The prodigal son returns.
Frankie Muniz made an unexpected return to Hollywood to film the Malcolm in the Middle revival series, and the former child actor exclusively tells Page Six that the experience was “surreal.”
“I quit acting in 2006 just because I wanted to pursue (auto) racing,” said Muniz, now 40.
After rising to fame on the Fox sitcom and films such as 2003’s “Agent Cody Banks,” the professional NASCAR driver moved to Arizona, where he now lives with his wife, Paige, and their 4-year-old son, Maus.
There he enjoys “the little things” and rides “mountain bikes”. Muniz also said that his time away from Hollywood “gave me a greater appreciation for life in general.”
But he told Page Six that he “loved” returning to Hollywood to film Hulu’s new miniseries Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, and that he was “really proud to be an actor” while on set.
The original sitcom aired from 2000 to 2006 and followed Malcolm (Muñiz) and his family: father Hal (Bryan Cranston), mother Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), brothers Frances (Christopher Masterson), Reese (Justin Barfield), and Dewey (Old Man). (played by Eric Per Sullivan in the original show), and the dysfunctional antics of Caleb (Ellsworth-Clark in the revival) and Jamie (played by twins James and Lucas Rodriguez in the original show and Anthony Timpano in Unfair).
This revival follows an adult Malcolm and his daughter (Keeley Kirsten) as they reunite with their parents to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
In the years after the original show ended, Muniz was in most frequent contact with Cranston, he told Page Six.
“The main reason for that is that he’s just a great guy, (on top of) all the crazy success and fame he’s had since ‘Malcolm.’ He’s always been like a father figure to me.”
Muniz said the “Breaking Bad” star “checks in from time to time and we have dinner and things like that.”
He said he hadn’t had much contact with the other cast members over the years, but “it was amazing to reunite with everyone.”
The “Big Fat Liar” actor compared the cast’s relationships to “summer camp.” “I meet great friends and think, ‘We’re going to be best friends,’ but then when I get home, I gradually lose touch with them.” That friendship hasn’t disappeared. Life just takes over. And then you realize, ‘Oh my god, it’s been 20 years! ”
One person the cast was unable to reunite with was Per Sullivan, who quit acting to attend Harvard University. Regarding his absence from Easter, Muniz said: “To be honest, I haven’t talked to Eric. The last time we spoke was probably 10 years ago. He’s just focused on his studies. I like the fact that he was able to stay out of the spotlight.”
Cranston reached out to Per Sullivan, who “gave his blessing” to recast the role, Muniz explained.
Revisiting the world of “Malcolm” 20 years later was “incredible,” he said.
As for whether his return to acting is a one-time thing, Muniz told Page Six, “I’m not saying ‘no’ to acting. I want to continue being an actor. But I’m pursuing (auto) racing full-time and that’s my focus right now. At 40 years old, I’m one of the oldest drivers and my time is limited.”
“Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair” is available on Hulu and Disney+.
