Star of “Malcolm in the Middle” Frankie Muniz explained in March why he was missing from two episodes of the hit show after walking off set.
The cult classic kids’ sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” ran from 2000 to 2006 and starred Muniz in the titular role. “There were two episodes I’m not in. I walked off the set,” Muniz explained during an episode of Australia’s “I’m A Celebrity” series, according to news.com.au. Apparently, tensions on set reached a “boiling point” because of the behaviors of “certain” unidentified people.
“Everyone was so afraid to stand up when certain people were controlling or rude or disrespectful. Like they walked on pins and needles,” he continued. “I was so mortified by seeing people afraid to stand up for themselves, I was like: ‘Say something.'”
‘Malcolm In The Middle Star’ Bryan Cranston Recalls Stunt That Could Have Killed Him https://t.co/TC7iNbTcvZ
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 28, 2024
“I didn’t care if they told me I was never going back, because it was worth it to me. It helped that the show was based around me,” Muniz continued, a statement that makes him one of the most likable people in entertainment.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 02: Frankie Muniz (L) and Paige Muniz attend the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation Celebrity Invitational Gala at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on December 02, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 18: Frankie Muniz, driver of the #30 Hair Club Ford, walks onstage during driver intros prior to prior to the ARCA Menards Series Race at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: ARCA Menards Series driver Frankie Muniz speaks to the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 65th Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Artem Chigvintsev, Frankie Muniz, Brie Bella and Nikki Bell speaks onstage at the Brie and Nikki Bella’s live edition of SiriusXM’s The Bellas Podcast on February 08, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
It should be noted that other than Bryan Cranston, none of the other leading cast from “Malcolm in the Middle” leaned into entertainment careers following the astounding success of the series. It is unclear who Muniz was referring to on set, but it is always lovely to hear someone stand up to bad behavior in the workplace.
Malcom in the Middle’s Bryan Cranston and Frankie Muniz reunite after 15 years. pic.twitter.com/pnt99a4ftF
— Pop Base (@PopBase) December 25, 2023
“I never felt like I fully fit in the Hollywood world, even though I was in the world. I was nominated for Emmys and Golden Globes, and I was going to all this stuff, and I was there, and I was like, how am I here?” Muniz told news.com.au. “I hated LA, so I kind of stayed in my own little world, my own little bubble. And moving to Arizona, I did it on a whim, and I realised immediately that I started looking up,” an experience shared by countless others who bailed on the dump of a city.
FONTANA, CA – MARCH 23: Actors Frankie Muniz and Geoff Stultz walk along pit road at the Auto Club Speedway track during DRIVE4COPD Pro-Am Celebrity Racing at Auto Club Speedway on March 23, 2012 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images for the COPD Foundation)
MONTMELO, SPAIN – MAY 13: Actor Frankie Muniz in the Red Bull Racing garage during final practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 13, 2017 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 04: Frankie Muniz and Paige Price attend People’s “Ones To Watch” at NeueHouse Hollywood on October 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
“I started enjoying looking at trees and birds in the sky. Going to the grocery store was a fun thing. You don’t get that in LA. It’s a miserable experience,” he concluded. (RELATED: Famous Actor Randomly Attacked By Homeless Man With Rock, Police Say)
And with that, Muniz may be the only child star to escape Hollywood and go on to be insanely well-rounded. I hope he inspires others in the entertainment industry to admit how miserable they are and to do better with their lives.