Erik Per Sullivan, who portrayed the beloved Dewey in “Malcolm in the Middle,” has been spotted in public for the first time in 18 years, coinciding with news that his character will be recast in an upcoming Disney+ revival.
Now 33, Sullivan was just seven when he first appeared as part of the chaotic Wilkerson family alongside Frankie Muniz, Justin Berfield, Christopher Masterson, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek. The series ran for six years following the family’s growth and development before concluding in 2006.
Sullivan has maintained a low profile since the show ended. He hadn’t been photographed publicly since 2007, and his final acting credit was in the 2010 crime-drama “Twelve” when he was 18.
As Muniz continues to build anticipation for the upcoming Disney+ revival, the former youngest Wilkerson was recently photographed in Boston. Paparazzi captured Sullivan getting coffee on March 26, revealing a much different appearance than fans remember – notably with darker hair and, naturally, as a full-grown adult.
Currently a graduate student studying Victorian Literature, Sullivan has opted not to return for the new series despite the rest of his on-screen family confirming their participation. Cranston and Kaczmarek will reprise their roles as parents Hal and Lois, with Masterson returning as eldest son Francis, alongside Berfield as Reese and Muniz as Malcolm. Rather than omitting Dewey, the character will be recast.
Kaczmarek previously discussed Sullivan’s departure from acting, telling fan site Malcolm France that the former actor is “very, very well” but simply lost interest in performing. “He did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14,” she explained. “He wasn’t interested in acting, at all.”
She added that she admires Sullivan for pursuing his own passions “because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world. It’s not for everyone.”