The former star of “Malcolm in the Middle” experienced a striking transformation. Take a look at how he looks now and his surprising journey over the years, including his health challenges and leaving Hollywood.

This actor rose to fame as a child star, becoming a household name as the lead in “Malcolm in the Middle.” With multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe nod, he seemed to have the world at his feet.

However, behind the scenes, the actor was dealing with a hostile work environment and health challenges. Dive into the telling photographs that capture his astonishing transformation through the recent years.

In January 2020, the actor took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared, “In 2002 I was nominated for a Golden Globe. In 2020, I’m just sitting here staring in the mirror at my balding head.”

“Life is unfaiiiiiiiiiiiiir,” one person commented in response to the actor’s post. Another typed, “Life is unfairrrr…” A third person shared the same sentiment, writing, “Life is unfair.”

However, things took a more positive turn, as a month later, the actor tied the knot after proposing in November 2018. “I always thought it was such a cliché for people to claim their wedding day as the best day of their life,” he said.

“Like maybe it was something they had to say. No, my wedding day was literally the best day of my life!” the actor continued.

“My greatest accomplishment was convincing her to spend her life with me and I love her more now than I ever have. My love just grows more and more,” the star later shared in a heartfelt Facebook post.

2021

In March 2021, the “Stay Alive” alum and his wife, Paige Price, welcomed their first child, Mauz. The actor took to social media to open up about fatherhood, revealing his son’s impact on his life and how much he was in love with his little bundle of joy.

Towards the end of 2021, the actor shared details about his memory loss and revealed that he pondered why his memory was so bad and often visited doctors.

The “Agent Cody Banks” alum revealed that he couldn’t distinguish if his memories were dreams or if they really did happen. He added that perhaps he did so much in his youth that it made sense that he could not remember everything.

However, the actor acknowledged that the state of his memory loss was blown out of proportion due to the media. “This is the first time that I’ve actually gotten to clarify,” he stated. The award-winning star added that he did not actually have TIAs, as he was misdiagnosed. Instead, he suffered from intense migraines.

2022

2024

By 2024, at 38 and nearly two decades since the last episode of “Malcolm in the Middle” aired, the star remains a beloved figure even today. “I think some people forget how big of an actor Frankie was in the upcoming 2000s. He was everywhere at one point,” one social media user commented.

Another wrote, “‘Malcolm in the Middle’ is one of the best shows ever. Malcolm, ‘King of the Hill,’ and ‘The Simpsons’ would all be on, in a row, on Sunday night, at one golden point in time. Frankie is a good dude.”

A third typed, “Frankie is the man. Grew up watching him and to see now, 15 years later, that he’s so humble and well put together is amazing. Didn’t get taken in by Hollywood or drugs and is living my dream life now with his family. Big kudos to him.”

The actor in question is none other than Frankie Muniz, once a beloved teen idol and now a race car driver. Scroll down to learn more about his rise to stardom, his transformation, his memory loss, and his decision to step away from the spotlight.

The “Malcolm in the Middle” star was born in New Jersey and began acting when he was very young. However, he shot to fame for his iconic role in the sitcom, which ran for seven seasons.

The sitcom told the relatable story of a bright boy who lived in a dysfunctional family while dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a teenager and a middle child.

2000

2001

2002

Frankie’s performance as the highly intelligent yet often frustrated Malcolm earned him widespread acclaim. His comedic timing and ability to capture the complexities of a young genius navigating a chaotic family life made him a standout on the show.

This not only contributed to the series’ success but also earned him award nominations. Frankie was nominated for the Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy category in 2001 and 2002.

2003

2004

After “Malcolm in the Middle” ended in 2006, Frankie began racing cars professionally for several years. He then set his sights on music and played drums in two different rock bands. Years later, he managed one of the bands in his spare time but still hoped to return to acting.

Frankie later opened up about why he was absent from two entire episodes despite being the show’s main character. The actor revealed that he walked off the set during those episodes due to escalating tensions.

He explained that the atmosphere on set had become toxic because the behavior of certain individuals had gone out of control, creating a sense of fear among the cast and crew.

According to the actor, people were too afraid to confront these individuals when they were controlling, rude, or disrespectful, making it feel like everyone was walking on eggshells. “I was so mortified by seeing people afraid to stand up for themselves, I was like: ‘Say something,'” he remarked.

Frankie said he did not mind the possibility of being removed from the show, as standing up felt worth it, especially given his role as the show’s lead character.

2008

It was later reported that Frankie was earning approximately $150,000 per episode, and this amount did not take into account inflation. In no time, he was dubbed “Hollywood’s most bankable teen.”

During an interview, the actor revealed that while he enjoyed his fortune as a young star, he also made wise financial decisions like investing in land property that worked in his favor over time.

Thanks to “Malcolm in the Middle,” Frankie was a highly sought-after actor. However, he chose to focus on professional racing. This step back from Hollywood allowed the actor to stop and smell the roses, something he had not done much before. “I’m so much of a happier person, having stepped away,” he added.

2010

In 2017, Frankie participated in “Dancing With the Stars.” On the show, the “Miracle in Lane 2” actor disclosed that he had suffered from nine concussions over the years. The first time was when he was seven during a soccer game.

In a candid interview, the child star said he had been in and out of ERs and doctors’ offices after being diagnosed with transient ischemic attacks (or TIAs), otherwise known as mini-strokes.

Unfortunately, his health problems did not end there, as he also had severe memory loss. It was so bad that he reportedly did not remember the feeling of receiving his first Emmy nomination in 2001.

His search for answers was tedious, especially since he made healthy choices. “I’m 31, I’ve never sipped alcohol, I’ve never touched a drug or taken a drag of a cigarette. The only thing I’ve felt was stress,” the actor shared.

Throughout his journey from a beloved child star to a professional racer and now as a husband and father, Frankie Muniz has remained a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.

While he has undergone a significant physical change over the years, he is fondly remembered for his relatable role and acclaimed performance on “Malcolm in the Middle.”