ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Malcolm in the Middle star who played Dewey seen for first time in 18 years

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Updated 12:41 2 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 11:01 2 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Malcolm in the Middle star who played Dewey seen for first time in 18 years

Erik Per Sullivan has been snapped out in public for the first time in years after retiring from acting

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Erik Per Sullivan, best known for playing Dewey in the iconic sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, has been seen in public for the first time in years.

The former child star has managed to steer clear of any media attention since the show wrapped in 2006, very much living his own life with no intention to return to Hollywood in any capacity.

A fan-favourite character in the TV series, fans have long been wondering what Per Sullivan has been up to in the almost two decades since the show's close.

His Malcolm in the Middle co-stars have previously explained that he wants to remain out of the spotlight, and that he was actually studying Victorian Literature at University.

Advert

Sadly for fans of the sitcom, it was confirmed that the child actor would not be returning for the show's reboot, which is set to be released on Disney Plus.

Not to fear though, as the rest of the main cast, that being Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield, are set to reprise their roles as Dewey's parents and brothers.

As well as this, the role will be reprised by a different actor - Caleb Ellsworth-Clark - who is more or less the spitting image of the character.

But fans are still desperate to know what the graduate student is doing when he's not reading texts from the 1800s.

Now, Per Sullivan has recently snapped while out and about getting some coffee in Boston on 26 March.

He can be seen wearing a thick grey jumper and green pants while holding some shopping bags.

It's been 15 years since the actor has been on the big screen, having made an appearance in crime-thriller Twelve back in 2010. However, he hasn't been snapped outside of that since 2007.

Erik Per Sullivan was recently seen out and about in Boston (The US Sun / News Licensing)
Erik Per Sullivan was recently seen out and about in Boston (The US Sun / News Licensing)

While fans of the classic 2000s show will be gutted that Per Sullivan is giving the show's long-awaited return a miss, they'll be happy to know that he is still in touch with many of the show's co-stars.

He did grow up with them, after all.

Speaking about the retired actor in April 2024, Kaczmarek - plays the character's mum, Lois - said ‘he wasn't interested in acting, at all.’

She went on to say: “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.”

Per Sullivan will not be making an appearance in the Malcolm in the Middle reboot (Fox)
Per Sullivan will not be making an appearance in the Malcolm in the Middle reboot (Fox)

Star of Malcolm in the Middle Frankie Muniz has also spoken out about his on-screen brother's career choices, saying: “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.

"So I got to talk to them, and he's been all over doing a lot of different things.

"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.”

Featured Image Credit: The US Sun / News Licensing

Topics: TV, Celebrity

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

X

@joshnair10

Recommended reads

US army 'going hungry' after horrifying images of food emergesentdefender/XCharity cuts ties with Sharon Osbourne as she backs Tommy Robinson rallySteve Granitz/FilmMagicTrump-endorser Caitlyn Jenner can no longer travel internationally because of Trump's passport policy(Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Sky)Bride reveals ongoing trauma after sister-in-law throws black paint over her in brutal act of revenge(Cover Images)

Advert

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
20 hours ago
  • Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
    16 hours ago

    Charity cuts ties with Sharon Osbourne as she backs Tommy Robinson rally

    Centrepoint have said the rally 'does not align with our values'

    Entertainment
  • Marleen Moise/Getty Images
    16 hours ago

    Kendall Jenner responds to plastic surgery rumours as she admits what she has actually had done

    The model explained that she 'didn’t love' one non-invasive treatment

    Entertainment
  • Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images
    16 hours ago

    Dylan Sprouse holds tresspasser at gunpoint after terrifying home invasion

    Police have revealed why they decided haul the intruder in for questioning

    Entertainment
  • Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
    20 hours ago

    Ice Spice responds after footage emerges of her being assaulted inside a McDonalds restaurant

    Her legal representative said it had been referred to the LAPD

    Entertainment
  • What Dewey from Malcolm in the Middle does now 18 years after ditching Hollywood for new career
  • Malcolm in the Middle star turned down 'buckets of money' to return for reboot
  • Frankie Muniz breaks down heartbreaking memory troubles after 'forgetting Malcolm in the Middle'
  • Malcolm in the Middle reboot hints at iconic trio 'throuple' in surprising scene