'Malcolm in the Middle' Star Disappeared & Asked Co-stars to 'Keep Quiet' – What Happened to the Cast?

• Erik Per Sullivan played Dewey on the hit sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle," but he vanished after the show ended.
• Recently, one of his co-stars revealed that the former child actor asked them all to "keep quiet" about his life.
• Now, people are wondering what happened to him and what the rest of the cast is doing.

Erik Per Sullivan's disappearance from the public eye is more than intriguing. As the youngest in the cast, people expected him to be active on social media and in future acting projects. Instead, he asked to keep his private life hidden.

Meanwhile, the rest of the cast has taken various paths since the show's conclusion. Some continued their success in Hollywood while others had unexpected career changes or focused on their personal lives. Let's find out what all of them are doing now!

The Mystery of Erik Per Sullivan's Disappearance

The former child actor was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on July 12, 1991. As a kid, he was multi-talented. He held a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo and enjoyed activities like skiing, boogie boarding, and paintball.

Sullivan's acting career began with an uncredited role in the 1998 film "Armageddon," but his breakthrough came with his next two roles. The first one was Fuzzy in "The Cider House Rules" (1999).

In the second, he played Dewey, the youngest brother in the dysfunctional family of "Malcolm in the Middle." The show, which ran from 2000 to 2006, catapulted him to fame at a young age.

During his time on the series, Sullivan maintained his status as an honor student and enjoyed spending time with his classmates, balancing his education with his acting career.

After the show ended, he seemed to fade from the public eye. However, he didn't completely sever ties with his former co-stars.

In a collaboration with Jane Kaczmarek, who played his on-screen mother Lois, Sullivan wrote the afterword for a children's book called "Together." The book, inspired by Heifer International's mission, highlighted the importance of livestock in the world.

Recently, Kaczmarek shed some light on Sullivan's current life in an interview with Malcolm France, a YouTube channel dedicated to the sitcom. She revealed, "He's well, he's very, very well... He did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14. He wasn't interested in acting, at all."

The actress went on to disclose Sullivan's education. She added, "He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he's asked us all to be quiet about it, and he loves Charles Dickens. He's doing graduate work in Victorian literature."

Kaczmarek also praised Sullivan's choice. "I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world, it's not for everyone," she said.

When asked if Sullivan would ever appear at a fan convention, Kaczmarek firmly stated no. "I think he's a very grateful kid for Dewey. Dewey was beloved. [...] The creator of the show always knew he could always cut to a shot of Dewey and the scene was gonna work. There was something about that kid that was just incredible," the actress finished.

Mystery solved! But what about Kaczmarek herself and the rest of the cast? What are they doing? Let's find out!

Jane Kaczmarek Makes a Change

The actress was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 21, 1955. Her journey to stardom began at the University of Wisconsin, where she majored in theater and befriended Tony Shalhoub, who encouraged her to pursue an acting career.

Her personal life also flourished during this time. At Yale, she roomed with Kate Burton, Richard Burton's daughter, who later set her up on a blind date with Bradley Whitford. After two years of dating, Kaczmarek and Whitford married in 1992 and went on to have three children: Frances in 1997, George in 1999, and Mary Louisa in 2002.

"Malcolm in the Middle" remains her most famous role to this day. In a 2007 interview with Mommy Track'd, Kaczmarek revealed the hectic nature of those years:

"The seven years 'Malcolm' was on the air were extremely hectic... We had nannies standing by at all hours of the day because we rarely knew what our shooting schedules were."

Eventually, the demanding hours took a toll on her family life. "My daughter Frances once told me that the best news I could give her was that 'Malcolm' had been canceled. She screamed with joy the day they pulled the plug," the actress said.

After the show ended in 2006, Kaczmarek, then 52, embraced a slower pace of life and made a conscious decision to prioritize her family.

She said, "I actively turn down all job offers if I can't make them work with my schedule. I waited really long to have children, all three were born in my 40s and I want to spend as much time with them as I can."

Despite stepping back from the spotlight, Kaczmarek remained active in philanthropic efforts. In 2002, she and her husband founded the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. It's a non-profit organization that auctions off celebrity's old clothes.

The idea came after she noticed all the waste in Hollywood. She explained, "When you are a celebrity, you are showered with so many clothes and accessories and publicity that you don't need. Clothes Off Our Back seemed a good way to raise money for children's charities without bothering celebrities to spend more of their precious time."

The foundation has been a resounding success and has raised over $2 million for various international children's charities since its creation.

Regarding her acting career, Kaczmarek has had small cameos and arcs on TV shows over the years like "The Changeling" in 2023. She has also lent her voice to animated projects like "The Simpsons" and "Trolls: The Beat Goes On."

Frankie Muniz & NASCAR

The main character of the show was born on December 5, 1985, in Wood Ridge, New Jersey. His acting career began at a young age when he played Tiny Tim in "A Christmas Carol" for three years.

However, his breakthrough came with the role of Malcolm in "Malcolm in the Middle."

Beyond this famous show, Muniz lent his voice to the animated series "The Fairly Odd Parents" and starred in films such as "My Dog Skip," "Big Fat Liar," and "Agent Cody Banks." For a long time, he was set to become one of the biggest names in Hollywood.

However, he faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. He experienced his first concussion at age 7 while playing soccer, followed by several more during his youth and early adulthood.

By 2017, Muniz had endured nine concussions. He also suffered from a series of mini-strokes, initially diagnosed as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). These health issues led to memory problems, and the actor once commented that he couldn't recall a lot of his time on the show that put him on the map.

Despite these challenges, the actor maintained a positive outlook and discovered a real passion for professional car racing. In 2004, he participated in the Pro/Celebrity race at the Long Beach Grand Prix and won first place among celebrity drivers the following year.

Afterward, he progressed rapidly in this industry and competed in various championships and series.

His life also took other turns. In 2018, he and his then-fiancée (now wife) Paige Price ventured into business, acquiring a specialty store in Old Town Scottsdale named Outrageous Olive Oils & Vinegars.

They got married in February 2020 and ran the store until August 2020 when they sold it to pursue new adventures. The couple also welcomed their son in March 2021.

In February 2024, Muniz announced his plans to make his Xfinity Series debut with Joey Gase Racing's No. 35 Ford at Daytona. He also expressed his determination to make a significant impact on the racing circuit.

Now 38, Muniz has also done a few acting projects, including small TV shows arc and voice work. He starred in the film "The Black String" and appeared in the comedy "Half Baked: Totally High." But generally, the former child actor prefers to stay far from Hollywood.

What's more, he recently discussed his experience as a child star on Pedestrian TV's TikTok. "I would never let my kid go into the business," he assured. Despite his positive business experience, Muniz cited the "ugly world" of the entertainment industry and the constant rejection faced by actors as reasons to shield his kid from that business.

Therefore, this actor's path wasn't that different from Sullivan's, except for his appearances every once in a while. But there's one cast member who remained in the limelight and went on to star in one of the best TV series ever made.

Bryan Cranston Breaks Everything Bad

The actor, born on March 7, 1956, in Canoga Park, California, has become one of the most respected in Hollywood. After getting his big break with "Malcolm in the Middle," which earned him several Emmys, he went on to a bigger project.

Cranston became well-known for playing Walter White in the TV show "Breaking Bad," which started in 2008. He played a high school chemistry teacher who got lung cancer and started making drugs to take care of his family.

This complicated role earned him four Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series. This makes Cranston one of only a few actors who have won the award in three consecutive years.

Meanwhile, his success wasn't limited to television. He received both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his portrayal of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in the 2015 biopic "Trumbo," and his talent extended to the stage.

He won a Tony Award in 2014 for his portrayal of President Lyndon B. Johnson in "All The Way," a role he later reprised in the TV film adaptation.

Just like others in the cast, Cranston has lent his voice to animated features like "Kung Fu Panda 3" and "Kung Fu Panda 4." He also appeared in superhero films like "Power Rangers" and starred in indie dramas like "Wakefield."

In 2018, he received an Olivier Award for his role as newscaster Howard Beale in an adaptation of "Network" at London's National Theatre.

Regarding his personal life, Cranston has been married to Robin Dearden since 1989. The couple, who have a daughter named Taylor, met on the set of the TV series "Airwolf" in the 1980s.

The actor credits the success of their 34-year marriage to "marrying the right person." He also knows that partners don't need to be completely alike in everything.

Recently, Cranston announced his decision to take a year off from acting in 2026 to spend more time with his wife. "I want to slow it down," he revealed. "I want to have more life experiences, I want to travel, I want to feel it."

Even as the actor looks forward to a sabbatical, fans can anticipate seeing him in various future projects, and they can also enjoy his most recent work like "Argylle" and "Moscow Mule."

Christopher Masterson Chooses a Normal Life

The actor, born on January 22, 1980, in Long Island, New York, has carved out a successful and fulfilling life. While he is best known as the oldest brother, Francis, on "Malcolm in the Middle," he appeared in several other projects.

Fans may have seen him in the direct-to-video movie "Dragonheart: A New Beginning" (2000) and MTV's adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" in 2003. His film roles include leading parts in "Waterborne," "Made for Each Other," and "Intellectual Property," as well as a supporting role in "Scary Movie 2."

Aside from "Malcolm in the Middle," the actor guest-starred in three episodes of the sitcom "That '70s Show" with his brother, Danny Masterson. He also played Josh Roland in the USA Network series "White Collar" and had a brief appearance as Archie, the concierge, in the TBS series "Men at Work."

On a personal level, Masterson and his brother had several restaurant investments together. Meanwhile, their entire family was tied to entertainment. His half-sister, Alanna Masterson, and half-brother, Jordan Masterson, are both working actors.

Regarding his love life, he was in a relationship with Laura Prepon from "That '70s Show," from 1999 to 2007. Afterward, the actor never disclosed much about other romantic connections until he married actress Yolanda Pecoraro on June 25, 2019.

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Chiara, in April 2021. Pecoraro shared the joyous news on Instagram with the caption, "Chiara Darby Masterson, I love you!!!"

In 2023, they announced that their family was expanding once again. On Instagram, Masterson's wife wrote, "Our little family is growing… Baby #2 coming this summer! (It's a boy💙) [sic]."

For the most part, it seems that family is Masterson's main focus, as he hasn't had an acting credit since 2019.

Justin Berfield Gets behind the Camera

The actor was born on February 25, 1986, in Los Angeles, California. His life has intertwined with the entertainment industry since childhood.

While he's known for his role as Reese in "Malcolm in the Middle," Berfield was also Ross Malloy for five seasons in the 1990s WB comedy series "Unhappily Ever After."

His filmography also includes family-friendly movies such as "Mom, Can I Keep Her?" (1998), "The Kid with X-ray Eyes" (1999), and "Max Keeble's Big Move" (2001).

He's also known as "The Commercial Kid" for appearing in over 22 national television advertisements since he was a child.

However, Berfield's interests extended beyond acting. As he grew older, he began to explore producing and directing. In 2004, he formed J2 Pictures/J2TV, a film and television production company.

In 2010, he and Jason Felts were approached by Richard Branson to run Virgin Produced, a Los Angeles-based film and television development, packaging, and production company.

Through this business, Berfield took on the role of creating and producing original films and TV projects, as well as co-producing movies with Relativity/Rogue.

Outside of his professional life, the actor has shown a commitment to charitable causes. He served as an ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities from 2002 to 2004 and continues to support organizations like Virgin Unite and St. Jude's.

Berfield's personal life has also seen significant developments. In 2017, he married Liza Almeida, and the couple welcomed a daughter in 2021.

The actor shared the news on Instagram and wrote, "Becoming a father during a global pandemic has definitely made this transition interesting. But having the extra time to spend with this little one has been fine with us!"

When not working, he enjoys outdoor activities, particularly fishing, and shares his enthusiasm for these pursuits on social media.

As we've seen, the cast of "Malcolm in the Middle" has taken various paths since the show's end. From acting to producing, and racing cars to investing in academia, each of them seems to be living happily after the successful sitcom.

That's all any fan can truly hope for, so go check out the show on Disney+. Let us know which episode is your favorite!