Justin Berfield, the actor known for his role as Malcolm's older brother Reese in the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, has returned to the small screen after a decade-long hiatus. The 40-year-old actor, who stepped away from acting to focus on behind-the-scenes work and family life, is now back in the spotlight with the reboot of Malcolm in the Middle, titled Life's Still Unfair. This marks a significant moment for Berfield, who has been open about his decision to leave acting and his reasons for returning.
A Step Away from Acting
Berfield's decision to step away from acting was not a sudden one. After six years of starring in Malcolm in the Middle, he chose to focus on other aspects of the industry. In an interview, he revealed that he had no intention of becoming a Hollywood A-lister like Leonardo DiCaprio. Instead, he wanted to explore other avenues within the entertainment business.
"I fully just stopped acting," he said. "I just never reached that level where I was that in demand, I guess. I had no intention of ever becoming like Leonardo DiCaprio. Like, that guy, he's huge. He starred in TV, did comedy, and then he exploded but that was never my intention as an actor."
Berfield's focus shifted to working behind the camera, where he has since found success. He has served as an executive producer on projects such as the 2007 film The Pet Detective and the 2022 reality series Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules.
Family Life and Fatherhood
One of the most significant changes in Berfield's life was becoming a father. In 2020, he welcomed his first child with his wife, Liza Almeida. The actor shared the joyous news on Instagram, expressing his love for fatherhood despite the challenges of a global pandemic. By 2024, they had expanded their family with a second child.
"Becoming a father during a global pandemic has definitely made this transition interesting," he wrote in the caption of a sweet photo of his baby daughter. "But having the extra time to spend with this little one has been fine with us!"
The Malcolm in the Middle Reboot
The reboot, Life's Still Unfair, sees the return of the original cast, including Berfield, who reprises his role as Reese. However, the series also introduces some changes, with Dewey actor Erik Per Sullivan notably absent and replaced by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. The reboot follows the story of Malcolm, now a father, and his journey as he navigates life with his daughter and girlfriend while reconnecting with his family.
A Limited View of the Original Series
Interestingly, Berfield has only watched a handful of episodes from the original Malcolm in the Middle series. He revealed that he has only seen five episodes out of the total 151. This is due to his self-critical nature as an actor, which makes it challenging for him to watch himself on screen.
"I just never watched them," he said. "I'm an actor… I cannot watch myself because I critique myself way too much. I'll turn it on for my wife and kids and then I'll run away and leave the room. I'm like, 'Let me know when it's done.'"
Despite his limited viewing, Berfield's return to the show has been well-received, and he is excited to see how the reboot will resonate with fans.
