Josh Peck, known for his role as Josh Nichols in the Nickelodeon sitcom "Drake & Josh," has disclosed the salary he earned during the show's four-season run from 2004 to 2007. In an appearance on the "Financial Tea with Mrs. Dow Jones" podcast, Peck stated that the lead actors did not receive residuals from the show.
Peck explained that the actors began with a salary of $3,000 per episode on "The Amanda Show," which served as a precursor to "Drake & Josh." By the end of "Drake & Josh," which comprised 60 episodes in total, the average rate per episode was approximately $15,000. Over the four years of production, this amounted to roughly $900,000 for each of the two main stars. However, Peck clarified that this figure was before agent fees, management costs, and taxes, resulting in the actors clearing about half of the total sum. This equated to an annual income of approximately $125,000.
"Drake & Josh" was a commercial success for Nickelodeon, with its premiere episode drawing 3.2 million viewers and consistently ranking among the most-watched series in its demographic. The show, created by Dan Schneider, centered on the lives of stepbrothers Drake Parker, played by Drake Bell, and Josh Nichols, played by Peck.
Peck reflected on how this financial experience shaped his perspective, stating that he maintained a deep-seated fear of being broke. "If you have it ingrained in you that you never want to be broke again, you will run like your pants are on fire for as long as you can," he said. He added that this insecurity drove much of his career decisions.
The series concluded with the television special "Really Big Shrimp" in September 2007, followed by a one-time special, "Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh," in 2008. The cast also included Nancy Sullivan and Jonathan Goldstein as Drake's mother and Josh's father, respectively, and Miranda Cosgrove as Drake's sister. A number of recurring actors also featured throughout the show's run.
This revelation comes in the context of discussions surrounding the experiences of child stars in the entertainment industry. In 2022, Drake Bell shared his story of being sexually abused as a teenager by dialogue coach Brian Peck, who was not related to Josh Peck. Bell detailed this experience in the 2024 docuseries "Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV." Brian Peck pleaded no contest to child sexual abuse charges in 2003 and was sentenced to 16 months in prison, requiring him to register as a sex offender.
Bell stated in the documentary that he was the unidentified minor who came forward with allegations. He later expressed that the support he received from fans following the docuseries premiere was "incredible" and acknowledged the emotional difficulty of sharing his story. He also noted that many people came forward to share their own experiences in response to the series. Drake Bell has also indicated that he and Peck have discussed the possibility of a "Drake & Josh" reboot.