Why Malcolm in the Middle star Erik Per Sullivan hasn’t been seen in 18 years

Since childhood, it's clear many of us grew up watching countless episodes - and subsequent re-runs - of the hit family sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle.

First hitting our screens back in 2000 before going on for an impressive seven seasons, the beloved TV show launched the careers for a few members of the core cast which included Frankie Muniz who played the titular middle brother, Jane Kaczmarek and Bryan Cranston as parents, Lois and Hal, Christopher Kennedy Masterson and Justin Berfield as Malcolm's two older brothers, Francis and Reese.

However, many Fox viewers' favourite character was the family's youngest sibling named Dewey, played by Erik Per Sullivan, who has largely remained out of the spotlight since the series came to an end in 2007.

It's important to note that while he did star in the crime-thriller, Twelve, back in 2010 he had not been papped outside since a few years before - around 18 years ago.

Erik Per Sullivan starred as Dewey in the hit Malcolm and the Middle sitcom from the 2000s (Fox Television Studios)

Last week, Sullivan clearly shocked fans after getting spotted by paparazzi while out shopping in Boston.

Rushing to social media to share their reactions to seeing the child actor out and about after 18 years, one X user gushed: "He’s looking great! Hope he is happy and doing well!"

"Hope he’s living his best life out there," echoed a second, while another praised: "He looks happy and healthy. Good to see."

And a final fan beamed: "It’s wild seeing him again after all these years! Time really flies!"

It sure does!

So, why was Sullivan not publicly seen for almost two decades?

Well, according to Kaczmarek, who played his on-screen mum, following the success of the show, the actor turned his attention towards education.

Sullivan largely remained out of the spotlight after the show came to an end in 2007 (Fox Television Studios)

Now aged 33, he is understood to have attended university in the years since his supposed 'disappearance', and is now reportedly studying Victorian Literature as a graduate student.

The actress explained during an appearance at the Paris Manga Sci-Fi Show last year: "He’s very, very well.

"He did Malcolm for seven years. He started at seven, he ended at 14. He wasn’t interested in acting at all. He goes to school at a very, very, very prestigious American university that he’s asked us all to be quiet about."

She added: "I think so many people think being in show business is just the greatest thing in the world, and it’s not for everybody.

“He’s a very grateful kid, for Dewey."

It was announced recently that Sullivan would be the only central cast member that would not return to the big screen for the show's 2025 reboot - despite the fact his four big-name family members would be making a comeback.

The special is scheduled to land on Disney+ later this year, but will see Fargo actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark playing Dewey - as per Variety.