Honestly, if you grew up in the mid-2000s, you probably spent a good chunk of your afternoons watching two stepbrothers get into absolute chaos in San Diego. But while Drake Parker was busy being the "cool musician" and Josh Nichols was perfecting his magic tricks, there were two other guys who basically carried the show’s B-plots on their backs. I’m talking about the Drake y Josh nerds: Craig and Eric.
They weren’t just background characters. They were the ultimate punching bags, the tech support, and occasionally, the accidental villains of the story.
Most people just remember them as "those two guys Drake always confused," but their impact on the show's comedy was huge. If you’ve ever wondered why Eric suddenly punched Drake in the eye or what those actors are actually doing in 2026, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into the weird, wonderful world of Craig Ramirez and Eric Blonowitz.
Who Were the Drake y Josh Nerds?
Let’s set the record straight because even Drake Parker couldn’t do it for four seasons.
Craig Ramirez was played by Alec Medlock. He was usually the more soft-spoken of the two, often sporting a vest or a button-down shirt. Then you had Eric Blonowitz, played by Scott Halberstadt. Eric was a bit more high-strung. Remember the episode where he thinks he’s a tough guy because of a misunderstanding? Classic.
These two were Josh’s best friends before he became "cool." While Josh eventually leveled up his social status, Craig and Eric stayed exactly where they were: obsessed with sci-fi, Astro Camp, and high-level physics. They were the guys who would bring a gyroscope to school just for fun.
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The funniest running gag was easily Drake’s inability to tell them apart. He’d look Craig dead in the face, call him Eric, and when corrected, he’d just hit them with a "whatever." It was disrespectful, sure, but it defined their dynamic. They were the "useful" friends Drake only called when he needed a computer hacked or a science project finished.
The Epic Moment Eric Punched Drake
We have to talk about the Season 4 episode "Eric Punches Drake." It’s probably the peak of the Drake y Josh nerds lore.
The whole plot starts because of a literal accident in the hallway. Eric accidentally hits Drake in the eye, but because of the high school rumor mill, the story morphs into Eric being some kind of secret martial arts master who stood up to the "cool guy."
It was a total shift in power. For once, Eric wasn’t the dork; he was the hero of the school. Even Clayton—the other recurring nerd character—was impressed. Of course, the fame went to Eric's head. He started acting like a tough guy, which was hilarious because Scott Halberstadt played "fake confidence" so well.
Where Are They Now? (The 2026 Update)
This is where it gets interesting. You might expect these guys to still be doing bit parts in sitcoms, but their real lives took some pretty impressive turns.
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Alec Medlock (Craig)
Alec didn't just stay in Hollywood. He actually became incredibly successful in a completely different field. After the show ended, he did some voice work (he was the voice of Littlefoot in The Land Before Time sequels!) and appeared in shows like Grey’s Anatomy.
But here’s the kicker: Alec Medlock is now a corporate attorney. He graduated from UC Berkeley School of Law and works for a major firm. Imagine walking into a high-stakes legal meeting and realizing your lawyer is Craig from Drake & Josh.
Scott Halberstadt (Eric)
Scott stayed in the industry for a while longer than Alec. He popped up in iCarly (reprising the Eric role briefly) and was in the movie Smokin' Aces. However, around 2013, he decided to step away from the cameras.
In recent years, he’s focused on his family and his love for retro gaming and wrestling. Interestingly, there was a viral realization a few years back that Scott is actually about 14 years older than Alec in real life. While they played same-age peers, Scott was already in his late 20s when the show started.
Why They Were More Than Just Stereotypes
Usually, 2000s sitcoms treated nerds like losers who had no lives. But in Drake & Josh, Craig and Eric actually had a pretty solid social circle. They were always at the parties—even if they were the ones managing the music or the coats.
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They represented a specific kind of friendship. Josh truly cared about them, even if he sometimes felt embarrassed by their "geekiness" when he was trying to impress girls like Mindy Crenshaw. They were the "safe space" for Josh when Drake’s schemes became too much.
Lessons from the Nerds of Bellview High
If we look back at the Drake y Josh nerds, there are actually some low-key life lessons buried in the slapstick.
- Honesty matters (mostly): Remember the scene in the record store where they find a wallet? They were so honest it actually annoyed Drake.
- Skill sets are leverage: Drake treated them like garbage until his computer crashed or he needed to cheat on a test. Then, they were the most important people in the room.
- Find your tribe: Craig and Eric didn't care if they weren't the "popular" kids. They had each other, their gadgets, and their interests.
Next time you’re scrolling through streaming services and decide to put on an old episode, pay attention to the background. Watch how Alec and Scott react to the chaos around them. Their physical comedy—the winces, the awkward waves, the terrified looks when Megan enters the room—is top-tier.
If you want to dive deeper into the nostalgia, you can actually find Alec Medlock on LinkedIn if you’re looking for legal advice (really!), or check out old clips of "The Wedding" episode to see them accidentally burn down a ceremony. They were the unsung heroes of Nickelodeon.
What you should do next: Go watch the "Eric Punches Drake" episode again. Pay attention to how Eric's wardrobe changes as he gets more confident. It’s a masterclass in subtle character growth in a show that usually relied on "HUG ME BROTHER!" for its big moments.