Frankie Muniz wasn’t just a child star — he was one of the child stars of the early aughts. At 13, he became the brainy, wisecracking Malcolm in Malcolm in the Middle, a role that earned him Golden Globe and Emmy nods and turned him into one of the most recognizable faces on TV. By 15, he’d bought his first house. By 17, he was on red carpets and in L.A. clubs with Paris Hilton and the Hollywood It Crowd — though Muniz tells Us Weekly he was always the designated driver. “I felt like I’d lived 80 years already,” he recalls, “because I just did so much.”
Then, at the height of his fame, he did something no one expected: he walked away. Ready to try something new after years of nonstop work in front of the camera (“Between ages 8 and 21, I maybe had 60 days off,” he says), the actor traded scripts for speed, reinventing himself as a professional race car driver and later a touring musician. “I’m so lucky taking that step back happened, because it made me appreciate everything more,” he admits. “It allowed me to do other things and realize a lot more about myself.”
Now, just months from turning 40, Muniz bears little resemblance to the dorky middle child we watched navigate the pitfalls of high school and contend with his chaotic family every Sunday night for seven years. He’s a husband to model turned photographer Paige Muniz (who shot his Us Weekly cover story!), dad to 4-year-old son Mauz and a (hot!) full-time racer — while gearing up for a nostalgic return in Disney+’s long-awaited Malcolm in the Middle reboot. “I’m racing and I’m focused on it,” he says, “but I hope Malcolm comes out and people want to see me as an actor again, because I would love to go back in that world.”
Catching up with Us from his Scottsdale, Arizona, home on one of his rare days off (he’s only been there 22 days this year), Muniz opens up about the price of childhood fame, the freedom of starting over and why, after decades of transformation, he’s finally ready to be Malcolm again.
So how did the reboot come about?
I think I had put a Tweet out in 2015 [saying], “It would be so cool to see where Malcolm and his family are.” I couldn’t believe the response and how [many people] went crazy for that. I called [show creator] Linwood Boomer, and he was like, “No, I like how it ended.” Bryan Cranston [who played Malcolm’s dad, Hal] and I talked about it, and he took the lead in making it happen. It took 10 years.
Did you have any hesitation about signing on?
People go, “You don’t want to get pigeonholed [as] one character,” but I’m like, “Wherever I go in the world, people know Malcolm, and they love the show and that family.” I was in Mexico two months ago, and literally, people were crying to me [over] how it changed their family dynamic. The timing wasn’t perfect because I’m now a full-time NASCAR driver, but I wasn’t going to say no because of that.
Malcolm in the Middle’s plucky attitude made it one of the most iconic TV shows of the early 2000s — and fans are still trying to keep up with the cast. The comedy, which was a faux memoir of middle child Malcolm Wilkerson (Frankie Muniz), detailed the Wilkerson family’s low-income, dysfunctional life and all the […]
What was it like doing it at this time in your life?
Having stepped away from Hollywood a bit to focus on other things and get the opportunity to jump back into it in a big way was awesome. At times, you take things for granted… now I try to put more effort into everything.
Why do you think people loved the show so much?
When [it] came out, everyone was like, “Oh, it’s this crazy, dysfunctional family, and they fight and bicker…” but everybody comes up to me and goes, “That’s literally my family.” It felt more genuine and honest and relatable than most TV families. And you got more substance than you did with previous shows with the laugh track or [where] every 20 seconds, there’s got to be a joke.
Were Bryan and Jane Kaczmarek [who played mom Lois] parental figures for you in real life?
I definitely spent more time with them than I did with my family during those years. Especially Bryan. Obviously, he’s gone on to do so many huge things, but he’s always reached out and supported whatever crazy adventure I was on. When I was doing Dancing With the Stars [in 2017], he came on. It’s cool to see, especially in Hollywood, where it’s a world of people who are just so focused on themselves.
Justin Berfield, Frankie Muniz Everett Collection
What was it like having that level of
success as a teen?
My mom and I would go [to] five or six auditions a day in New York City and [then] go where they filmed David Letterman and stand in the crowd and watch the celebrities get out of their car. Or we’d go to TRL and stand in Times Square, and whichever celeb was there would come to the window and wave. It went from [being] in the crowd screaming for Hanson to three months later, I was in the window waving down to the crowd. It’s a weird thing to happen. [It felt like] an out-of-body experience.
At the height of your fame, did it feel like you had it all — money, cars, girls?
A lot of it was during the awkward years of puberty and growing up and trying to figure out what I wanted. I’m thrilled that [it happened] prior to social media. I had all the cars — I was a big car guy — so, yeah, I did get to experience a really amazing life in that sense. But all that comes at a super high price. Money does not buy happiness. Look at Hollywood — there’s a lot of miserable people, right?
Did your parents keep you on an allowance?
We had no money growing up. If you grow up not having any money and all of a sudden you [do], it’s like, what do you do with it? You have so many people telling you, “You should do this” or “You need to do that.” My mom did not know what to do with it. She was so focused on taking me where I needed to go and just being a mom. For a long time, I had no idea what I was making.
What was your love life like back then? We did watch you go through some famous relationships, like with Hilary Duff.
I was not a heartthrob. I wasn’t the Jonas Brothers [or] Zac Efron. If I was not Malcolm, would I have dated [some of the girls]? Probably not. [Laughs.] People would be like, “Oh, she only wants you for your money.” I was like, “OK. I’m happy. And she’s not getting any!” [Laughs.] There were definitely a lot of relationships that nobody knows about that [when] I think back, I go, “No way!” I had a different experience [because I was] on TV.
What were some of the more challenging parts of working so young?
I remember at 13, 14 years old, when Malcolm was premiering, my mom would wake me up at 5 a.m. and I’d have to do 10 radio interviews and she’d make me sign 50 fan mail autographs, and then we’d go to set and work all [day]. You don’t take it in good or bad. You just have to do it.
Do you feel like you lost any part of your childhood?
No. I only know what it’s like to be me. People used to ask me, “Aren’t you sad that you didn’t get to go to prom?” Well, no, because I was hanging out at the Playboy Mansion [and with] Amanda Bynes and other celebrities. I got to do some pretty cool things! [Laughs.]
Child stars have offered their perspective on the downfalls of fame by participating in tell all documentaries that feature surprising revelations. Investigation Discovery made headlines in 2024 when directors Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz explored Nickelodeon’s past toxic work environment in Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. The docuseries specifically highlighted producer […]
What was school like?
I was homeschooled from, like, sixth grade, even before Malcolm. I was doing projects here and there, and it’s easier to not have to get work [directly] from the teacher and be late and miss school. [Then] I graduated early because I didn’t want to balance having to do three hours of schooling while filming. Being the star of a TV show, if there were 20 minutes between setting up cameras, rather than [schooling], I wanted to sit in my dressing room and watch Maury.
Was anything missing?
Yes, but I don’t know what exactly. To this day, I haven’t figured that out. Maybe some of it has to do with having so much success early. You’re always comparing [things] to that. I see people [say], “Oh, he failed at acting.” I was on a show for seven years. I was nominated for [awards]. I did tons of movies. I made millions of dollars. Like, what? What is this definition of success as an actor? You can’t help but go, “Wait, did I? Should I have done something different?” I have to remind myself I’m exactly where I want to be in my life.
What are the downsides of fame?
This doesn’t necessarily pertain to me, but you start at 10, 12, 13 and you have fame and money and people telling you they love you and you’re an inspiration, and you can do whatever you want. And you’re going to these cool award shows and getting all this stuff sent to you. And eventually it stops. I think a lot of people struggle when it stops.
How do you think you were able to remain grounded?
I have to credit my parents because obviously, they did something or instilled something in me that made me the way I am. I was intimidated by my dad in a good way. From [ages] five to 12 — which I think are the years [I became] myself — I lived in a really small town in North Carolina. I had one friend who lived in the neighborhood. As a father now, I’m trying to balance making the right decisions. I don’t think there’s an exact science.
You left L.A. and moved to Arizona in 2008 and have lived there ever since.
[When] I started racing, I didn’t need to be in Los Angeles. I was on the road a lot and could be based wherever I wanted. Honestly, I did not like L.A. So I moved to Arizona, and I love it. I feel like it saved my life in the sense that I started enjoying the little aspects of life more, like hiking [and] going to the grocery store, because it was easy. I didn’t have to fight [to] find a parking spot or pay for valet.
You starred with Hilary in Agent Cody Banks and Amanda in Big Fat Liar. Have you stayed in touch with anyone from those days?
Honestly, no. I’ve talked to Angie [Harmon] a bit here and there. I haven’t talked to or seen Hilary since the premiere of Agent Cody Banks. It would be great to get everyone back together. My biggest fault is that I’m bad at communication. I want to be the person that gets the gang back together. Maybe that’s what I’ll do next.
What about Amanda?
As a kid actor in New York City, going on auditions, my dream was to be on All That. I had the biggest crush on Amanda. I was supposed to cohost Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards in 2000, and I knew Amanda was [a presenter]. My mom got a call from Gail Berman, who was the president of Fox, and my mom’s screaming, and she’s like, “You got asked to host Saturday Night Live.” [But it was the same date as the Kids’ Choice Awards], so I turned it down. So I met Amanda and we became friends; we talked to each other on AOL. There was never any secret dating. After the premiere of Big Fat Liar, I saw her a few times, but we lost touch.
What do you think about how her life has turned out?
I never would’ve seen it coming. That’s all I’ll say. [She was] the most professional, happy, easygoing person I ever met. I never saw a sign of anything negative. I wish her nothing but happiness.
You’ve been sober your whole life. Why?
I really don’t remember making a conscious decision [about] it. I was probably 17 or 18, but in my mind, I lived so long and experienced so much, and I was like, “I’ve made it so long, I’m not going to start now.”
You got into racing after winning a celebrity race. Talk to Us about that pivot.
I was a huge racing fan, but never did it cross my mind that I’d be a race car driver. That feeling of crossing the finish line first was magical, and I knew in that moment, “I want to feel this more.” A pro team approached me and offered me a test, and I was really quick in it… and they signed me that day to a two-year development deal. I was signed to do a movie, but we didn’t know if it was going to happen. I remember calling my agents at the time, and [saying], “I’m going to do the racing, and I don’t care what offer we get.”
Frankie Muniz Samuel Corum/Getty Images
What made you decide to put acting on the back burner?
I wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing [racing] halfway. You need to put your heart and soul into it. I was also at a point where I was just like, I’m good. I made tons of money, and I could kind of step away if I wanted to. So many actors truly just want it, and they accept whatever comes with that life [and] with that world. And I never felt like I belonged. I always felt like an outsider as an actor. Like, How do they let me do this? Even when I’m around most actors, they feel like actors to me. They’re so actor-y. [Laughs.] There’s good and bad in that, but mostly not how I want to be. But I was proud to call myself an actor for, I think, the first time when we finished filming the Malcolm reboot.
Did you plan to leave showbiz entirely?
No — although yes, I was the one to say I’m focusing on racing. But I’ve done things here and there. I wasn’t shutting the door to it completely, like some people who say [they] never want to be in the business again.
Did you ever question your decision?
When I got hurt racing [in 2009] and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do [I couldn’t help but think], “Did I make the right decision? Should I have walked away when I was getting 100 movie offers a year?” But stepping away was a positive for me because of what I learned about myself.
The 2024 docuseries Quiet on Set explored the toxic behind-the-scenes world of kids’ TV shows. Did you see it?
I did. Obviously I had heard stories, but I never personally experienced anything like that. I believe it. But I don’t have personal experience with it.
You’ve said reports that surfaced when you were on Dancing With the Stars in 2017 saying you had suffered from ministrokes and memory loss were inaccurate. What’s the real story?
There’s an episode they do called “The Most Memorable Year.” I had said a different year, and they go, “No, your most memorable year is going to be 2001.” We started the interview, and I was basically saying, “I don’t have any recollection of that.” I wasn’t saying I have amnesia [but] that’s how it ended up getting reported — that I have no memory of being Malcolm [and] my girlfriend has to wake up every single day like 50 First Dates with Drew Barrymore. It became something else. I found out years later I was wrongfully diagnosed with having ministrokes. Later I got diagnosed [with] really severe [aura] migraines that have very similar symptoms to having a mini stroke. I have a bad memory, but I [don’t] have memory loss.
You turn 40 in December. Any big plans?
I’ve never been a big birthday person. One of my close friends, Zac Hanson from the group Hanson, turns 40 at the end of October. The other day [he said], “Maybe we should do something together.” I was like, “That could be fun.” But I don’t know. Just get me a Carvel ice cream cake at home and I’m set. [Laughs.]
You’ve raced cars, acted and opened for Ed Sheeran and Twenty One Pilots with your former band Kingsfoil. Is there anything left on your bucket list?
When I’m done racing, I want to focus on being the best dad I can possibly be for my son. I think I’m a good dad, but I could be so much better if I was even more present. If I had another opportunity to be on a long-running show… that would be incredible. When I filmed [the] Malcolm [reboot], I had the best time. I felt so comfortable and confident, and laughed so much.
What would you say to Mauz if he told you he wanted to act?
I think he’d be phenomenal! He has a great little personality. But I wouldn’t ever push him into it. He’d have to decide he wanted to do it, which means he’d have to be old enough. I want to give him the option to do whatever he wants, but the entertainment world is a hard one.
We hear you might be working on a reality show based on your racing life?
We filmed a lot of my racing journey in the hopes of getting it out there. There’s been a lot of discussion about it. There are so many pieces that have to come together. I’d love [for] people to get an inside look at what my life truly is like. They see the glitz and glamour, but none of the reality.
When you look back on your life, do you have any regrets?
Not necessarily because I like where I’m at. I’ve got an amazing wife [and] son. I love being a race car driver, but I think [about how I] literally left in the height of my career, told my agents and managers, “Don’t call me.” I do wonder what my life would’ve been [like] if I didn’t do that. But it’s not a regret. I’m in the best spot possible. I’m just busy. [Laughs.]
What would your advice to your younger self be?
Enjoy it. Enjoy the moment. Maybe I would’ve told myself to try more. Even though I guess I did OK as an actor, given I was nominated for [awards]. But I feel like I could’ve done even better. I think everyone says that if you could go back in time.
Do you feel as if you still have more to prove to yourself?
I’ve done a lot of things, but I haven’t fully gotten to the level that I want. I’m not complaining. I live a very fulfilled life. I have everything I could ever dream of, but I’m not satisfied yet. Like in racing, I’m not there yet. I think it’s a good and bad thing that I have that feeling because it keeps me motivated, it keeps me fighting, it keeps me wanting to achieve more. I’m one of 100 people on the planet with a NASCAR license. I made it, but I didn’t accomplish what I wanted because my expectations for success are set really, really high. Maybe because it’s something that people don’t expect me to be good at. People go, “Oh, he’s just an actor. He can’t race.” I want to prove everybody wrong.
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