Josh Peck Faces Backlash Over Controversial Video
Former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck, known for his role in the hit series Drake & Josh, is at the center of a growing controversy after posting a video that many fans believe mocks a family struggling to save their home from a fire. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media, with users accusing the 39-year-old actor of being tone-deaf and insensitive.
Peck initially shared footage on Instagram depicting a house engulfed in flames, with individuals desperately attempting to extinguish the blaze with buckets of water. While the initial clip appeared to capture the genuine chaos of a real-life emergency, it was a subsequent video that drew the most ire.
In the follow-up clip, Peck is seen at a car wash, spraying water on the concrete instead of his Tesla, accompanied by the caption: ‘It’s in the effort and not the results.’ Critics argue this was a direct and disrespectful imitation of the woman’s struggle to save her home, trivializing a devastating situation.
Social Media Erupts in Criticism
The response on social media was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Comments flooded in, with many expressing disgust and disappointment. One user wrote, “Going out of your way to be a piece of sh** like this and filming it in front of your shiny nice car just goes to show how incredibly out of touch wealthy people are. Disgusting.” Others labeled the behavior as “immature,” “disgusting,” and a “disappointment.” Concerns were also raised about the wasteful use of water at the car wash.
This controversy isn’t Peck’s first brush with public scrutiny. Nearly two years ago, he faced criticism for his initial silence regarding allegations of sexual abuse against his former co-star, Drake Bell. The allegations were detailed in the 2024 docuseries Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which revealed Bell was the victim of abuse by dialogue coach Brian Peck (no relation to Josh).
Past Allegations and Peck’s Response
Drake Bell revealed he was molested at age 15 by Brian Peck, who served 16 months in prison after being arrested on multiple charges. Josh Peck later broke his silence in March 2024, offering support to Bell and other survivors. He stated, “Children should be protected. Reliving this publicly is incredibly difficult, but I hope it can bring healing for the victims and their families as well as necessary change to our industry.”
Bell had previously asked fans to “take it easy” on Peck regarding his initial silence. The two stars later reunited on a podcast, where Peck expressed regret for not understanding the severity of the situation at the time. He acknowledged his limited perspective as a 14-year-old and expressed his support for Bell.
The current fire incident video has reignited discussions about celebrity responsibility and sensitivity, prompting many to question Peck’s judgment and empathy. Daily Mail has reached out to Peck’s representatives for comment.
