The longstanding mystery surrounding the Malcolm in the Middle star who vanished from the Hollywood scene has been unraveled, with cast members previously instructed to remain silent about his location.
Malcolm in the Middle is undoubtedly one of the best sitcoms of the early 2000s, and I’m firm on this opinion.
This exceptional seven-season series, featuring Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, entertained fans from 2000 to 2006.
If you’re unfamiliar with the show (shame on you), here’s a quick summary.
The storyline centers around Malcolm Wilkerson, the intelligent middle child of a poor and chaotic family, as he navigates his teenage years.
The series boasted a cast of memorable characters including brothers Reese, Francis, and Dewey, mother Lois, and the notably quirky father Hal, portrayed by Bryan Cranston. Yes, Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston.
Before becoming Heisenberg, the master meth cook, Cranston played an impulsive and whimsical character immersed in his own world of absurdity.
However, it’s one of the brothers who has left fans curious about his life post-show.
Erik Per Sullivan, who portrayed younger brother Dewey, has been off the radar for years, but fans now have some insight into his life since then.
Jane Kaczmarek, who played the strict mother Lois, discussed the show in a YouTube video with Malcolm France.
Reflecting on Sullivan and his choice to leave Hollywood, she shared insights while many other cast members moved on to different projects.
“He is well, he is very very well,” she remarked.
“We did Malcolm [in the middle] for seven years, he started when he was seven, ended when he was 14, he wasn’t interested in acting at all.”
Indeed, she wasn’t exaggerating.
Since the show’s end in 2006, Sullivan has only added four more credits to his IMDB profile, with the latest from 2010.
“He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he has asked us all to be quiet about.
“He loves Charles Dickens, he is doing graduate work in Victorian literature.
“I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world and it’s not for everybody.”
Kaczmarek and the host concurred that numerous child actors often leave the profession despite early success.
She also mentioned that she doubts Sullivan would participate in conventions or fan meets, although he remains grateful for the show’s success.
Sullivan’s online activity is also minimal, with infrequent posts on his Instagram page.
But as long as he is happy and thriving, as Kaczmarek suggests, I’m sure that’s satisfactory for all Malcolm in the Middle enthusiasts, myself included.