Once a 2000s heartthrob, this now 'bald' star lost his memory

This actor rose to fame as a child star, becoming a household name as the lead in Malcolm in the Middle.

With multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe nod, he seemed to have the world at his feet.

However, behind the scenes, the actor was struggling with both a toxic work environment and health challenges.

Early life and career

Born in New Jersey, Frankie Muniz began acting at a young age but shot to stardom with his iconic role in Malcolm in the Middle, which ran for seven seasons.

The sitcom told the story of Malcolm, a highly intelligent boy navigating life as a middle child in a dysfunctional family. The actor’s portrayal of Malcolm, with his quick wit and frustration at his chaotic home life, earned him widespread acclaim.

His performance was pivotal to the show’s success, leading to Golden Globe nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series in both 2001 and 2002.

After Malcolm in the Middle ended in 2006, he shifted gears and pursued other passions, including professional car racing and playing drums in several rock bands.

Later, he managed one of those bands while still hoping to return to acting. However, Muniz opened up about why he was absent from two episodes of the show, despite being the main character.

Toxic work environments and health issues

He revealed that he walked off the set due to a toxic work environment. “I was so mortified by seeing people afraid to stand up for themselves,” he said (per News.com.au) explaining how certain individuals on set created a tense atmosphere. He remarked: “Say something.”

At the time, Muniz was earning about $150,000 per episode, cementing his status as “Hollywood’s most bankable teen.” Despite his financial success, he chose to step back from acting and focus on other interests, particularly racing. Reflecting on his decision in an interview on Steve-O’s podcast, he said: “I’m so much of a happier person, having stepped away.”

In 2017, Muniz appeared on Dancing With the Stars, where he revealed that he had suffered from nine concussions over the years, starting with one he experienced at age seven.

He also discussed his struggles with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes, which led to severe memory loss. In fact, his memory was so poor that he couldn’t recall the feeling of receiving his first Emmy nomination in 2001. Despite his health issues, Muniz stated: “I’m 31, I’ve never sipped alcohol, I’ve never touched a drug or taken a drag of a cigarette. The only thing I’ve felt was stress.”

Frankie Muniz in recent years

In January 2020, he joked about his changing appearance, tweeting: “In 2002 I was nominated for a Golden Globe. In 2020, I’m just sitting here staring in the mirror at my balding head.”

Despite the lighthearted post, things were looking up for Muniz. He married Paige Price in 2020 after proposing in 2018. Describing his wedding day, Muniz said: “No, my wedding day was literally the best day of my life!”