Bryan Hearne reveals He Was Called a ‘Piece of Charcoal’ at Nickelodeon

Former Nickelodeon child star Bryan Hearne has revealed disturbing experiences during his time on the network’s sketch-comedy series “All That.”

In a candid interview ahead of the release of Investigation Discovery’s docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” Hearne disclosed instances of racial stereotyping and derogatory remarks directed at him, including being called a ‘piece of charcoal.’

Reflecting on his time on “All That,” Hearne expressed discomfort with racially stereotyped roles and recalled feeling marginalized as one of the few Black actors on the show.

He highlighted instances where he was cast as a ‘drug dealer’ and a rapper named “Lil Fetus,” adding that the experience left a lasting impact on him.

Hearne also shed light on the demanding and sometimes degrading conditions he faced while working on Nickelodeon, particularly on shows like “On-Air Dare.”

He described feeling pressured into participating in demeaning stunts, such as being covered in peanut butter for dogs to lick off, without any opportunity to refuse.

Furthermore, Hearne discussed feeling overlooked and treated differently from his non-Black counterparts, noting that his relationship with series creator Dan Schneider was virtually non-existent.

However, he found solace in his friendship with fellow cast member Giovonnie Samuels.

Today, Hearne is an advocate for better protection of child actors on set, working through his non-profit organization, the Urban Poets Society.

He hopes that by sharing his story and participating in projects like “Quiet on Set,” awareness will be raised about the challenges faced by young performers in the entertainment industry and that necessary changes will be implemented to ensure their well-being.