This Child Star Suffered a Stroke and Began to Lose His Memory — Inside His Life after Hollywood Pause

• This multitalented actor, who began his acting career at the tender age of eight, enjoyed a successful run as a child actor before deciding to explore other interests.
• Later, he began experiencing episodes of mini-strokes and memory lapses, but he never allowed these health challenges to deter him, choosing instead to maintain a positive outlook.
• Today, he is a dedicated family man, cherishing his wife and son, and despite his success as an actor, he does not wish for his son to follow in his footsteps in the acting industry.

He was born on December 5, 1985, in New Jersey to a nurse and a restaurant owner. His father had Puerto Rican roots, while his mother was of Irish and Italian ancestry. He displayed a talent for performing from an early age. He embarked on his acting journey at the mere age of eight, but it was at 13 that he rose to prominence.

He won the hearts of many through his role in the Fox comedy TV series, "Malcolm in the Middle." As the main character, he captivated audiences nationwide from 2000 to 2006. The series, which spanned 150 episodes, rapidly gained a loyal fan base.

"Malcolm in the Middle" was a highly popular and humorous family show in the early 2000s. The series centered around the life of a dysfunctional lower-middle-class family, with Frankie Muniz in the starring role as Malcolm, the family's prodigy.

The character of Malcolm's father, Hal, was portrayed by Bryan Cranston, while his mother, Lois, was played by Jane Kaczmarek. His brothers, Francis, Reese, and Dewey, were brought to life by Christopher Masterson—younger brother to Danny Masterson—Justin Berfield, and Erik Per Sullivan, respectively.

Besides his live-action roles, this actor also contributed his voice to the animated series "The Fairly OddParents." His abilities extended beyond television. He established himself in Hollywood with parts in films such as "My Dog Skip," "Big Fat Liar," "Agent Cody Banks"—which also featured Hilary Duff—and "Stay Alive."

Even with his hectic schedule, he ensures to balance his personal life and other pursuits. He is happily married and a devoted father to a child. In 2018, the actor and his then-fiancée, who is now his wife, embarked on a new business venture. They acquired a specialty store in Old Town Scottsdale named Outrageous Olive Oils & Vinegars.

The small store, which stocked premium olive oils and aged balsamic vinegar, stood in sharp contrast to the Hollywood glamor usually associated with him. However, it was in this unlikely setting that the actor discovered a new passion.

He relished the financial aspects, stating, "I love doing payroll. I love doing anything with the financials. I'm a numbers guy, so this has been like a dream come true for me." This versatile individual is none other than Frankie Muniz, celebrated for his multifaceted talents and diverse ventures beyond his acting pursuits.

Running the store alongside his life and business partner, Paige Price, he took on an active role in their first business venture. From overseeing inventory to welcoming new customers to the store, Muniz was involved in all aspects of the business.

Price complemented Muniz’s abilities, taking on the tasks of selecting inventory, managing social media, and maintaining the store's website. Together, they became a formidable team, each making up for the other's areas of improvement. Muniz announced in August 2020, that they had sold the store and had moved on to a new adventure.

Outside of his acting career and running an olive oil store, Muniz has various other interests. He is an enthusiastic golfer, having been trained by his grandfather at the age of five. He also played drums in two different rock bands. But perhaps his most exhilarating passion is car racing.

Muniz's fascination with speed began in 2001, shortly after he obtained his driver's license. In 2004, he took part in the Pro/Celebrity race at the Long Beach Grand Prix. The following year, he returned to secure first place among the celebrity drivers. In 2006, he was back, this time aiming to win as a Pro driver.

In early 2006, Muniz inked a two-year contract with Jensen Motorsport. He competed in the Formula BMW USA championship that year, and in 2007, he was behind the wheel of car #13 in the Champ Car Atlantic series. By 2008, Muniz was racing for the PCM/USRT team and making considerable progress in his racing career, securing a top-10 finish in three races.

At 38, Muniz remains passionate about car racing, choosing it as his primary pursuit while maintaining his connection to acting. His thoughtful Hollywood headshot, hand on chin, now doubles as his NASCAR ID. Amidst recent uncertainties, Muniz delayed revealing his 2024 racing agenda until February.

Last seen in the 2023 ARCA Series, he announced he was gearing up for his Xfinity Series debut with Joey Gase Racing's No. 35 Ford at Daytona. Muniz revealed that this year, he has no intentions of standing on the sidelines, and shared his intention to make a significant impact on the racing circuit itself.

With a burning desire to prove his worth in the ARCA series, known for its intense competition, Muniz views the challenge not as a reflection of self-doubt but as a personal obstacle to overcome. As Muniz becomes a more familiar presence in NASCAR garages, he finds a welcoming environment where veteran teams offer advice and support.

He likens his experience to the warmth shown to a newcomer in school, but Muniz questions whether this friendly ambiance will continue as he advances through the ranks. Even with the uncertainty of acceptance in this new field, it does not dampen his determination.

Muniz knows that there is a possibility of encountering indifference as he rises in NASCAR. However, he is ready to face the challenges that lie ahead and is unyielding in his goal to prove his worth as a car racer. Muniz shifted from acting to racing, driven by a desire to make the most of new opportunities.

One might wonder where his acting career would be if he hadn't chosen racing. Could it have been more successful, or perhaps not? It's hard to say. For Muniz, the sense of time passing quickly has always been present, even in his youth, pushing him to seize the opportunities that come his way.

Muniz has experienced numerous challenges in his life. From a tender age, he encountered a series of health complications. His first concussion happened at the age of 7 while he was playing as a goalie in a soccer game. Further concussions ensued during basketball and pee-wee football games and even a few while racing cars in his early 20s.

By 2017, Muniz had endured nine concussions, a fact he disclosed during an episode of "Dancing With the Stars." However, the concussions were merely the beginning of his health issues. Muniz also suffered from a series of mini-strokes, which involve temporary clots or blockages in the brain.

His first happened in 2012 while he was riding his motorcycle. That episode involved losing his peripheral vision, but he somehow managed to return home safely, although he barely recognized his then-girlfriend and mother. Despite numerous visits to emergency rooms and doctors' offices, Muniz's health issues largely remained a mystery.

The doctors performed a series of tests and ultimately diagnosed these episodes as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). TIAs are often caused by a small hole in the heart that allows clots to travel to the brain, resulting in a mini-stroke. However, Muniz did not have this condition. Despite his health challenges, Muniz remained undeterred and continued to pursue his passions.

He expressed with certainty that he didn't linger on the transient ischemic attacks. There was no fear in his heart, nor an urgent curiosity to understand more about the condition. His only desire was to move forward. 2017 was a significant year for him as it taught him the importance of living in the present.

He expressed satisfaction with his acting career, his decision to drive race cars, and his focus on music. It was later determined that he had been misdiagnosed and the attacks weren't TIA mini-strokes but aura migraines. In addition to the migraines, Muniz also struggled with memory issues.

He confessed to having little recollection of his six-year stint on "Malcolm in the Middle," including the experience of receiving his first Emmy nomination in 2001. This memory lapse became a focal point during his 2017 interview on "Dancing With the Stars" for their "Most Memorable Year" segment.

During the episode, the interviewer mentioned that his most memorable year was 2001. Due to his memory lapse, he was left speechless, and the editing of the interview implied that he had no recollection of anything.

Later in 2022, Muniz disclosed that the story surrounding his memory loss had been overstated. "Now if you search my name, it says I don't remember anything — like '50 First Dates,' my wife has to wake up every morning and play me a video," Muniz expressed.

He clarified that he had never forgotten his role as Malcolm and the various activities he undertook. He, however, acknowledged that he did not recall everything, but was more at ease discussing it due to a better understanding of his situation.

The exaggeration of his memory loss was such that common people would approach him and ask, "Do you know who you are? Your name is Frankie Muniz." Muniz's memory loss has been a huge part of his life, often reminded of it when others share past experiences he can't remember.

Yet, he doesn't dwell on the negative, accepting his unique perspective. He's never sought medical advice on this matter, choosing instead to focus on living in the present. His partner, Price, supported him by meticulously documenting their life together in a journal, which serves as a memory aid for Muniz.

"So she writes literally in detail — she's a writer too, so it works — like a journal that I can look at any day. It does bring me back there because there is really cool, amazing detail," he shared.

This detailed record helps him reconnect with forgotten moments and was a source of comfort. The couple's relationship began in 2016, leading to an engagement in 2018, and an intimate elopement in 2019. They celebrated their union in Puerto Rico, where Muniz has roots, engaging in philanthropy with the Rain and Rose Fund.

Their wedding on February 21, 2020, marked four years since their first encounter, a day Muniz recalls as the pinnacle of happiness. In 2020, they announced their pregnancy, and the subsequent birth of their son, Mauz Mosley Muniz, on March 22, 2021. Mauz, now three years old, has enriched their lives with love and responsibility.

Years after transitioning his focus from acting to racing, Muniz couldn't resist the allure of the spotlight. In 2019, he auditioned for the first time in two decades and secured a role in the thriller-mystery film "The Black String." In the film, Muniz portrayed Jonathan, a solitary convenience store clerk whose life spirals after a one-night stand.

The script captivated Muniz, prompting him to eagerly audition for the role. Despite his vast experience in the industry providing him with a sense of ease on set, he felt anxious about the audition. In 2021, Muniz faced a tough decision when he had to leave to film "The Surreal Life."

Leaving his wife and their six-month-old son, Mauz, for nearly three weeks was difficult. However, it was his wife, Price, who encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone. Reflecting on it, Muniz is appreciative of the experience. Even with the physical distance, Muniz treasured every moment he could spend with his family, even if it was virtually.

There were numerous memorable moments where his wife was allowed to join via video call. He got to see them and converse, despite the fun that unfolded at his home during his absence. Recently, Muniz returned to television through the competitive reality TV show "I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!" Australia.

Despite his own positive experiences in the entertainment industry, Muniz has made it clear that he would not let his son follow in his footsteps and become a child actor. He cited the negative experiences of many of his friends and the general ugliness of the world, particularly with the advent of social media, as reasons for his decision.

Muniz emphasized that the acting industry is not easy to break into and involves a lot of rejection, with luck playing a significant role in success. He wishes to shield his son from the industry's harsh realities.