Former ‘Boy Meets World’ Actors Speak Out About Alleged Grooming and Manipulation by Guest Star Brian Peck
In a shocking revelation, actors Rider Strong and Will Friedle, known for their roles in the popular sitcom “Boy Meets World,” have come forward to discuss the alleged grooming and manipulation they experienced at the hands of guest star Brian Peck. The actors, along with their former castmate Danielle Fishel, opened up about the difficult subjects of grooming, childhood sexual abuse, and their effects on victims during an episode of the iHeart podcast “Pod Meets World.”
Peck, now 63, was convicted of sexually abusing an unknown Nickelodeon child actor in 2004, leading to a 16-month prison sentence after being charged with eight counts of sexual abuse. His crimes will be explored in the upcoming ID docuseries “Quiet on Set,” which delves into the alleged abuse of children working in showbiz during the late ’90s and early 2000s.
However, before Peck’s crimes came to light, he allegedly infiltrated the lives of the “Boy Meets World” stars during and after his appearance on the show’s fifth season, which aired from October 1997 until May 1998. Friedle recalled how Peck had ingratiated himself into his life, attending shows with him even after the series ended. Strong also admitted to spending a significant amount of time with Peck, despite a 20-year age gap between them.
Fishel added that Peck seemed to have a keen interest in getting to know the male stars of the show, which was different from other guest actors. She speculated that adults on set may have been hesitant to question their interactions due to fear of being seen as homophobic. However, Fishel clarified that none of the young cast members cared about Peck’s sexuality.
The situation took a darker turn when Peck was accused of child sexual abuse in 2003. He asked Friedle and Strong to support him in court, and they agreed, feeling indebted to Peck for helping Friedle secure a movie role during a period of debilitating anxiety. However, the experience was traumatic for both actors, as they found themselves on the wrong side of the case, defending Peck’s character. Friedle described the courtroom scene as horrifying, with the victim’s mother pointing out the famous people supporting Peck and emphasizing that it didn’t change what he had done.
Years later, Strong ran into Peck at an industry party and was disturbed by their encounter. Peck seemed to be name-dropping famous people to validate himself, a behavior Strong had witnessed during their time on “Boy Meets World.” Friedle, on the other hand, hasn’t seen Peck in two decades but still grapples with regret over defending him against his victim.
Both actors expressed deep remorse for their involvement in Peck’s case, acknowledging that they were manipulated by a skilled actor. However, they emphasized the importance of recognizing the actual victim and the shame they feel for being on the abuser’s side.
As of now, there has been no response from Peck or his representative regarding these allegations. The revelations made by Strong and Friedle shed light on the dark side of the entertainment industry and serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.