People often assume that once you’ve been on television—especially on a hit show—you’ve hit the jackpot for life.
But for former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell, that illusion couldn’t be further from the truth.
Despite being part of one of the most iconic kids’ shows of the early 2000s, Bell is now opening up about the harsh financial struggles he’s facing, all while his past work continues to air and generate profits—for others.
No Residuals, Just One-Off Checks
Drake Bell, now 39, recently shared his frustration on The Unplanned Podcast, where he spoke candidly about the payment structure Nickelodeon enforced when he was a child actor.
He revealed that for all his work on beloved shows like Drake & Josh and The Amanda Show, he was only given flat, one-time payments.
Unlike many actors who continue to receive residuals when their shows are replayed or syndicated, Bell doesn’t see a dime.
He explained that the common public perception is that TV actors must be wealthy.
“People think, ‘Oh, you were on TV, you must be rich,'” he said.
But according to him, that assumption couldn’t be more wrong—especially for Nickelodeon stars.
“We don’t get residuals for our shows,” he emphasized.
Comparing Nickelodeon Pay to Hollywood Giants
Bell didn’t hold back in comparing his situation to that of stars from other successful TV shows.
He referenced the Friends cast, pointing out how they not only earned a million dollars per episode during the show’s prime, but continue to rake in over $20 million annually just from syndication.
“They’re not even working anymore, but they still get paid just because the show is airing somewhere,” he said.
That’s the power of a fair contract with syndication rights—something Bell says was completely absent from his own deals.
Profits Keep Rolling in, But Not for the Stars
Despite his shows still running on multiple platforms and even trending in the Netflix top 10, Bell says he’s left scrambling to afford basic living expenses.
“There are three channels doing marathons,” he said.
“Netflix just picked it up—and I still have to figure out how to pay my rent this month.”
He blames corporate greed and exploitation for the disparity, painting a picture of high-level executives profiting immensely off the labor of young actors while offering them little in return.
“Some fat cat with a cigar is sitting at the top of Viacom, laughing,” he said, bitterly.
“It’s like getting high on child labor.”
A System Built on Broken Promises
Beyond just finances, Bell spoke about the emotional toll of being in the entertainment industry from such a young age.
“They do everything to us—mentally and emotionally—and then toss us aside,” he said.
According to him, the contracts Nickelodeon actors signed even included outlandish legal phrasing, such as usage rights “across universes and galaxies and planets,” which he finds both absurd and insulting.
He emphasized that the public often doesn’t see the reality of the industry.
What looks like glitz and glamour on Instagram hides a system where young talent is used up and discarded.
“This corporation is making billions—with a B—off of us,” Bell said.
“And we only get paid for that one week of work.”
Calling Out Corruption in the Industry
As he looks back on his career, Bell believes the situation wasn’t just unfortunate—it was outright malicious.
“It’s a lot of evil, corrupt people,” he said bluntly.
For him, the root of the issue lies in how the industry exploits child actors, profits endlessly from their work, and then fails to support them when they grow up.
Now, despite being a familiar face to millions, Bell is left in a tough spot financially and emotionally, forced to reckon with a system that rewarded him with fame but left him with very little else.
What Happens Next?
Drake Bell’s story is part of a growing chorus of former child stars speaking out about exploitation in the entertainment world.
As conversations around fair pay, residuals, and child labor in Hollywood gain traction, there may finally be pressure on networks and production companies to reevaluate how they treat their youngest stars.
Until then, Bell—and many others like him—will continue navigating life outside the spotlight, hoping for the kind of justice and compensation that reflects the true value of their work.