Malcolm in the Middle's Frankie Muniz has had a wild career change
Back in the 00s - or whatever we're calling them - Malcolm in the Middle was hugely popular and Frankie Muniz seemed like he'd be one of those child stars who would go on to become a regular fixture in Hollywood.
Now, he's still famous but these days he's more of a 'cameo as former child star Frankie Muniz' or 'appeared in Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness' type of famous.
Muniz is the guy from Malcolm in the Middle, a show which ended all the way back in 2006 even if Bryan Cranston is apparently working on a reboot.
Advert
Explaining why he largely walked away from Hollywood shortly after Malcolm in the Middle fame, Muniz said that he wanted to do something else.
He said: "I kind of left the business for a little bit. I started doing other things. I was racing cars. I joined a band.
"I was touring all over. I opened some businesses and I got to experience so many amazing things in my life, which now at this point has made me able to reflect and look back and be so appreciative of the experience."
One of his big passions in life is racecar driving and he was enjoying it at the height of his fame, competing in the Formula BMW USA Championship in 2006 before racing in the ace in the ChampCar Atlantic Championship between 2007 and 2009.
He also got into Stock Car driving recently, and Muniz credits getting behind a wheel instead being of in front of a camera with saving his life.
The star said it was 'probably difficult to go from having such success at a young age' and suggested that 'a lot of people try to replace the missing feeling of [being] wanted with something else'.
He suggested it 'really is a negative for a lot of people' which could lead them into certain behaviours which many other child stars have fallen foul of.
All this has culminated in an impressive career change for Muniz, who will officially become a full-time NASCAR driver in the ARCA Menards Series.
It's what he wants to do and he's pledged to give it '100 per cent' as he's up against seasoned pros.
He said: "If I want to make it to any level of NASCAR - ARCA, Trucks, whatever it is - I'm racing against people who have been doing it since they were six years old, and I've gotta do it quickly."
He'll be racing on 18 February at Daytona International Speedway and if you see a Ford Mustang with a number 30 on it you'll know it's Frankie Muniz behind the wheel of that car.
Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film
Joe Harker