Boy Meets World Actors Discuss Complicated Friendship with Convicted Child Abuser
Will Friedle and Rider Strong, former stars of the popular sitcom “Boy Meets World,” openly addressed their complex feelings towards guest star Brian Peck, who was convicted of child abuse, during a recent episode of their podcast “Pod Meets World.”
Background
In light of the upcoming docuseries “Quiet on Set,” which exposes child abuse on various Nickelodeon shows, Friedle, Strong, and their co-star Danielle Fishel shared their thoughts on Peck, who was accused of molesting a child in 2003 and later convicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse. Peck spent 16 months in prison for a lewd act against a child and oral copulation of a person under 16.
An Unexpected Friendship
Although Peck only appeared in two episodes of “Boy Meets World,” he quickly formed a close bond with Friedle and Strong. Both actors recall feeling completely unaware of Peck’s crimes and the extent of his manipulation.
Spotting the Manipulation
Friedle, reflecting on his emotions at the time, expressed his disbelief at being deceived, stating, “There’s no way I could have been manipulated like this because I was an adult,” and acknowledging his personal failure in not recognizing the signs. Strong, on the other hand, remembers the person Peck portrayed publicly – a talented, funny individual – leading them to trust and spend a significant amount of time with him.
A Lesson Learned
Both actors admitted to being taken in by Peck’s acting skills and manipulative behavior. Despite having distanced themselves from Peck over the years, they continue to carry the guilt and shame of being unknowingly complicit in their friend’s abusive actions. Strong, in particular, described his shame in being swayed by Peck’s manipulative storytelling.
Silenced by Fear
The actors speculate that their silence on the matter might have been misconstrued as homophobia, as Peck is a gay man. Fishel acknowledged the importance of setting boundaries between adults and children, regardless of sexual orientation.
Lasting Impact
Friedle revealed his regret for not being a stronger voice for Peck’s victim and for offering his support to Peck during the court proceedings. The actors were ultimately confronted by one of the victim’s mothers, who highlighted the insincerity of their support by bringing famous individuals to court.
The Aftermath
The actors admitted to being haunted by the memory of their friendship with Peck. Strong, in particular, expressed feeling unsettled when Peck approached him at a party years after the incident, pretending that they were old friends.
A Call for Change
The podcast ended on a note of hope, with the cast committing to continue the conversation about manipulation and child grooming. They urged for support and empathy towards the victims of such behavior.
