The Ultimate Guide to Brian Peck Scandal

Brian Peck is a former Hollywood actor, dialogue coach, and convicted sex offender who abused child actor Drake Bell in 2001.

Here are the key facts at a glance:

The story of Brian Peck is one of Hollywood's most disturbing examples of how the entertainment industry failed to protect child performers. For years, the full scope of his crimes remained largely hidden from the public. It wasn't until the 2024 Discovery ID docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV that the victim's identity - and the industry's troubling response - came into sharp focus.

The case raises hard questions about who had access to child actors, who looked the other way, and why so many respected names in Hollywood rushed to defend a convicted abuser.

Brian peck glossary:

Before he became a name synonymous with one of the industry's darkest scandals, Brian Peck was a working professional in the heart of the Los Angeles entertainment scene. Born on July 29, 1960, in Huntington, Indiana, Peck moved west to pursue his dreams, eventually graduating from the University of Southern California (USC). Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he found his niche not just as an actor, but as a multi-talented crew member, producer, and director.

His most recognizable acting role came in 1985 when he played "Scuz" in the cult classic horror-comedy The Return of the Living Dead. This role cemented his place in the horror community, leading to a long-standing association with the franchise. However, his influence extended far beyond the silver screen. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Peck became a staple on the sets of popular children's television networks.

He worked extensively as a dialogue coach, a role that gave him direct, often private access to young talent. We see his name attached to massive hits like All That and The Amanda Show. He wasn't just a coach; he was a mentor, a director of the 1990 horror anthology The Willies, and even served as a body double for Kirk Cameron on the set of Growing Pains. This proximity to child stars created a veneer of trust that, as we now know, was used for predatory purposes. Drake Bell's revelation of abuse in recent years has completely reframed how we view Peck’s "helpful" presence on those iconic sets.

The facade of the "trusted mentor" began to crumble on August 19, 2003. At 9:30 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit arrested Brian Peck, then 43, at his residence in the Valley Glen neighborhood of Los Angeles. The arrest followed a report made by a minor’s family just two weeks prior, detailing a harrowing six-month period of abuse that had occurred in 2001.

The investigation revealed that the lewd acts took place at Peck’s home on Delano Street while he was coaching the victim. At the time of the arrest, bail was set at $500,000. While the public didn't know the victim's name then, the charges were severe and unambiguous.

In 2004, Peck pleaded no contest to the charges brought against him. The legal proceedings concluded with a sentence that many today view as shockingly light given the nature of the crimes.

Perhaps one of the most chilling details to emerge from the Brian Peck investigation is his fascination with one of America's most notorious serial killers, John Wayne Gacy. It was revealed that Peck had been long-term pen pals with Gacy while the killer was on death row.

Young actors who visited Peck’s home, including Kyle Sullivan, recalled seeing a disturbing "shrine" of sorts. Peck reportedly flaunted an autographed painting of a clown created by Gacy. This wasn't just a morbid hobby; experts and survivors suggest it was part of a broader grooming tactic. By showcasing his connection to such a dark figure, Peck may have been testing the boundaries of the children around him or asserting a form of psychological dominance. The presence of such items in a home where children were frequently coached is a massive red flag that the industry, at the time, failed to acknowledge.

When the 2024 docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV aired, it sent shockwaves through social media. While the conviction of Brian Peck was public record, the docuseries highlighted a facet of the case that left many feeling betrayed: the celebrity support letters for Peck.

After his arrest in 2003, over 40 high-profile industry professionals wrote letters to the judge vouching for Peck’s character. These weren't just background players; they were household names. The list included:

The fallout from these revelations was immediate. Will Friedle and Rider Strong later used their podcast to express their deep regret, claiming they were "groomed" and manipulated by Peck into believing the incident was a one-time mistake involving someone who was nearly an adult. They have since reached out to Drake Bell to apologize. Others, like the Corrells, issued public statements expressing that they were "saddened and appalled" to learn the full extent of the abuse they had previously dismissed or misunderstood.

The Brian Peck scandal exposed a massive "blind spot" in how networks like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel managed their sets. For years, the industry operated on a system of "open secrets," where powerful adults were given unfettered access to minors without sufficient oversight.

The 2015 documentary An Open Secret first attempted to bring these issues to light, but it was the testimony of Drake Bell in 2024 that finally forced a public reckoning. The case has led to renewed calls for production accountability, stricter background checks for talent coaches, and a fundamental shift in how child actor safety is prioritized on set. We are seeing a move away from the "coaching in private homes" culture that allowed Peck to operate for so long.

As of 2026, Brian Peck is 65 years old. Following his release from prison in 2005, he attempted to resume his career in Hollywood, but his path was significantly more difficult. Shortly after his release, he was hired by Disney for voiceover work on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. However, once Disney executives became aware of his conviction, he was promptly fired, and his credits were scrubbed from the show.

In 2012, he found work as a stand-in for Charlie Sheen on the set of Anger Management, a move that again sparked controversy regarding how convicted offenders find their way back into production environments.

Today, Peck remains a registered sex offender for life. Under California's Megan’s Law, his status and location are part of the public record. While he has largely retreated from the public eye following the massive backlash from the Quiet on Set docuseries, his professional exile appears to be permanent. He no longer holds the positions of influence or "mentorship" that characterized his career in the late 90s.

The legacy of this scandal is one of pain, but also of profound bravery. Drake Bell’s decision to come forward has provided a roadmap for healing for other child stars who suffered in silence. The public perception of the "golden age" of 90s and 2000s kids' TV has been forever altered.

We are seeing a surge in victim advocacy and a demand for Hollywood reform. Social media has played a pivotal role in holding those who supported Peck accountable, ensuring that the industry cannot simply "wait out" the news cycle. Most importantly, the case has served as a catalyst for discussing child protection laws and the necessity of having "set teachers" and "coordinators" who are specifically trained to spot grooming behavior.

The most prominent victim is actor and musician Drake Bell, who revealed his identity in 2024. Bell was 15 at the time the abuse began in 2001. During the initial 2003 investigation, detectives expressed belief that there may have been other victims, and they encouraged anyone with information to contact the LAPD's Sexually Exploited Child Unit.

Yes, briefly. In 2005, shortly after serving his 16-month sentence, Peck was hired as a voiceover actor for the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. He was terminated once the network learned of his criminal record.

Over 40 people wrote letters, including James Marsden, Alan Thicke, Taran Killam, Rider Strong, Will Friedle, and directors Rich and Beth Correll. Many have since apologized, stating they were misled by Peck regarding the severity and nature of his crimes.

At Edible L.A., we believe in the power of community and the importance of looking out for one another—whether that’s supporting our local farmers or advocating for the safety of our neighbors. The Brian Peck scandal is a stark reminder that vigilance and transparency are essential in every industry, especially those that involve our youth.

As we continue to share the stories of Los Angeles, from the vibrant food culture in Silverlake to the historic sets of Hollywood, we remain committed to awareness and community safety. Supporting survivors and demanding accountability helps ensure that the future of our city—and its youngest stars—is a bright and safe one.

For more information on how we support our local community and to learn about the best of what our region has to offer, check out our More info about seasonal produce. Together, we can foster a culture of care and protection for all.