The Malcolm in the Middle cast is filled with great actors – both sitcom staples and traditional dramatic performers in comedic roles – playing the show’s delightfully wacky characters. Created by Linwood Boomer, Malcolm in the Middle revolves around the titular child prodigy and the various misadventures he gets into with his dysfunctional family. From its single-camera shooting style to its regular fourth-wall breaks, Malcolm in the Middle made a few stylistic revolutions to the TV comedy format that went on to influence future sitcoms. Its dark, surreal comic sensibility was also a radical break from the family sitcom style.
A consistent ratings success and a hit with critics, Malcolm in the Middle ran for seven seasons on the Fox broadcast network. Throughout its run, the series won many prestigious awards – including a Peabody Award. While the writing was highly acclaimed, Malcolm in the Middle received particular praise for the work of its hilarious ensemble cast. From Frankie Muniz, one of the most prolific teen stars of the 2000s, to Bryan Cranston in an early comedic role, the Malcolm in the Middle cast is full of great actors playing its zany characters. Here's who played who in the Malcolm in the Middle cast and what else they're known for.
Frankie Muniz As Malcolm
Frankie Muniz leads the Malcolm in the Middle cast as the main protagonist and sometimes narrator of the series, child prodigy Malcolm. Muniz’s film roles include Scooch in Deuces Wild, Jason Shepherd in Big Fat Liar, the title character in the teen spy movie Agent Cody Banks and its sequel, and the voice of the titular zebra in Racing Stripes. He also made a cameo appearance as Buddy Holly in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. In 2008, Muniz went on a hiatus from acting to pursue a career in open-wheel racing. He was also the drummer for the indie rock band Kingsfoil from 2012 to 2014.
Bryan Cranston As Hal
Malcolm’s goofy dad, Hal, is played by Bryan Cranston. The actor is best known for playing the lead role of chemistry teacher-turned-meth kingpin Walter White in Breaking Bad, which earned him four Emmys. On the big screen, Cranston has played supporting roles like Shannon in Drive, CIA Deputy Director Jack O’Donnell in Argo, and Joe Brody in the 2014 remake of Godzilla. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his turn as blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in the biopic Trumbo. Cranston also reprised his Tony-winning role as President Lyndon B. Johnson in the HBO made-for-TV movie adaptation of All the Way.
Jane Kaczmarek As Lois
Jane Kaczmarek appears in the Malcolm in the Middle cast as Malcolm’s bad-tempered, overbearing mother, Lois. Her work on Malcolm in the Middle earned her three Golden Globe nominations and seven Emmy nominations. Kaczmarek has played starring roles on other TV shows, like Linda in Equal Justice and Judge Trudy in Raising the Bar, as well as recurring roles such as Holly in Cybill and Maureen Cutler in Frasier. Her film roles include Ann Raftis in Falling in Love, Emily Barnes in The Heavenly Kid, David and Jennifer’s mom in Pleasantville, and Jane Lindel in CHiPs.
Justin Berfield As Reese
Reese, Malcolm’s less academically gifted and much more obnoxious older brother, is played by Justin Berfield. Before his role in the Malcolm in the Middle cast, Berfield played “forgotten child” Ross Malloy on the WB sitcom Unhappily Ever After. Berfield has also appeared in comedy movies; he played Danny Hughes in Who’s Your Daddy? and had a minor role as a caption writer in Max Keeble’s Big Move. He lent his voice to the roles of Gill in Kim Possible and Ving in The Fairly OddParents. Since 2010, Berfield has been the Chief Creative Officer of the Virgin Group’s film and television production arm, Virgin Produced.
Erik Per Sullivan As Dewey
Erik Per Sullivan appears in the Malcolm in the Middle cast as Dewey, Malcolm’s sweet, kind-hearted younger brother. Sullivan’s highest-profile movie role is Spike, the son of Dan Aykroyd’s character, in Christmas with the Kranks. He also played Fuzzy in The Cider House Rules and the title character in the 2007 indie film Mo. His voice roles include Mino in Arthur and the Invisibles and Sheldon the seahorse in Pixar’s hit movie Finding Nemo and its tie-in video game. Sullivan has kept a low profile since his last acting credit as Timmy in the teen crime drama Twelve in 2010.
Christopher Kennedy Masterson As Francis
Malcolm’s oldest brother, Francis, who was sent to a military school at a young age and ended up working on a dude ranch, is played by Christopher Kennedy Masterson. The actor has played movie roles like Bowen in Cutthroat Island, Scotty O’Neal in the unconventional rom-com My Best Friend’s Wedding, Daryl Dawson in American History X, and Buddy Sanderson in Scary Movie 2. Outside his work on Malcolm in the Middle, Masterson has also played such TV roles as Todd in That ‘70s Show and the voice of Shane G. in The Wild Thornberrys.
Malcolm In The Middle Supporting Cast & Characters
David Anthony Higgins as Craig Feldspar - Craig Feldspar, Lois’s co-worker with an unrequited crush on her who later becomes Reese’s roommate, is played by David Anthony Higgins. The actor is known for his regular appearances as Joe on Ellen and Reginald Bitters on Big Time Rush, as well as his recurring role as Harry on Mike & Molly.
James and Lukas Rodriguez as Jamie - Hal and Lois’s youngest child is played by identical twin brothers James and Lukas Rodriguez. They also played a sick child in a season 7 episode of Without a Trace.
Emy Coligado as Piama Tananahaakna - Emy Coligado plays Francis’s wife, Piama Tananahaakna, whom he married off-screen during his time in Alaska. Coligado also played Poppy Tang in Chuck and Emmy, the medical examiner’s assistant, in Crossing Jordan.
Catherine Lloyd Burns as Caroline Miller - Catherine Lloyd Burns appears in the Malcolm in the Middle cast in its first two seasons as Malcolm’s teacher Caroline Miller. Burns also played Heather Pond in Partners, Mona Guillingsvard in LateLine, and Linda Witherbottom in Search Party.
Craig Lamar Traylor as Stevie Kenarban - Malcolm’s best friend, Stevie Kenarban, is played by Craig Lamar Traylor. The actor made his acting debut with the role of Michael on ER and had a minor role as a child in the classroom in Matilda.
Gary Anthony Williams as Abe Kenarban - Stevie’s father and a close family friend is played by Gary Anthony Williams. The actor is known for his voice roles as Uncle Ruckus in the animated series The Boondocks and General Horace Warfield in the video game StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. He also appeared on the improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and played the recurring role of Clarence Bell in Boston Legal.
Kyle Sullivan as Dabney Hooper - Malcolm’s cowardly classmate Dabney Hooper is played by Kyle Sullivan. The actor was a regular performer on the sketch show All That and played Larry Gold in the sitcom The War at Home.
Chris Eigeman as Lionel Herkabe - The antagonist of the Malcolm in the Middle cast, Lionel Herkabe replaces Caroline as Malcolm’s teacher. Eigeman is known for the recurring role of Jason Stiles in Gilmore Girls, as well as his characters in Noah Baumbach films, like Max Belmont in Kicking and Screaming and Dashiell Frank in Mr. Jealousy.