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The 7 Most Shocking Career Pivots: Where Are The Actors On Malcolm In The Middle Now (2025 Update)

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The iconic, chaotic family of Malcolm in the Middle is back in the spotlight, but their lives outside the show are even more surprising. This Emmy-winning sitcom, which ran from 2000 to 2006, launched the careers of its young stars and gave a seasoned actor a second chance at stardom. As of this December 2025 update, news of a highly anticipated revival has brought the cast's current, diverse, and often shocking career paths back into focus, with one core family member notably absent and another racing full-time in NASCAR.

The cast members have scattered across the entertainment industry, major league racing, and academia, creating one of the most fascinating "where are they now" stories in television history. We dive deep into the current status of the Wilkerson family and the key supporting players, including their latest projects and their confirmed involvement in the upcoming four-episode revival being developed by original series creator Linwood Boomer.

Complete Biography & Current Status of the Wilkerson Family Cast

The core family unit—Hal, Lois, Francis, Reese, Malcolm, and Dewey—formed the heart of the show’s enduring appeal. Here is a detailed look at the actors who brought them to life and what they are doing in late 2025.

  • Bryan Cranston (Hal Wilkerson)
    • Born: March 7, 1956 (Age 69)
    • Role on MITM: The well-meaning, immature, and deeply loved patriarch, Hal.
    • Post-MITM Career Highlights: Walter White in Breaking Bad (2008–2013), Dalton Trumbo in Trumbo (2015), and the Broadway play Network.
    • Current Status (2025): Confirmed to reprise his role for the Malcolm in the Middle revival. He is also set to star in the 2025 comedy-drama film Everything's Going to Be Great.
  • Jane Kaczmarek (Lois Wilkerson)
    • Born: December 21, 1955 (Age 70)
    • Role on MITM: The fiercely controlling, overworked, and iconic mother, Lois.
    • Post-MITM Career Highlights: Roles in Raising the Bar, The Middle, and a long-standing voice role on The Simpsons.
    • Current Status (2025): Confirmed to return for the revival. She continues her voice work as Judge Constance Harm on The Simpsons and remains active in theatre and television projects.
  • Frankie Muniz (Malcolm Wilkerson)
    • Born: December 5, 1985 (Age 40)
    • Role on MITM: The titular child genius, Malcolm.
    • Post-MITM Career Highlights: Starred in Agent Cody Banks films, competed on Dancing with the Stars, and became a professional race car driver.
    • Current Status (2025): Confirmed to return for the revival. His main focus is professional racing; he has secured a full-time ride in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Reaume Brothers Racing and is set to appear in the 2025 sci-fi film Renner.
  • Christopher Masterson (Francis Wilkerson)
    • Born: January 22, 1980 (Age 45)
    • Role on MITM: The eldest, rebellious, and often-absent brother, Francis.
    • Post-MITM Career Highlights: Roles in Men at Work, and a successful pivot to music.
    • Current Status (2025): Confirmed to return for the revival. He primarily works as a professional disc jockey (DJ) under the name DJ Chris Kennedy (Masterson's middle name is Kennedy) and is also a co-owner of several successful restaurants.
  • Justin Berfield (Reese Wilkerson)
    • Born: February 25, 1986 (Age 39)
    • Role on MITM: The dim-witted but physically aggressive second-oldest brother, Reese.
    • Post-MITM Career Highlights: Stepped away from acting to focus on production. Co-founded the production company J2 Pictures.
    • Current Status (2025): Confirmed to return for the revival. He is the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Virgin Produced, the film and television production arm of Richard Branson's Virgin Group, overseeing major projects like the film Limitless.
  • Erik Per Sullivan (Dewey Wilkerson)
    • Born: July 12, 1991 (Age 34)
    • Role on MITM: The youngest, often overlooked, and secretly brilliant brother, Dewey.
    • Post-MITM Career Highlights: Last known acting credit was the 2010 film Twelve.
    • Current Status (2025): Will not be returning for the Malcolm in the Middle revival. He has completely retired from acting and is currently a highly successful academic, pursuing a graduate degree at Harvard University. His decision to leave the entertainment industry for a private life in academia is one of the most unique post-show stories.

The Unexpected Trajectories: From Child Star to NASCAR Driver and CCO

The careers of the younger cast members have taken astonishing, non-traditional paths that highlight the difficulty of transitioning from successful child acting. The sheer diversity of their current professions is a testament to their varied interests outside of Hollywood.

Frankie Muniz, the show's lead, has arguably the most high-profile career pivot. After battling health issues and memory loss rumors—which he has largely dispelled—Muniz committed fully to his passion for motorsports. His announcement of a full-time seat in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series cemented his status as a serious, professional driver, not just a celebrity hobbyist. This commitment to the high-octane world of racing runs parallel to his return to the role of Malcolm, showcasing a dual-career path rarely seen in the industry.

Meanwhile, Justin Berfield (Reese) found his calling behind the camera. Stepping away from acting immediately after the show's finale, Berfield co-founded J2 Pictures before moving on to become the Chief Creative Officer of Virgin Produced. This role makes him a powerful figure in the production and development side of the entertainment business, contrasting sharply with his character's brutish, simple-minded nature on the show.

The Golden Age of Bryan Cranston: Post-Hal Stardom

The trajectory of Bryan Cranston is perhaps the most celebrated and the biggest surprise for casual viewers of Malcolm in the Middle. While he was a respected character actor before the show, his role as the lovable, goofy father Hal was a comedic peak. However, it was his subsequent, dramatic turn as Walter White in Breaking Bad that transformed him into an A-list, multi-award-winning actor, securing his legacy as one of television's greats.

Cranston’s career since Breaking Bad has been a continuous stream of high-profile projects. In 2025, he continues to balance his dramatic roles with his comedic roots, which is why his return to the role of Hal for the revival is so exciting for fans. His upcoming film, *Everything's Going to Be Great*, further solidifies his status as a highly sought-after leading man in Hollywood. His participation is a major factor in the buzz surrounding the *Malcolm in the Middle revival* project.

Where Are the Supporting Cast Now? The Lives of Craig and Piama

A show's topical authority is enhanced by exploring the fates of its key supporting players. The two most memorable non-family characters were Lois’s obsessive coworker, Craig Feldspar, and Francis’s Alaskan wife, Piama.

David Anthony Higgins (Craig Feldspar)

David Anthony Higgins, who played the socially awkward and deeply infatuated supermarket co-worker Craig Feldspar, was a recurring fan favorite. Prior to Malcolm in the Middle, Higgins was well-known for his role as Joe Farrell on the sitcom Ellen. Since the show wrapped, Higgins has continued to work steadily in television, often utilizing his comedic timing in guest and supporting roles. While he hasn't had a new major series lead in 2025, his consistent work in the industry demonstrates a strong, enduring career as a reliable character actor, often in the comedy genre.

Emy Coligado (Piama Tananahaakna)

Emy Coligado played Piama, Francis’s no-nonsense, Alaskan-native wife who was often the only person who could truly manage Francis's chaotic life. Her character was a welcome addition to the later seasons. Coligado has maintained a steady acting career, appearing in various films and television shows. Notably, she had a role in the 2024 production *Summer of '69*, confirming her continued involvement in the acting world. Fans are hoping she will be announced as a returning cast member for the upcoming four-episode reboot to see the current state of Francis and Piama's marriage.

The diverse paths of the *Malcolm in the Middle* cast—from an Oscar-nominated dramatic actor to a professional race car driver, a major studio executive, a DJ, and a Harvard academic—make their reunion for the revival one of the most compelling television events to look forward to. The new project promises to bridge the gap between their fictional, dysfunctional family lives and their astonishingly varied real-life careers.

actors on malcolm in the middle
actors on malcolm in the middle

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