If you grew up in the mid-2000s, you probably still have the theme song stuck in your head. It’s unavoidable. Between 2004 and 2007, the actors on Drake and Josh weren't just faces on a TV screen; they were basically our surrogate brothers and sisters. We watched them eat giant pancakes, get stuck in treehouses, and navigate the absolute chaos of teenage life in San Diego. But the goofy chemistry we saw on Nickelodeon didn't necessarily translate into a smooth ride once the cameras stopped rolling.
Hollywood is weird. It’s even weirder for child stars who have to figure out who they are once the laugh track fades away. Honestly, looking back at the cast now, it's a wild mix of massive mainstream success, quiet departures from the industry, and some very public, very messy falling outs.
Drake Bell and the Reality of Life After Nick
Drake Bell was the "cool" one. He had the guitar, the hair, and the effortless charm that made every pre-teen viewer want to be his friend. But his journey after the show has been anything but effortless.
For years, Drake focused heavily on his music career. He released It’s Only Time shortly after the show began, and "I Found a Way" remains an anthem for a certain generation. He even found a massive second wind in Mexico, where he rebranded himself as Drake Campana and began singing in Spanish. It was a pivot nobody saw coming, but it worked. He became a genuine superstar in Latin America, often performing to sold-out crowds who cared way more about his melodies than his sitcom past.
However, the headlines weren't always about music. Drake’s personal life has been marred by legal troubles that shifted the public's perception of him significantly. From a DUI in 2015 to more serious legal issues in 2021 regarding a dynamic with a minor, the narrative around him became heavy. It’s a stark contrast to the breezy, carefree character he played. When we talk about the actors on Drake and Josh, Drake is often the person people point to when discussing the darker side of early fame. He’s been open in recent years, especially in the Quiet on Set documentary, about the abuse he suffered at the hands of a dialogue coach at Nickelodeon. It put a lot of his later struggles into a heartbreaking context that many fans are still processing.
Josh Peck’s Incredible Transformation
Then there’s Josh Peck. If you haven't seen Josh lately, you might not even recognize him. He’s basically the poster child for the "glow-up."
Josh didn't just lose weight; he completely reinvented his brand. While many child stars struggle to find work as adults, Josh leaned into the burgeoning world of social media. He became a king on Vine—remember Vine?—and later built a massive following on YouTube and TikTok. He realized early on that if the traditional studios weren't knocking, he could just build his own studio in his pocket.
✨ Don't miss: Austin & Ally Maddie Ziegler Episode: What Really Happened in Homework & Hidden Talents
It paid off.
Josh eventually made his way back to big-budget acting. He starred in the Turner & Hooch reboot for Disney+ and took on a recurring role in How I Met Your Father. But perhaps his biggest "I’ve made it" moment was appearing in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Seeing Josh Peck in a Best Picture-winning film about the atomic bomb was a "wait, is that Josh?" moment for millions. He’s proved that you can outgrow the "funny fat kid" trope and become a respected character actor in prestige cinema.
The Megan Factor: Miranda Cosgrove’s Empire
We can’t talk about the actors on Drake and Josh without mentioning the girl who ran the show from the sidelines. Miranda Cosgrove’s Megan Parker was a tactical genius. She was the youngest, the smartest, and the most devious person in the room.
Miranda is arguably the most successful of the bunch in terms of pure Nickelodeon longevity. She moved straight from being the annoying little sister to being the lead of iCarly, which became a global phenomenon. Not many actors can say they fronted two of the biggest sitcoms of a decade.
She also stepped away for a bit to attend USC, proving she wasn't just another kid trapped in the "industry bubble." In 2021, she spearheaded the iCarly revival on Paramount+, which took the characters into adulthood with a more mature, cynical edge. She’s also the voice of Margo in the Despicable Me franchise. Basically, Miranda Cosgrove is doing just fine. She managed to navigate the transition from child star to adult professional without a single public scandal, which is a rare feat in this business.
The Supporting Cast: Where Are They Now?
The world of Drake and Josh was filled with eccentric side characters who often stole the scenes they were in.
🔗 Read more: Kiss My Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep: The Dark Folklore of a Viral Lullaby
- Jonathan Goldstein (Walter): The perpetually stressed-out dad. Jonathan has continued to work steadily in TV and film, but he’s also a very active musician. He often shares his life on social media, leaning into the "dad" persona that fans still love him for.
- Nancy Sullivan (Audrey): The mom who somehow never noticed Megan’s elaborate pranks. Nancy has mostly stepped away from the spotlight. She’s done some voice work and theater, but she largely stays out of the Hollywood grind these days.
- Yvette Nicole Brown (Helen): Helen was the manager of the Premiere, and Yvette is a legend. She went on to star in Community, which has a massive cult following. She’s a frequent guest on talk shows and is widely considered one of the kindest people in the industry.
- Jerry Trainor (Crazy Steve): Before he was Spencer Shay on iCarly, he was the unstable employee at the movie theater. Jerry is still acting and remains a fan favorite for his high-energy comedic style.
The 2017 Wedding Drama: The Feud That Broke the Internet
For years, fans assumed Drake and Josh were best friends in real life. We wanted to believe the brotherhood was real. But in 2017, the illusion shattered.
Josh Peck got married to Paige O'Brien. Drake Bell was not invited.
Drake took to Twitter (now X) to vent his frustrations, saying, "Loyalty is moving on. Today the message is loud and clear. Ties are officially cut. I'll miss you brother." It was the digital equivalent of a grenade going off in the middle of our childhoods.
They eventually made up—or at least reached a polite truce—at the MTV Video Music Awards later that year. But the dynamic has never quite been the same. Josh’s memoir, Happy People Are Annoying, shed some light on this, explaining that they weren't actually that close after the show ended. They were coworkers who liked each other, but they weren't the inseparable brothers we saw on screen. It’s a tough pill for fans to swallow, but it’s the reality of the workplace.
Why This Show Still Holds Up
So, why are we still talking about these people twenty years later?
It’s the writing. It’s the physical comedy. It’s the fact that the show didn't talk down to kids. The actors on Drake and Josh had a specific type of comedic timing that was reminiscent of I Love Lucy or The Abbott and Costello Show. It was broad, it was loud, and it was genuinely funny.
💡 You might also like: Kate Moss Family Guy: What Most People Get Wrong About That Cutaway
Even today, clips of the show go viral on TikTok. "I ain't calling you a liar, but I ain't calling you a truther" is a permanent part of the internet’s lexicon. The show has a "rewatchability" factor that most modern sitcoms lack. Whether it’s the "Gamesphere" (it's spherical!) or the foam finger incident, these moments are baked into the cultural DNA of Gen Z and Millennials.
Moving Forward: Lessons from the Cast
Looking at the trajectories of these actors offers some pretty solid life lessons if you look closely enough.
- Reinvention is Necessary: Josh Peck didn't stay the same person. He changed his health, his career path, and his platform. If you’re stuck, you have to be willing to shed your old skin.
- Education Matters: Miranda Cosgrove taking time off for college gave her a perspective outside of the Hollywood bubble, which likely contributed to her long-term stability.
- The Past is Complex: Drake Bell’s revelations about his childhood remind us that we never truly know what's happening behind the scenes of our favorite "happy" shows.
- Workplace Friends Aren't Always Forever: It’s okay if you don't stay best friends with the people you worked with ten years ago. Life happens. People grow apart.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the nostalgia, most of the series is currently streaming on Paramount+ and Hulu. Watching it as an adult is a different experience—you start to realize just how much Walter was actually struggling to keep that household together.
To stay updated on what the cast is doing now, following their social media is your best bet. Josh Peck’s podcast, Good Guys, often features guests from the era, and Miranda Cosgrove is constantly sharing behind-the-scenes looks at her current projects. The era of the "Premiere" might be over, but the impact of these actors isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the Quiet on Set documentary if you want a deeper, more serious look at the environment these actors grew up in.
- Listen to Josh Peck's memoir on audiobook—he narrates it himself, and it’s surprisingly vulnerable.
- Revisit the "Drake & Josh Go Hollywood" TV movie; it’s arguably the peak of the series’ production value and comedic timing.