Former Nickelodeon star Lori Beth Denberg has recently come forward with disturbing allegations of an abusive friendship she experienced with producer Dan Schneider during their time working together on the popular show All That. In an interview with Business Insider, Denberg detailed a series of troubling incidents involving Schneider, including bursts of anger, exposure to explicit material, and sexual misconduct.
Denberg, who joined All That in 1994 at the age of 17, revealed that her relationship with Schneider turned sexual when she was around 19 years old. She described feeling vulnerable and inexperienced at the time, as Schneider was not only her boss but also a decade older than her. Denberg explained that she initially didn’t perceive the incidents as inappropriate due to her age, but later recognized the unhealthy power dynamics at play.
According to Denberg, the first instance where she felt Schneider “preyed” on her occurred around her 19th birthday. Schneider, angered by a female producer discussing Denberg’s weight gain, showed her explicit material, including a video involving bestiality. Denberg also recounted numerous phone conversations with Schneider that often veered into sexual topics, with one instance where he attempted to initiate phone sex.
Denberg further disclosed that she frequently stayed overnight at Schneider’s house, where they would engage in massages but not sexual activities. However, she claimed that Schneider would play pornography on his computer during these encounters. Denberg also shared several stories of Schneider’s alleged outbursts both on and off set, indicating a pattern of abusive behavior.
One particularly bizarre incident involved Schneider asking Denberg to accompany him to a car repair shop. Denberg alleged that Schneider possessed a gun and, when pulled over by a police officer due to an issue with his car tags, he allegedly handed the weapon to her, which she concealed under her skirt during the interaction.
In response to Denberg’s claims, Schneider issued a statement dismissing them as “wildly exaggerated and, in most cases, false.” While acknowledging past mistakes and poor judgment, Schneider denied the specific allegations made by Denberg. He expressed regret for any harm caused but maintained that he cannot apologize for actions he did not commit.
It is worth noting that Schneider has faced previous allegations, including gender discrimination, racial bias in casting, inappropriate jokes, and requesting massages from employees. These issues were highlighted in the recent docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. Following the series’ airing, Schneider issued an apology but also filed a defamation lawsuit, asserting that the show misled viewers into believing he had been accused of sexual abuse, which has not been the case thus far.
1 Response
I am so sorry to hear about Lori Beth Denberg’s experience. It’s important to support survivors and shed light on these issues. If you or someone you know is dealing with the aftermath of abuse or trauma, I highly recommend seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor specializing in trauma recovery. They can provide the necessary support and guidance to heal and move forward. Remember, you are not alone, and there are resources available to help you through difficult times.