Former child actor turned racing car driver and musician Frankie Muniz is best known for starring as the title character in Malcom in the Middle. His role in the immensely popular Fox sitcom earned him two Golden Globe Award nominations and an Emmy Award nomination, and he went on to star in big screen roles in Big Fat Liar, Deuces Wild, Racing Stripes and Agent Cody Banks. Named one of “Hollywood’s most bankable teens” in 2003, he was considered one of the most popular child actors of his generation before putting his acting career on hold to pursue a career as an open-wheel racing driver. Muniz has competed in the Atlantic Championship and most recently at the Daytona International Speedway in the ARCA Menards Series in 2022. Away from the worlds of acting and racing cars, the multi-talented Muniz was the drummer of indie rock group Kingsfoil from 2012 to 2014.
Born in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, Muniz grew up in North Carolina where he was discovered after appearing in a local production of A Christmas Carol playing Tiny Tim. After appearing in several commercials he made his movie debut in To Dance with Olivia in 1997, but his big break came several years later when he landed the title role in sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. The pilot episode was watched by more than 23 million people and Muniz was shot into the spotlight overnight. The show finished its run in May 2006, and although he has taken numerous breaks from acting to enjoy success in the music industry and as a racing car driver he has continued to appear on screen in the likes of The Rookie and as a co-host of Dancing with the Stars: Juniors.