Justin Berfield, best known for playing Reese in Malcolm in the Middle, has opened up about why he stepped away from acting for two decades before returning for the show’s reboot.
The 40-year-old actor, who now reprises his role in the four-part revival Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, said he never originally planned on coming back to the industry after leaving Hollywood. The new series reunites much of the original cast, including Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Frankie Muniz, and Christopher Masterson.
In a recent interview, Berfield explained that his decision to step away came after years of nonstop work that began in childhood. Having started acting at just five years old, he said he spent much of his early life on set and eventually wanted to experience something different beyond the entertainment industry.
After Malcolm in the Middle ended, Berfield transitioned into producing and also focused on family life, spending years as a stay-at-home father to his two children. He and his wife, Liza Almeida, have since welcomed two kids, born in 2020 and a few years later, and he has largely kept their lives private.
Berfield also revealed that during his time away, he worked behind the scenes on various projects and spent time traveling and adjusting to life outside of acting. Eventually, marriage and fatherhood took center stage, and he said the years simply passed by before the opportunity to return emerged.
Reflecting on his comeback, he said stepping back onto set after 20 years felt surprisingly low-pressure, as he focused more on enjoying the experience than worrying about expectations. He credited the familiar creative team, including original series creator Linwood Boomer, for making the return feel comfortable and creatively consistent.
As filming wrapped, Berfield shared his excitement on social media, describing the experience as a joyful reunion with old colleagues and a chance to revisit a character he hadn’t played in decades. He added that while it was fun returning to acting, he was also content embracing everyday family life again after the project concluded.
