Frankie Muniz revealed which Malcolm In The Middle co-star ‘still checks in’ with him – 18 years after the beloved Fox sitcom came to an end.
The star, 38 – who recently put his acting career on hold to become a full-time NASCAR driver – opened up about topic during Tuesday’s episode of the Inside Of You podcast with host Michael Rosenbaum.
At one point, Muniz shared that Bryan Cranston – who portrayed his father Hal on the show – will still contact him every few weeks.
‘I started working with him when I was 11, 12-years-old. He really became like a father figure to me. And then even still to this day, you know, he’s essentially like a Hollywood god at this point.’
Frankie added, ‘You know what I mean? Like he’s done incredible films, incredible shows, won tons of awards. Like he’s literally It.’
Despite it being nearly two decades since Malcolm In The Middle concluded, Muniz shared that Cranston, ‘still reaches out to me every couple of weeks, check in on me.’
Frankie Muniz, 38, revealed which Malcolm In The Middle co-star ‘still checks in’ with him – 18 years after the beloved Fox sitcom came to an end; seen in 2023 in Las Vegas
‘He really cares about what I’m doing, comes to the races, if my band was playing, came to shows. I mean, he’s such an inspiration, and like I said, that’s what I strive to be that for someone else in the future.’
Muniz played the character of Malcolm, the genius son of Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois (Jane Kaczmarek).
Other cast members included Erik Per Sullivan, Christopher Masterson and Justin Tyler Berfield – who played Frankie’s siblings on the series.
Throughout its seven seasons on the air, the sitcom garnered critical praise – as well as a variety of award nominations, including seven Golden Globes and 33 Emmys, winning seven of the latter.
‘He was the most incredible person because he showed up every day on set and gave it 100%,’ Muniz recalled of working alongside the Breaking Bad actor.
‘He was so nice to everybody and you never ever saw him wanting to leave…he took advantage of that opportunity and he did his best work. So I’ve always used that as an inspiration.’
The Agent Cody Banks star has previously talked about his relationship with Bryan following the end of Malcolm In The Middle.
During an appearance on Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast in 2022, the father-of-one dished on still remaining in contact with Cranston.
At one point, Muniz shared that Bryan Cranston – who portrayed his father Hal on the show – will still contact him every few weeks; seen in April in NYC
Throughout its seven seasons on the air, the sitcom garnered critical praise – as well as a variety of award nominations, including seven Golden Globes and 33 Emmys, winning seven
‘Bryan reaches out to me every two weeks and he has for 15 years. Like literally reaches out, “Just checking on you, hope you’re well, what are you up to?” He’s literally a Hollywood god and he calls me. He’s the best.’
‘No lie, Bryan is the greatest human being alive, as an actor, as a person,’ Frankie expressed to the host.
‘He would show up every single day, and you know when you do something every day you can get annoyed – never. He was so happy to be there and so great to the crew and so great to everyone.’
‘So, in my head, he’s like my idol. No one deserves it more. He’s an incredible actor he’s done so many different things.’
Last year, a source told DailyMail.com that Frankie was ‘100 per cent ready’ for a Malcolm In The Middle reunion.
At the time, Cranston had also revealed that he was ‘curious’ to what the family would be up to years later.
‘Frankie is 100 per cent ready and into any type of reunion when it comes to Malcolm,’ the insider stated. ‘It is such an important part of his life, so to return to it and do something fun and see everyone again would be great.’
‘He shares Bryan’s thoughts on wondering what they would all be doing now and has his own ideas and really hopes that it works out and they can eventually do something.’
Frankie added, ‘You know what I mean? Like he’s done incredible films, incredible shows, won tons of awards. Like he’s literally It’
The source added, ‘He thinks that it would be awesome to have something for the 25th anniversary. Whether it be something [like] Friends did, a movie, or a full-on reboot. If the idea is awesome it would be a no-brainer.’
And during Tuesday’s podcast episode, Muniz shared his thoughts on stepping back in front of the camera for a Malcolm In The Middle reunion or reboot.
‘I want to see where Malcolm and his family are. I think it would be so fun, you know, 20 years later to see where everybody is. That’s what I would love to do again.’
Earlier this year in March, Frankie gave an update on whether a reboot could be possible while talking to PEDESTRIAN.TV.
He said that, ‘without giving away too much because there’s nothing confirmed, but it’s the closest it’s ever been to being a reality.’
‘I think it’d be a lot of fun to dive into that world and see where everybody is, as adults because really, the possibilities are endless where everybody can be. I’d love to explore it. And I know there are conversations happening.’
Muniz further explained, ‘We want to make sure it’s good. With an iconic show like we had, you don’t want to taint it. You want to have the same impact for the people who would want to watch it.’
Last year, a source told DailyMail.com that Frankie was ‘100 per cent ready’ for a Malcolm In The Middle reunion
‘I want to see where Malcolm and his family are. I think it would be so fun, you know, 20 years later to see where everybody is. That’s what I would love to do again,’ Frankie said
And earlier this month, Frankie was notably involved in a NASCAR crash that involved multiple vehicles during a race in Phoenix.
The former I’m A Celebrity star was slightly injured during the pileup, which took place during the 99th lap of the 150 lap race at the Phoenix raceway.
According to Sportskeeda, the former Malcom in the Middle star’s #27 Ford F-150 was involved in the crash after fellow driver Connor Mosack hit the wall on the second turn.
Other drivers involved in the crash were Tyler Ankrum, Stefan Parsons, Thad Moffitt, William Salawich, Andres Perez de Lara, Spencer Boyd and Stewart Friesen.
The star was seen limping toward an ambulance after the crash in a video, uploaded on X by journalist Noah Lewis.
After medics gave him the all clear, the driver spoke about the disappointing end to the race.
Muniz, who has signed with RBR teams to go full-time in 2025, tried to see the bright side of the experience.
‘I felt like I got a good opportunity to run with some guys,’ he told journalist Peter Strata in an interview posted on X,’ I made a few passes, lost a few a spots on re-starts… it was good for me to figure out how to get by people… so that was really positive.’
And earlier this month, Frankie was notably involved in a NASCAR crash that involved multiple vehicles during a race in Phoenix; seen earlier this month in Arizona
Describing the crash, he said, ‘There was no where for me to go.’
‘I got hit from behind into the 42 and then the 42 got moved and the 18 was stopped and I went right into him. I don’t feel there was anything I could have done there,’ he explained.
The Miracle in Lane 2 star said the past season wasn’t what he had hoped for, but, ‘this proved I can race with guys, I can pass here.’
Looking forward to next season, Muniz claimed, ‘we’re going to be better next year and I’ve got the whole off-season to prepare.’