Dewey Actor from 'Malcolm in the Middle' Rejects Revival Offer to Stay at Harvard

Erik Per Sullivan, who played the youngest brother Dewey, turned down 'buckets of money' to focus on his studies.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:13pm

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An abstract, minimalist composition featuring bold, jagged geometric shapes in high-contrast red and black, conceptually representing a child actor's choice to pursue academia over a Hollywood comeback.A former child star's decision to prioritize his Harvard education over a lucrative acting revival speaks to the changing priorities of young adults.Cambridge Today

The highly anticipated 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival will debut this week on Hulu, but one key cast member will be noticeably absent. Erik Per Sullivan, who played the youngest brother Dewey in the original series, has decided not to return for the reboot, opting instead to continue his studies at Harvard University. Despite being offered a significant financial sum to reprise his role, Per Sullivan declined, with his former co-stars saying he is an 'incredible student' focused on his academics.

Why it matters

The decision by Per Sullivan to forgo the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival highlights the challenges of balancing acting careers with higher education, especially for child stars who often struggle to transition into adult roles and lives. Per Sullivan's choice to prioritize his Harvard studies over a lucrative acting opportunity also speaks to the changing priorities of millennials and Gen Z, who are increasingly valuing education and personal growth over short-term financial gains.

The details

According to reports, the producers of the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival offered Per Sullivan 'buckets of money' to return to his iconic role as Dewey. However, the now 29-year-old actor declined, citing his desire to continue his studies at Harvard University, where he is currently pursuing a master's degree. Per Sullivan's former co-stars, including Jane Kaczmarek and Bryan Cranston, have expressed admiration for his decision, with Kaczmarek describing him as an 'incredible student' focused on his academics. Cranston also revealed that Per Sullivan mentioned he has not acted since childhood and simply did not want to return to acting at this stage of his life.

  • The 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival, titled 'Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair,' will debut on Hulu this Friday, April 11, 2026.
  • Per Sullivan last appeared as Dewey in the original 'Malcolm in the Middle' series, which ran for seven seasons from 2000 to 2006.

The players

Erik Per Sullivan

The actor who played Dewey, the youngest brother in the original 'Malcolm in the Middle' series. Per Sullivan is currently studying at Harvard University and declined the offer to participate in the show's revival.

Jane Kaczmarek

The actress who played Lois, the matriarch of the dysfunctional family in 'Malcolm in the Middle.' Kaczmarek revealed that Per Sullivan was offered a significant amount of money to return for the revival but chose to focus on his academics instead.

Bryan Cranston

The Emmy-winning star of 'Breaking Bad' who is reprising his role as the bumbling father Hal in the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival. Cranston shared that Per Sullivan was excited about the revival but ultimately decided not to participate.

Caleb Ellsworth-Clark

The actor who has been cast to play the role of Dewey in the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival, replacing the original actor Erik Per Sullivan.

Frankie Muniz

The actor who played the title character Malcolm in the original 'Malcolm in the Middle' series and is returning for the revival.

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What they’re saying

“He's studying Dickens and is an incredible student. They offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said, 'No thank you.'”

— Jane Kaczmarek, Actress who played Lois

“I talked to Erik, and I said, 'Hey, we got the show! It's going to come back.' He goes, 'Oh, that's fantastic!' And I go, 'Yeah, so we're looking forward to having you back.' He goes, 'Oh, no, no, I don't want to do it. But it's fantastic.'”

— Bryan Cranston, Actor who played Hal

“He's actually going to Harvard. He's really, really smart, and he's getting his master's at Harvard right now. He said, 'Oh God, no, I haven't acted since I was 9 or something. So I'm not into it.'”

— Bryan Cranston, Actor who played Hal

What’s next

The 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival will debut on Hulu this Friday, April 11, 2026, giving fans a long-awaited reunion with the dysfunctional family, minus the original Dewey.

The takeaway

Per Sullivan's decision to prioritize his Harvard education over a lucrative acting opportunity in the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival highlights the changing priorities of young adults, who are increasingly valuing personal growth and intellectual pursuits over short-term financial gains. This choice also underscores the challenges child stars face in transitioning to adult roles and lives, as they navigate balancing their acting careers with higher education and personal development.