Drake Bell has made it clear he’s no longer staying silent, especially when it comes to Hollywood’s treatment of those who stood by convicted child molester Brian Peck.
The former Nickelodeon star, who recently detailed his own abuse at the hands of Peck in Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, took aim at actor Taran Killam in a now-deleted social media post.
Bell shared an image of Killam in ABC’s High Potential with a blunt caption, “Write a letter defending an abuser and Hollywood will always hire you.”
Killam, best known for his years on Saturday Night Live and a recent appearance on the show’s 50th anniversary special, is part of the High Potential cast, which was just renewed for a second season.
But back in 2004, Killam was one of several Hollywood names who submitted character references on Peck’s behalf before his sentencing.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Killam wrote, “I’ve seen the effects this situation has had on Brian, and I know for a fact that he regrets any mistakes made.”
Peck, a dialogue coach on various Nickelodeon productions, was ultimately convicted of child molestation and served 16 months in prison.
He remains a registered sex offender.
Killam wasn’t alone. Other figures, including James Marsden, Robin Thicke, and Boy Meets World actors Will Friedle and Rider Strong, also defended Peck at the time.
Since Bell went public, Friedle and Strong have issued apologies for their past support.
Bell’s revelations have shed disturbing new light on the entertainment industry’s underbelly.
Speaking in Quiet on Set, he described the recurring abuse he suffered as a young actor and the lasting toll it’s taken.
“You know, anytime I had an audition, or anytime I needed to work on dialogue or anything, I somehow ended up back at Brian’s house.”
“I was sleeping on the couch where I would usually sleep, and I woke up to him, I opened my eyes, I woke up, and he was sexually assaulting me.”
In a separate interview on The Sarah Fraser Show, Bell said, “It did help, putting it out, getting my story out… it’s really great having people come up to me… sharing their stories and how the stories help them.”
“When I’m at the airport or wherever and meet and greets and stuff and sharing their stories and how, how the stories help them.”
But he added, “At the end of the day, I mean, it’s not just because I put it in a documentary is like it doesn’t go away. It’s something I am going to live with for the rest of my life.”
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