Inside former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell’s life at 40 as he focuses on rebuilding career

Drake Bell has marked a major milestone, turning 40 on Saturday June 27, 2026, after a life in the public eye that has included early success, serious personal struggles and a renewed focus on music and fatherhood.

The actor and musician first became a household name as a teenager on Nickelodeon, appearing in The Amanda Show before landing the role that defined his early career: Drake Parker in Drake & Josh.

Alongside Josh Peck, Drake became one half of one of the network’s most popular double acts. The sitcom ran from 2004 until 2007 and turned the pair into stars for a generation of viewers, with Drake’s guitar-playing, wisecracking character helping establish him as a major teen idol of the era. But the years after Nickelodeon were far more complicated.

Drake’s life and career were increasingly overshadowed by legal issues and personal turmoil. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles in a case involving a minor. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 200 hours of community service.

Speaking on a podcast in 2024, Drake said he was “very regretful” about mistakes he had made and acknowledged that he had hurt people through past decisions.

That same year, he publicly identified himself as the former child actor who had been sexually abused by dialogue coach Brian Peck when he was 15. Brian was later convicted of offences involving a minor and served a prison sentence.

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Drake shared his experience in the Investigation Discovery documentary Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, describing the abuse and the impact it had on him as he entered adulthood.

He has said the experience helped fuel a period of self-destructive behaviour, while also making clear that he is continuing to take responsibility for his own actions.

“I made a lot of decisions in my life that I shouldn’t have made and hurt a lot of people,” he said. “There’s so much healing that needs to happen with my family and my relationships.”

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In recent years, music has become his main creative focus. Drake has released several albums throughout his career and developed a particularly devoted following in Mexico, where he has performed under the name Drake Campana and released Spanish-language material.

He is currently continuing to perform live across the US, telling fans that music offers the most direct window into his experiences.

“I tell my story through my art,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “If you really want to know what’s going on in my mind, my heart and my thoughts, you should check out my record and what I’m doing artistically.”

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Away from the stage, Drake has been prioritising time with his young son. Earlier this year, he said he had based himself in Florida so he could maintain a routine at home between touring commitments.

“I carve out tons of time to be home in Florida with my son,” he said on Reunited. “I do get to wake up in the morning and get him ready for school and have routine with him.”