Malcolm in the Middle Star Skips Revival to Study at Harvard Instead

Erik Per Sullivan, beloved for playing Dewey on “Malcolm in the Middle,” is currently pursuing his master’s degree at Harvard University, following a remarkable academic journey that has taken him far from his television roots. The former child actor’s on-screen father, Bryan Cranston, recently revealed his impressive educational achievement during an appearance on the Fly on the Wall podcast.

Cranston couldn’t contain his pride when discussing Sullivan’s current endeavors, highlighting both his intelligence and dedication to higher education. “He’s actually going to Harvard,” Cranston shared with hosts David Spade and Dana Carvey on June 11. “He’s really, really smart, and he’s getting his master’s at Harvard right now,” he explained.

Sullivan’s academic path is a significant departure from the entertainment industry careers many former child actors pursue. After stepping away from Hollywood in 2010, he has dedicated himself to intellectual pursuits, ultimately earning admission to one of the world’s most competitive graduate programs.

The actor’s commitment to education became evident when Cranston reached out about the upcoming “Malcolm in the Middle” revival for Disney+. While Sullivan expressed enthusiasm about the show’s return, he made it clear that his academic priorities take precedence over any potential return to television.

Choosing Academia Over Acting

Sullivan’s academic focus aligns with what his on-screen mother, Jane Kaczmarek, observed about his post-Malcolm career choices. During an April 2024 appearance at the Paris Manga Sci-fi Show, she noted that Sullivan “wasn’t interested in acting at all” after the show ended when he was 14 years old.

“So many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world, [but] it’s not for everyone,” Kaczmarek explained. Sullivan’s path led him from the University of Southern California to Harvard, where he’s now pursuing graduate studies.

While his former castmates prepare to revisit their old roles, photographers recently captured Sullivan running errands in Boston, fully immersed in his academic life. Despite choosing a different path, he appears to look back fondly on his Malcolm days. Sullivan has posted throwback photos with captions like “How lucky I am.”

Revival Brings Much of Cast Together After 25 Years

The “Malcolm in the Middle” revival has been years in the making, with discussions beginning as early as 2015 during a dinner between Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston. Nearly a decade later, the four-episode Disney+ series is finally becoming a reality. It will bring most of the original Wilkerson family back together.

“And the fact that now 10 years later, 25 years after the show started, it’s going to happen—I’m really excited,” Muniz shared with E! News in February. “I think people are going to be thrilled to see everybody and the ideas that they’ve come up with.”

The revival will center around Malcolm returning home for his parents’ 40th anniversary party, bringing his daughter Leah along for the family reunion. Most of the original cast members have signed on, including Kaczmarek as Lois, Cranston as Hal, and the brothers Malcolm, Francis, and Reese, played by their original actors.