Justin Berfield, who famously portrayed Reese in the hit American sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, has broken his two-decade silence to explain why he stepped away from Hollywood. As fans eagerly await the four-episode revival premiering next month, Berfield shares insightful reflections on his life away from the spotlight.
In an exclusive appearance on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, the 40-year-old actor was asked if he had engaged in any interviews or podcasts since the original series ended. Berfield candidly replied, “No, like podcasts weren’t a thing and I’ve always just said no because like I wasn’t working on anything. I’m just like a stay-at-home dad! So, why am I going to do a podcast? Because I’m just chilling at home with my kid. So unless I had something to talk about, I’m like, I don’t want to go on a podcast.”
Though he stepped back from acting, Berfield stayed involved in entertainment behind the scenes as a producer and writer. He explained, “I was just like, I don’t care (about going on podcasts). I’m enjoying my life. Unless I have something to talk about current. I don’t want to go back in time and talk Malcolm.”
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Following the end of Malcolm in the Middle in 2006, Berfield and his wife Liza moved to Colorado seeking a fresh start. He reminisced about that period: “Lots of fly fishing. I still miss it. I love it because I just loved being somewhere so secluded. I was living in Denver so I was like in the city because I still like access to sports teams and good restaurants and things like that.”
He embraced life outside Hollywood, admitting he wasn’t “in demand” as an actor after the show but found contentment as a stay-at-home dad to his two children. “At that time I had no kids, so I was like, this is the perfect time to do this. So we lived there for three years and then we moved back to LA.”
The upcoming revival, titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, will bring back familiar faces including Frankie Muniz, Christopher Masterson, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek. Berfield reflected on reconnecting with his former castmates, saying, “It felt like time stopped, like we just got right back into it.”
Set to premiere on Disney+ this April 10, the revival follows Malcolm as he’s pulled back into his family’s chaos when his parents celebrate their 40th anniversary. Fans can look forward to a nostalgic yet fresh take on the beloved series.