In Mexico he is especially remembered for Drake & Josha Nickelodeon show that, although it was very well recognized in the United States, its success in our country caused even more fervent fanaticism over the years. But the story of Drake Bell, like that of a series, does not stop with just that episode.
Born in California in 1986, Bell got into acting at an early age when he showed an aptitude for it and not so much for sports, as his father would have wanted at first. But he painted the picture well for the Drake boy, who appeared at the age of eight in an episode of Home Improvement (1994), series starring Tim Allen.
Then came other minor performances, very brief actually, in movies like Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise and the sitcom Seinfeld, this in 1996 and 1998 respectively. At the same time, her passion for music began to strengthen within the show, as she coincided with Roger Daltrey of The Who in film Chasing Destiny.
Possibly, Drake Bell’s history as a musician began as such here, since it is said that he received some musical lesson from the British idol. Overall, acting and music careers often go hand in hand… But in his case, something more promising awaited Bell on television.
From 1999 to 2002, Drake was part of the cast of The Amanda Show (where he also met Josh Peck) and thus made a space for himself on Nickelodeon’s list of young actors. But of course it would not be there where he would gain momentum in his acting career…
The story of Drake Bell and his arrival at ‘Drake & Josh’
The Amanda Show they would show the way for Nickelodeon for the new millennium. And it would also be the program that would open the doors of the company to the controversial Dan Schneidera producer who did not tire of making series for the children’s network (and whose career began to decline when his questionable behavior with the talent of the shows became known).
Anyway, when that program was canceled in 2002, Schneider put together a new series, now more directed as a sitcom, using his already known Bell and Josh Peck. And well, practically all of us know how that ended: from 2004 to 2007, we had Drake & Josh perhaps as the most successful episode in the history of Drake Bell professionally speaking.
In the end, the stereotype of the high school musician, heartthrob, carefree, popular, a bit rough and charming, was always an infallible formula in the American entertainment industry. And in Mexico, to give an example, that image was liked by the young public.
Given the good reception, the show (along with other appearances on various Nick series such as Zoey 101 o iCarly) was also a springboard for Drake to make known his intentions to establish himself as a musician. “Found a Way”, opening theme of Drake & Joshwas his letter of introduction, but the series has more songs composed by the actor in its soundtrack.
The story of Drake Bell in the Nickelodeon hit would be cut short by his publicized conflict with his co-star, Josh Peck. Between dimes and bickering, there was talk of a bad relationship between the two after the end of the series and then came an apparently friendly reunion. But the last chapter between the two in 2022 made it clear that they were not remotely close.
The famous car accident
One of the most remembered passages in the history of Drake Bell, although not in a very pleasant way, is the car accident he suffered at the end of 2005. As reports the Today mediumhis Mustang was hit from the front, fracturing his jaw and leaving various cuts on his face, so he had to undergo cosmetic surgery.
It was one of those anecdotes that among the young public of Drake & Josh began to raise rumors and that were magnified at the time of its revelation. But it didn’t really go any further.
A complicated musical career
Drake Bell’s period in that series was also marked by the release of his first two albums: Telegraph e It’s Only Time of 2005 and 2006 respectively. It’s not like they were industry-acclaimed musical releases, but they did come off as flashy for what one might expect from a teen TV star.
Drake Bell’s history in music, however, would be interrupted by his content work for Nickelodeon, performances in movies with a very modest name or appearances as a voice cast in animated films and series on different networks. His musical presentations continued, but he still did not take off in the way that perhaps he considered the ideal.
It was not until 2014 when he released his third album, rockabilly in style, called Ready Steady Go!, moderately successful thanks to how the fan base drives it. And so it has been with other materials such as The Lost Album y sessions at home (both from 2020) and surely it will be with Non-Stop Flight of 2023.
We must say that even Drake Bell and his team have found an important market niche in Latin America, especially in Mexico because here he is received as a high-level celebrity appearing as a guest star on all kinds of shows. And yes, within music, he has even started compositions in Spanish.
Drake Bell and his history of legal problems
The figure of the youthful star who, already in years, has legal problems, also falls on the story of Drake Bell. From leaks of intimate photos to legal problems for driving while intoxicated and crimes against minors, the actor and musician has a record in courts.
Charged with driving while intoxicated
On a couple of occasions, Drake Bell was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. One of the incidents happened in 2009 in San Diego, and another took place in December 2015 in Glendale, California.
As TMZ points outDrake faced in 2016 a sentence of four days in jail plus four years probation, and had to go to an alcohol education program, this because of the two drunk driving arrests.
Drake Bell’s story with his ex-girlfriend Melissa Lingafelt
In August 2020, Drake Bell was accused by his ex-girlfriend Melissa Lingafelt of verbal and physical abuse. Melissa revealed it in a TikTok video, ensuring that everything happened after a year of dating with the actor, with whom she began dating when she was 16 years old.
Lingafelt mentioned in her video that several women contacted her to express empathy about her case. And in various testimonies, some more said they had lived similar experiences with the musician. Bell, for his part, denied the allegations against him at the time. Drake Bell’s story after that accusation did not end there…
The complaint about Drake Bell for crimes against minors
Shortly after Lingafelt’s revelations, Drake Bell was again confronted by a complaint for crimes against minors, specifically for “endangering children and disseminating material harmful to minors”, according to TMZ. He was arrested in June 2021 and called to trial that same month.
The incident for which he was denounced happened in December 2017 prior to a Bell concert. The youngest – then 15 years old – would have had a meeting with Drake – then 31 years old – behind the scenes. The investigation and testimonies revealed that the former youth star had exchanged text messages of a sexual nature with the minor.
Bell and his attorney denied the backstage sexual encounter, but he did plead guilty to charges related to texting of a sexual nature and using his celebrity status to take advantage of a minor. The actor received two years of probation plus 200 hours of community service as a sentence in July 2021.
Today, it has found an essential acceptance in the Mexican public. The wake of him as the protagonist of Drake & JoshSomehow, it keeps it in the memory of the people. But the story of Drake Bell is now that of another youthful actor who, without a doubt, has made noise more for questionable issues than for the charisma he once displayed.
