Drake Bell Finalises Divorce From Janet Von Schmeling: ‘Parenting Son Is Top Priority'
Drake Bell has taken the final legal steps to end his marriage to Janet Von Schmeling. Both remain focused on co-parenting their son with love and respect.
Drake & Josh star Drake Bell is officially closing the chapter on his marriage to Janet Von Schmeling. Public records show the actor filed new legal documents in Seminole County, Florida, on Thursday, August 14, marking the latest step in the divorce process.
The move follows Von Schmeling's 2023 filing in Los Angeles County, where she cited 'irreconcilable differences." The couple, who married in 2018, had been separated for more than a year.
Manager confirms legal step is procedural
Bell's manager, Juan José Rovirosa, confirmed the latest filing is a routine step in finalising the process. Speaking to PEOPLE, Rovirosa explained, 'At this stage, both of them are simply concluding that legal process."
He added that both Bell and Von Schmeling are handling the separation with maturity and keeping their child's well-being at the center of their decisions. 'Their priority remains the safety and well-being of their son, and they are doing so from a place of love and respect," Rovirosa said. He described the separation as 'closing a beautiful chapter of their lives."
Co-parenting as a shared commitment
Bell himself discussed his approach to co-parenting on the July 2 episode of The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby. The actor said he wants his 4-year-old son, Jeremy, to always feel surrounded by love.
'So I don't care if I'm angry at my ex-wife or at his mom, which is very rare, actually never…all my son knows […] is that me and his mom love each other, we're not together but we love each other and we respect each other and we love him unconditionally," Bell shared.
He also stressed the importance of consistency: 'When he's like, 'Oh, I miss mama…'[It's like], 'I love mama too.' It's all that I want him to hear." He continued, 'She's the same way…We only praise each other. I only praise his mom."
A look back at their relationship
Bell and Von Schmeling dated for five years before marrying in 2018. He kept the marriage private until 2021, when he confirmed it publicly. By 2023, Von Schmeling had filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, beginning the process that has now reached its final stages.
According to Rovirosa, Bell is now focusing his energy on music and ongoing projects, while both parents remain dedicated to co-parenting. The filings suggest the couple is working toward wrapping up the legalities without conflict, keeping the focus on their son's well-being above all else.
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August 18, 2025, 17:39 IST
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