly work with him once more and rent him once more. I’d suggest him to any set with youngsters.’
Following his jail sentence, Brian Peck sought out extra work within the leisure business. He was in the end employed to do voiceover work for Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. It’s since been confirmed by Variety that Peck didn’t even have any direct contact with the solid and crew. The community later fired him after discovering out about his prior conviction.
A handful of the people who wrote the letters years in the past have both spoken out about their actions. Rich and Beth Correll, who labored on Suite Life, shared a press release on the scenario. The two administrators expressed remorse over having supported their former colleague, extending their “deepest apologies” to Drake Bell and his household. They additionally conveyed how “how terrible [they] really feel for being on the mistaken aspect of a horrific scenario.” Bell additionally revealed by way of X that he had an “superb dialog” with Rider Strong and that he has “love and forgiveness for” the Boy Meets World alum. On a separate be aware, the actor has additionally obtained help from different stars, with D&J’s Josh Peck speaking to Bell as nicely.
Nearly a month after its debut, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV continues to spark conversations about little one security throughout the leisure business. As for whether or not Drake Bell continues to share extra of his story, that is still to be seen. His account will be heard, although, by streaming the docuseries, which aired as a part of the 2024 TV schedule, with a Max subscription.
