Remember Reese from ‘Malcolm in the Middle’? Here’s What Justin Berfield Looks Like Now at 40
Justin Berfield may always be remembered as Reese, the wild and often clueless older brother from Malcolm in the Middle, but his journey in the entertainment world started long before that role and continued in a different direction after it ended.
Berfield began working very young. At just five years old, he appeared in a Folgers coffee commercial. From there, he quickly became a familiar face in advertising, taking part in around 20 national commercials.
His early television work included roles in shows like The Good Life in 1994, where he acted alongside Drew Carey, as well as smaller parts in series such as Hardball and The Mommies. These early roles helped him gain experience and confidence in front of the camera.
His first major television success came with Unhappily Ever After, where he played Ross Malloy. The show ran from 1995 to 1999, and Berfield appeared in 100 episodes. This gave him steady work and recognition as a young actor. Around the same time, he even auditioned for the role of young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, competing with thousands of other children.
However, everything changed in 2000 when Berfield was cast as Reese in Malcolm in the Middle. The show became a big hit and ran for six years. Berfield appeared in all 151 episodes. His character, known for his reckless behavior and comedic timing, became one of the standout parts of the show. According to available information, this role became the most important part of his acting career. It made him widely known and gave him financial stability at a young age.
After Malcolm in the Middle ended in 2006, Berfield slowly stepped away from acting. Instead of continuing as an on-screen actor, he shifted his focus behind the scenes. He worked as a producer on several projects, including films and television content. This move showed that he wanted to stay in the industry but in a different way. He also made a brief return to acting with a guest role in Sons of Tucson in 2010.
In recent years, Berfield has remained connected to the legacy of Malcolm in the Middle. In February 2025, he confirmed through Instagram that he would return for the reboot, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. This announcement excited fans who have followed the show since the early 2000s.
Outside of entertainment, Berfield has been involved in charity work. In 2001, he became a National Youth Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities and served in that role for three years. He has also supported organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Virgin Unite. These efforts show another side of him beyond acting and production.
In his personal life, Berfield married Liza Almeida in 2017, and the couple has two children. He has mostly kept his private life away from the spotlight.
Looking back, Malcolm in the Middle clearly shaped Justin Berfield’s life and career. It turned him into a well-known actor and gave him opportunities that lasted even after the show ended. At the same time, it seems to have influenced his decision to step away from acting and explore work behind the camera. Instead of staying in the spotlight, he chose a quieter path while still being part of the industry.
Berfield made a smart choice. Not every child star manages to stay balanced after early fame, but he found a way to build a stable life and career. His return to the reboot also shows that he still values the role that made him famous. What do you think about Justin Berfield’s journey from child star to producer? Share your thoughts in the comments.