“Yes. No. Maybe. I don’t know. Can you repeat the question?”
At the dawn of the 21st century,Malcolm in the Middledebuted on Fox. The popular, dark-humored television show — centered around the maladjusted Wilkerson family — represents the traditionalmiddle-class American family home, equipped with its own set of problems.
Created by Linwood Boomer, it stars Jane Kaczmarek as the mother Lois, Bryan Cranston as the father Hal, and their five sons: Francis (Christopher Kennedy Masterson), Reese (Justin Berfield), Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan), and Jamie (Lukas Rodriguez). The show’s titular character, Malcolm, an adolescentgenius with an IQ of 165and a photographic memory, consistentlybreaks the fourth wall, via both voice-over narration and addressing the viewer directly on camera, in an attempt to be more relatable.
After attracting widespread praise from critics and audiences alike,Malcolm in the Middleremained a popular but polarizing show on Fox for seven whole seasons, from 2000 to 2006. It earned 33 Emmy nominations, and won seven Emmy Awards, a Peabody, and a Grammy. The series masterfully blends waggish humor with genuinely tender moments to perfectly depict the average American family life. Now, more than two decades after it first aired, the dynamic cast has traveled down their own individual paths, with some in the spotlight more than others. From designing handmade jewelry to a neo-Western hit, here’s where some of theMalcolm in the Middlecast is up to today.
Craig Lamar Traylor Is a Motivated Artist
Traylor playedMalcolm’s beloved best friend Stevie Kenarban, a wheelchair user with a kind heart and a geeky persona. Traylor continued in acting with several minor roles (Matilda,Get a Clue,Fred & Vinnie), then he eventually found his true passion in the form of wire-wrapped jewelry, a popular type of handmade art that he believes “tames the soul.” Traylor has recently expressed an interest in returning to acting, though his apparent success in artistic jewelry and tattooing seems to be taking up most of his time.
Higgins (Joe in the sitcomEllen) plays Craig Feldspar, Lois’ overly-obsessive colleague who is completely smitten with her. Following the show, Higgins joined the cast of Nickelodeon’sBig Time Rushas the loud-mouth manager of a Los Angeles apartment complex. He also played a recurring character inMike & Molly, and landed notable roles inAmerican Horror Story: Murder House,Last Man Standing,and CBS’sB Positive. He lives with his wife and two children in Studio City, California.
Justin Berfield Became a CCO
InMalcolm in the Middle, Berfield plays Reese, the eldest and dimwitted brother who keeps causing trouble. Following the sitcom, he appeared as a voice actor in several popular animated shows, such asKim PossibleandThe Fairly Oddparents. His presence in bigger films also helped to credit his name, including his role inMax Keeble’s Big Move.
Unlike other cast members on this list, Justin Berfield transformed his career from an actor to a high-ranking business manager in 2010, becoming the Chief Creative Officer of Virgin Produced, a film and television production company, and amassing a net worth of over $10 million. He also enjoys investing in real estate, and is active with several charities, namely St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Virgin Unite.
Erik Per Sullivan Keeps a Very Low Profile
Little industry information has been documented about Erik Per Sullivan since the actor’s final appearance as Timmy in the 2010 filmTwelve, alongside Chase Crawford, 50 Cent, and Zoë Kravitz. He is mostly famous for playing Dewey Wilkerson, who is much quieter and less rambunctious than his older brothers.
Related:What Happened to Erik Per Sullivan?
Before officially retiring from the media industry, Sullivan appeared in films such asUnfaithful,Wendigo,Joe Dirt, andChristmas with the Kranks. He also voiced the seahorse Sheldon inFinding Nemo.The former actor has been noted as missing at multipleMalcolm in the Middlereunions, even virtual ones. He has no social media presence whatsoever, and his only known hobbies are playing the piano and the alto saxophone.
Need a DJ? Call Christopher Kennedy Masterson
Masterson portrays Francis, the family’s eldest son and problem child, who begins the series in military school. He also directed one of the show’s episodes in 2006. The actor is also known for his involvement in several comedy films, such asMy Best Friend’s WeddingandScary Movie 2.
His final film role came in the 2016 thrillerBeneath the Leaves, as George,opposite Mira Sorvino.The former actor then decided to effectively change career paths, choosing to solely focus on his rising occupation as a disc jockey. His siblings areThe Walking Dead’s Alanna Masterson andThat 70s Show’s andThe Ranch’s Danny Masterson.
Fun fact: Aaron Paul auditioned for the role of Francis. He would later be cast inBreaking Bad, opposite Cranston.
Jane Kaczmarek Is an Acting Mom
“[BeforeMalcolm] I couldn’t even get auditions for comedies. I played very unfunny people.”
Starring as the family’s outspoken and overbearing matriarch, Jane Kaczmarek’s role as Lois Wilkerson is one of the most recognized portrayals in the sitcom. Incidentally, the Emmy-nominated actress now has six children of her own.
She has appeared in several notable television roles, namely inElsewhere, Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Party of Five,Frasier, Felicity, Law & Order: SVU, Playing House,Raising the Bar, andThe Big Bang Theory.She also played Mrs. Philips onThis Is Usin 2018 and Eleanor onMixed-ishin 2019.Some of her more recent movie roles include the 2018 drama6 Balloonsand the 2020 dramedyKilling Eleanor.
Say Bryan Cranston’s Name
SinceMalcolm in the Middle,Bryan Cranston has become a household name. In the show, he plays the obnoxious yet good-hearted patriarch of the family, Hal Wilkerson. As diehardBreaking Badfans are aware, the actor went on to portray the ruthless drug manufacturer, Walter White. Cranston has since received numerous accolades and nominations, such as an Oscar nomination forTrumbo,and two Tony awards forAll The WayandNetwork.
RELATED:Malcolm in the Middle’s Most Anarchic Moments, Ranked
His film appearances includeLittle Miss Sunshine(2006),Argo(2012),Godzilla(2014), andThe Upside(2017). He also voiced characters inMadagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted(2012),Kung Fu Panda 3(2016), andIsle of Dogs(2018). Cranston reprised his fan-favorite role as Walter White in the 2019El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, and in the final season of the prequel seriesBetter Call Saul.He has partnered with his co-star Aaron Paul in the production of their own mescal brand, and has published a memoir titled A Life in Parts.
Frankie Muniz Became a Race Car Driver
Frankie Muniz received widespread praise and success as Malcolm Wilkerson, a gifted genius with a cynical approach to the world. WhenMalcolm in the Middleofficially ended on Fox, Muniz had already starred in major films, such asAgent Cody BanksandBig Fat Liar.He also acted in several more films, such asWalk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007),Extreme Movie (2008),Another Day in Paradise(2016), andThe Black String(2018). Not to mention his appearances onCriminal Minds(2007) andLast Man Standing(2012),The Rookie(2021) andNew Amsterdam(2022).
From 2012 to 2014, he played the drums with the indie rock group Kingsfoil. He has also leaped into the world of open-wheel racing, competing in the Atlantic Championship, and joining Rette Jones Racing for the 2023 season of the ARCA Menards Series.
