NEED TO KNOW
- Drake Bell has taken steps to finalize his divorce from Janet Von Schmeling
- Bell and Von Schmeling tied the knot in 2018 after dating for five years
- Von Schmeling initiated divorce proceedings in Los Angeles County in 2023
Drake Bell is taking the next steps in finalizing his divorce from wife Janet Von Schmeling.
The Drake & Josh actor, 39, filed new documents amid the ongoing divorce process in Seminole County, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 14, public court records show.
The latest filing follows a 2023 divorce filing from Von Schmeling in Los Angeles County in 2023. At the time, Von Schmeling, 31, cited “irreconcilable differences,” according to the dissolution of marriage petition filed with the court.
In an email statement to PEOPLE, Bell’s manager, Juan José Rovirosa, said the star’s recent filing is “simply concluding the legal process” that began with Von Schmeling’s 2023 filing.
“At this stage, both of them are simply concluding that legal process,” he said, adding that the former couple is currently focused on the well-being of their 4-year-old child, Jeremy.
Rovirosa continued, “Their priority remains the safety and well-being of their son, and they are doing so from a place of love and respect.” He also said Bell and Von Schmeling are “closing a beautiful chapter of their lives.”
PEOPLE reached out to Bell’s attorney for comment on Saturday, Aug. 16, but did not receive an immediate response.
Bell and Von Schmeling dated for five years before tying the knot in 2018, though Bell did not publicly announce the marriage until 2021.
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Bell recently opened up about his experience co-parenting with Von Schmeling while appearing on the July 2 episode of The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby.
During the conversation, the musician said that he always makes sure his son knows that he and his ex still have love for each other.
“So I don’t care if I’m angry at my ex-wife or at his mom, which is very rare, actually never, or if we have a disagreement about something or if there’s anything — 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 and whenever he’s with me, ‘His mama loves him, mama’s amazing,’ ” Bell said on the podcast.
“When he’s like, ‘Oh, I miss mama, I miss mama. Oh, I love mama. [It’s like], ‘I love mama too.’ It’s all that I want him to hear,” he further explained. “She’s the same way. I’m like, we always make sure if we’re upset at each other, he doesn’t hear it. We only praise each other. I only praise his mom.”
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On the professional front, Bell is currently “fully focused on his music and ongoing projects,” his manager said.
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