Celebrities

Drake Bell seen sucking on balloon possibly filled with nitrous oxide: report

Drake Bell has been spotted weeks after he went missing, appearing to be sucking on a balloon — potentially getting high, TMZ reported.

Photos from April 25 show Bell, 36, in his parked car outside his home in Los Angeles, apparently inhaling from a fully inflated balloon, according to TMZ.

A canister that resembles a nitrous oxide container could be seen in the car, the outlet alleged.

The following day, on April 26, Bell was photographed stepping out with a friend in Malibu.

The Post has reached out to Bell’s representatives for comment.

Huffing nitrous oxide is a popular way of getting high without using hard drugs — especially among Gen Z — though it’s extremely dangerous.

Also referred to as “laughing gas,” “whippits” and “hippy crack,” nitrous oxide is legally sold in single-use silver “cracker” canistersdispensed into balloons and inhaled to create a temporary feeling of head rush, relaxation and euphoria.

However, it is illegal to inhale nitrous oxide recreationally.

Photos from April 25 show Drake Bell in his parked car outside his home in Los Angeles, seemingly inhaling from a fully inflated balloon. TheImageDirect.com
Drake Bell was spotted for the first time since he was reported missing earlier this month. TheImageDirect.com

UK neurologist Dr. David Nicholl recently said in an interview with South West News Service that he currently considers nitrous oxide “a bigger health risk than cocaine” due to how prevalent it is.

“I have a patient every few years because of cocaine, but one every week due to nitrous oxide,” he said.

This isn’t the first time Bell was seen sucking on a balloon.

Drake Bell was seen appearing to be sucking on a balloon and potentially getting high, according to TMZ. TheImageDirect.com

In December 2022, the Daily Mail reported that the “Drake & Josh” star was seen huffing an inflated balloon for more than 30 minutes in his parked car — while his son was in the back seat.

Earlier this month, Bell was reported “missing and endangered,” though it was initially unclear why cops were concerned for his well-being.

He reportedly had a falling out with his estranged wife, Janet Von Schmeling, before he went missing and told his family he was going to get drunk and hang himself, according to a 911 call obtained by TMZ.

Photos from April 25 show Drake Bell in and near his parked car outside of his Los Angeles home. TheImageDirect.com

Since then, Schmeling filed for divorce from the former child star, which he claims he found out about when the news broke on TMZ.

In the 911 call, an officer from the Orlando Police Department was speaking to someone in another department to try to get a location on the Nickelodeon star’s cell phone.

The cop described the circumstance as a “possible attempted suicide” and explained, “Basically, there is a celebrity who had a falling out with his wife.”

TMZ alleged that a canister that resembles a nitrous oxide container could be seen in the car. TheImageDirect.com

Law enforcement later confirmed that Bell was OK and in touch with cops.

“At this time, we can confirm law enforcement officials are in contact and Mr. Bell is safe,” the Daytona Beach Police Department wrote on Facebook.

A fan of Bell previously told TMZ that he had seen the actor on Tuesday at SeaWorld in Orlando with his son.

Huffing nitrous oxide is a popular way of getting high without using hard drugs. TheImageDirect.com

The fan said that Bell seemed to be doing fine and was “nice and soft-spoken” when approached.

Bell has been at the center of several allegations of abuse, including accusations from a woman who previously had been in a relationship with him.

Bell is shown in his car earlier this week. Also referred to as “laughing gas,” “whippits” and “hippy crack,” nitrous oxide is legally sold in single-use silver “cracker” canisters, dispensed into balloons and inhaled to create a temporary feeling of head rush, relaxation and euphoria. TheImageDirect.com

He also recently finished probation for an attempted child endangerment case with a 15-year-old girl, to which he pleaded guilty.

Bell filed for bankruptcy in 2014 and was arrested for driving under the influence in 2015.