“Malcolm In The Middle” Star Makes Rare Public Appearance, And He Hasn’t Changed A Bit

Malcolm in the Middle will soon begin filming a four-episode reboot for Disney+. Much of the original cast signed on for the project including Frankie Munez, who played Malcolm, and Brian Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek, who played his parents. Chris Masterson and Justin Berfield will also return to the new show as brothers Francis and Reese. But one original star repeatedly had no interest in coming back. Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey in the original Malcolm in the Middle series, retired from acting long ago. For the first time in 18 years, photographers caught a photo of Per Sullivan grabbing coffee in Boston.

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Sure, all of the characters have changed in the nearly 19 years since Malcolm in the Middle wrapped. But seeing Dewey as a man shocked some people. He seemed happy in a sweater and pants and fully content not being a part of the Hollywood scene anymore.

Although Erik is out of Hollywood, he still keeps up with his former co-stars. In a 2024 interview, Jane gave an update on the man who played her son Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle.

“He’s very, very well,” she said. “He did Malcolm for seven years. He started at 7, he ended at 14. He wasn’t interested in acting at all.”

Jane added it’s not easy to be a child star, and there’s nothing wrong with deciding that the entertainment business isn’t for you. “So many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world. It’s not for everyone.” 

According to Variety, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will take on the role of Dewey in the Malcolm In The Middle reboot.

Frankie Muniz dropped a carrot on X about the new show on April 2, “Just landed in Vancouver to start working on Malcolm tomorrow. But I have no clothes because  @AmericanAir lost my luggage.”

This story’s featured image is by Vince Bucci/Getty Images.