Drake Bell (left) and Josh Peck (right)

Drake Bell Opens Up About His Relationship With Former Co-Star Josh Peck

Home / Entertainment / Drake Bell Opens Up About His Relationship With Former Co-Star Josh Peck

By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on July 13, 2024 at 2:45 PM EDT

Drake Bell and Josh Peck's relationship first began when they appeared as on-screen brothers in the Nickelodeon series "Drake & Josh."

While the two have had their ups and downs over the years, Drake Bell says they worked out their issues and remain good friends to this day.

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Fatherhood Had A 'Huge Impact' On The 'Drake & Josh' Stars' Relationship

Drake Bell attends the 2019 iHeart Radio Music Awards
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Drake Bell and Josh Peck are now grown up and have started families of their own, and Bell said this new chapter has impacted their friendship—in a good way. “Both of us becoming fathers has had a huge impact on our relationship,” the 28-year-old told Us Weekly before adding that the two talk "a lot."

Tensions between Bell and Peck escalated after Peck didn't invite Bell to his wedding to Paige O'Brien, but ultimately, they managed to resolve their differences.

“We hold a very special place in each other’s hearts," Bell told the outlet. "We do have an incredible love for each other.”

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Drake Bell Comes Forward As A Victim

Drake Bell at 'The Spy Who Dumped Me' Los Angeles Premiere
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Several former actors and actresses alleged that Dan Schneider, known for producing many hit shows in the 90s, fostered a toxic work environment characterized by favoritism and racism. However, the most shocking revelation from the docuseries came when Drake Bell spoke out about being a victim of sexual assault by Brian Peck, who is not related to Bell’s former co-star Josh Peck.

"[Brian Peck] pretty much worked his way into every aspect of my life," Bell said, mentioning that Peck persuaded his dad to resign as his manager so that Peck could take over the role. “I knew that my life was going to be absolutely going to be completely different from that point on."

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“You know, anytime I had an audition, or anytime I needed to work on dialogue or anything, I somehow ended up back at Brian [Peck]’s house,” Bell said in "Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV" of his time leading up to "Drake & Josh," but “everything changed with Brian one morning."

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Former Nickelodeon Star Details The Abuse

Drake Bell at The Maxim Hot 100 Experience
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“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,” Bell, who was 15 at the time of the incident, said.

The actor added that he “was just trapped" and "had no way out."

“The abuse was extensive and it got pretty brutal. I don’t know how to elaborate on that on camera, really,” Bell said. “Why don’t you think of the worst stuff that someone could do to somebody as a sexual assault, and then I’ll answer your question. I don’t know how else to put it.”

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Josh Peck And Drake Bell Remain Friends

Josh Peck at 2022 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards
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At first, Josh Peck did not publicly comment on the allegations made, but Drake Bell says he talked privately with his former co-star.

“I just want to clear something up. I’ve noticed a lot of comments on some of Josh’s TikToks and some of his posts,” Bell said in a video after Peck received hateful comments. “I just want to let you guys know that this is really … processing this and going through this is a really emotional time, and a lot of it is very, very difficult. So not everything is put out to the public.”

He continued, “But I just want you guys to know that he has reached out to me, and it’s been very sensitive. But he has reached out to talk with me and help me work through this. And has been really, really great. So just wanted to let you guys know that and to take it a little easy on him.”

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Josh Peck Speaks Out About 'Quiet On Set'

Josh Peck at Disney+ Turner premiere
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In the weeks following, Josh Peck shared a public statement.

“I finished the 'Quiet On Set' documentary and took a few days to process it. I reached out to Drake privately, but wanted to give my support for the survivors who were brave enough to share their stories of emotional and physical abuse on Nickelodeon sets with the world," Peck said.

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