Malcolm in the Middle was a fantastic program. It made so many people laugh that we can’t help but feel nostalgic when we think about it. It first aired 21 years ago, and each of the 151 episodes has had an average of 15 million viewers. Given how entertaining the concert was, these figures are not surprising.
It centered on Malcolm, 14, the third of four boys in the family. With an IQ of 165, Malcolm was the sharpest person in the house, but he was misunderstood by the rest of his family.
Linwood Boomer, the show’s creator, stated that he was inspired by his personal life. “I was right in the center,” Boomer explained to the Los Angeles Times. “We were bad kids. My mother’s main reaction after seeing the pilot was, “I’m not going to tell you [what] your IQ was, but it sure wasn’t 165.”
The notion of developing the series was not universally welcomed at Fox, but Fox CEO Doug Herzog adored it. He saw potential in it because it was unlike any other show on the air at the time. He not only opted to try it, but he also spent a lot of money promoting it. It turns out that his instincts about how successful Malcolm in the Middle could be were correct.
Many members of the cast became well-known as a result of the show. Not only did little Frankie Muniz play Malcolm, but so did Bryan Cranston as Malcolm’s father Hal, Christopher Masterson as the eldest sibling Francis, Jane Frances Kaczmarek as Lois, and Erik Per Sullivan as Dewey.
Malcolm in the Middle was nominated for seven Golden Globes and 33 Emmys, winning seven of them.
As the show ended, some of the performers went on to other film ventures, while others decided to try their hand at other professions.
When the series premiered, actor Eric Per Sullivan was just 9 years old. He appeared in every episode and frequently stole the show with his great acting. Today, he’s trying to live a normal life and avoids the spotlight.
Eric appeared in the 2002 film Unfaithful and Christmas With the Kranks after the series ended. He also provided vocal work for Finding Nemo and Arthur and the Invisibles. According to IMBD, he did not act again after that.
Eric attended Mount Saint Charles Academy in Rhode Island before transferring to Phillips Exeter Academy. In 2009 and 2010, he attended the University of Southern California (USC).
When we consider his role as Dewey and contemporary images of him, we can all agree that Eric looks very different today. He’s grown up, yet he hasn’t lost the charm that we all adored him for.
Eric became fast friends with everyone on set, and we sincerely hope that the cast will return for a sequel.
