- Erik Per Sullivan played Dewey for the 151-episode run
- Stepped away from show business after the sitcom ended in 2006
- It’s unlikely he will return for the Malcolm in the Middle reboot
Between 2000 and 2006, Malcolm in the Middle captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. With its relatable family chaos and unique filming style, the sitcom quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Today it is hailed as one of the best sitcoms of all time.
Read more: Ten interesting Malcolm In The Middle facts you didn’t know
Viewers got a glimpse inside the mind of Malcolm, a child genius played by Frankie Muniz, as he navigated life in his dysfunctional family. He often broke the fourth wall, providing commentary for the audience on the outrageous events that were unfolding in the household.
Read more: Frankie Muniz gives Malcolm in the Middle update
While Malcolm was the star of the sitcom, he wasn’t the only character stealing the show. Dewey, Malcolm’s younger brother – who was the youngest in the family for most of the series – endeared himself to viewers with his sharp one-liners and mischievous antics. Dewey was a true fan favorite, but despite the character’s popularity, actor Erik Per Sullivan who portrayed him disappeared from the spotlight after the show’s finale in 2006.
What happened to Erik Per Sullivan after Malcolm in the Middle?
After Malcolm in the Middle’s finale in 2006, Sullivan, who would have been 14 at the time, stepped away from Hollywood.
The actor, who is now 33, only took on only a handful of roles following the show, appearing in the likes of Arthur and the Invisibles (2006), Mo (2007), and Twelve (2010). The latter would be his final acting credit, where he played a minor character named Timmy in the Joel Schumacher teen crime movie, which also starred 50 Cent.
Sullivan has remained out of the public eye since 2010. While some of the cast, including Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek, took part in virtual reunions for charity, Sullivan was notably absent.
Kaczmarek, who played Sullivan’s on-screen mother, Lois, in the sitcom, shared an update on Sullivan in 2024. Speaking to Malcolm France, a YouTube show dedicated to the sitcom, she revealed “He’s well, he’s very, very well…he did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14. He wasn’t interested in acting, at all.”
She went on to explain that Sullivan is doing graduate work, adding “He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he’s asked us all to be quiet about and he loves Charles Dickens. He’s doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world, it’s not for everyone.”
Muniz also appeared on the YouTube show and provided some insights on Sullivan. Responding to fans pleading for an update, he said “To be honest, I don’t know what he’s up to. I hate to say that because I’ve talked to him a few times since the show ended. I’ve talked to his parents a lot. When I was in the band, we went and played in the city where he lives and his parents came to the show but unfortunately he couldn’t make it”.
He also said he understands Sullivan’s decision to live a more low-key lifestyle, explaining “But one thing I know, some actors or some people just got to do it when they were a kid and then they wanted to experience other things and kind of live a more normal life out of the spotlight”.
Is Dewey returning for the Malcolm in the Middle reboot?
Disney proved that life isn’t unfair after all, when they shared news of a four-part mini series revival for Malcolm in the Middle. A release date for the new episodes has not been announced, but they are expected to come in 2025.
The official logline reads “Malcolm and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.”
With Cranston and Kaczmarek reprising their roles as Malcolm’s chaotic parents, fans have since been wondering if the loveable Dewey is also returning.
In 2020, an Instagram account was created under Sullivan’s name with a bio that reads “movie and tv actor July 1991 Massachusetts 🇺🇸 one life one Love”. While it’s not verified, it leads to speculation that perhaps Sullivan was behind the account and is embracing Dewey again.
One post has the caption “unforgettable moments as dewey in the tv series malcolm in the middle ❤️”.
It’s difficult to imagine Malcom in the Middle without Dewey. In some ways, the character was the heart and the soul of the show – bringing the most light-hearted humor.
Reese, one of Malcolm’s older brothers from the original series, is definitely coming back. Justin Berfield, who played Reese posted on Instagram saying “On my way to meet the MITM fam. See you soon!”. There’s news yet on Christopher Masterson who plays Malcolm’s other brother, Francis, but he is also expected to return with the original cast.
At this point, with Sullivan retired from acting, it doesn’t seem likely we’ll be seeing Dewey join his brothers. However, fans are still hopeful and would be excited even if his appearance were brief. One fan on the Malcolm in the Middle subreddit, AlienInOrigin, expressed that they’d be happy if Sullivan appeared for just a short moment, saying, “If he turned up for the last 10 seconds and said ‘Sorry I’m late,’ I’d be happy.” It just goes to show how much Dewey’s character is still loved by fans.
