Frankie Muniz Reflects on Leaving Hollywood: “I Don’t Know Where I’d Be If I Stayed”

Frankie Muniz, best known for his role as the mischievous Malcolm in the hit Fox sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” is returning to acting after a long break. The 39-year-old left Hollywood after the show ended in 2006 to pursue a career as a professional race car driver. Now, he will reprise his role in the upcoming revival series “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair,” set to premiere in 2026 on Disney+.

Muniz spoke to The Post about his decision to leave acting at the height of his career. “It was in 2006 originally. ‘Malcolm’ had just ended. I was really kind of at the height of my career. I had tons of movie offers and options, and I got this opportunity to race cars professionally,” he said.

“I had only acted since I was eight. So eight to 22. It’s all I knew. I loved it — but I also knew that I wanted to try something else.”

Reflecting on whether he made the right choice, Muniz admitted, “I don’t know for sure. I don’t know where I’d be if I stayed in the entertainment world. But I know that I’m exactly where I want to be now.” He added that stepping away helped him gain a greater appreciation for both racing and acting.

Muniz made his NASCAR debut in 2023 and returned to racing after recovering from a wrist injury earlier this year. While he has mostly focused on racing, he has taken on acting roles in shows like “The Rookie,” “New Amsterdam,” and “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens,” as well as the 2025 sci-fi film “Renner.”

The “Malcolm” revival will feature Muniz alongside returning cast members Jane Kaczmarek and Bryan Cranston as Malcolm’s parents, and Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield as his brothers. Muniz described his experience returning to the set as comforting.

“I cannot explain to you how quick it felt like home. Like immediate,” he said. Watching all the original episodes with his wife in 2017 also gave him a new perspective. “I realized on set that not that I am Malcolm, or Malcolm is me, but I was so comfortable being that character… I loved it. I didn’t want it to end.”

Not all original cast members will return. Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, chose not to participate, a decision Muniz fully respects. “He’s very happy in the life that he’s created outside of the entertainment world… We didn’t want to force him to do something he didn’t want to do,” he said.

Muniz also praised working with Bryan Cranston again. “When people always ask who’s my favorite actor I worked with, I always say Bryan. He always gives 110%. It didn’t matter if he was off camera. He is committed to doing the best job humanly possible,” Muniz said. “He was also just so nice and genuine and kind to everybody on set… It inspired me to kind of be the same.”

Returning to acting has clearly reignited Muniz’s passion, and he seems excited about the opportunities ahead. “Like getting the opportunity to be Malcolm again, or another acting show or movie… I’m excited for that opportunity,” he said.

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