Frankie Muniz Doesn’t Remember Much About His Role in “Malcolm in the Middle” Due to a Rare Brain Illness Rumor Debunked

Frankie Muniz, the star of Malcolm in the Middle, was a household name in the early 2000s. Playing Malcolm, the genius kid in a chaotic family, he won hearts with his wit and charm. But years later, a surprising rumor emerged: Muniz doesn’t remember much about his time on the show.

Fans were shocked and started speculating about what went wrong. Is his memory really wiped out, or are people just running with a half-baked story? Let’s break it down, one flashback at a time.

What happened to Frankie Muniz?

After Malcolm in the Middle wrapped up in 2006, Frankie Muniz decided to step away from acting. Instead, he followed a surprising passion: race car driving. Yes, Muniz traded scripts for speed and became a full-time racer.

For a while, it seemed like he was living a dream, zooming around tracks and chasing checkered flags. But in 2009, things took a dangerous turn. Muniz suffered a serious crash during a race, which left him injured and forced him to put his racing career on hold.

Around the same time, rumors started swirling about his health. As reported by Nine, rumors began circulating that he had been experiencing “mini-strokes,” also known as Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs).

According to The Stroke Foundation Australia, TIAs happen when blood flow to the brain gets temporarily blocked. They’re often called “mini-strokes” because the symptoms are similar, like dizziness and confusion, but they usually don’t cause permanent damage.

For years, Muniz thought he had TIAs, too. But after multiple tests, doctors couldn’t confirm that diagnosis. Eventually, Muniz found out that what he was experiencing wasn’t mini-strokes at all.

Instead, he was having something called aura migraines. These are a type of headache that can come with strange visual effects, like flashing lights or zigzag lines (per Migraine & Headache Australia). Sometimes they even mess with your balance or memory.

While these episodes are still unpleasant, the actor said he’s relieved they’re not as serious as strokes. Now, Muniz is married to his long-time partner, Paige Price, and even has a son. He’s also back on the racetrack, proving that nothing can keep him down for long.

Does Frankie Muniz suffer from memory issues?

The big question everyone wants answered: Does Muniz really not remember Malcolm in the Middle? The short answer: it’s complicated. Muniz admitted he has a “bad memory.” On Steve-O Wild Ride! podcast, he joked about being that friend who always forgets to text back.

He also said he’s had nine concussions over the years. These came from a mix of racing accidents and playing sports like basketball and football. All those hits to the head might’ve affected his memory a bit.

But Muniz doesn’t think his memory issues are just from the concussions. He explained that his life as a child star was so busy and chaotic, it’s no surprise he can’t recall every detail. As Muniz said:

I’ve thought about it a lot like over my years of like, you know, why do I have a bad memory? You know what I mean? The only logical thing I can say is, yeah, I’ve had nine concussions. I don’t want to blame the concussions or blame anything else. I just think it’s the fact that I did so f—ing much in that time frame that of course I can’t remember all of it.

Think about it: Muniz started acting at just eight years old. By the time he was a teenager, he was starring in a hit TV show, going to awards shows, and balancing a million other commitments. It was nonstop.

He does remember some things about Malcolm in the Middle, like his audition and meeting fans before the show even premiered. But for other memories, it’s a blur. So, he just thinks it’s normal to forget bits and pieces when life moves that fast.

Even after Malcolm, Muniz didn’t slow down. The 39-year-old played drums for a band, toured around the world, and even competed on Dancing With the Stars. He’s done so much that forgetting a few details here and there feels pretty normal.

How Frankie Muniz’s memory loss became a talking point

So, how did the rumor about Muniz’s “memory loss” get so big? It all started with an episode of Dancing With the Stars in 2017. Muniz competed on the show and made it all the way to the finals. During one episode, the contestants were asked to talk about their “most memorable year.” On the same podcast, he explained:

Most people would think that my most memorable year would be the year that ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ started because it allowed me to live all these dreams of mine. I’ve gotten to really do anything I’ve wanted to do, but the truth is I don’t really remember much of that.

Muniz added:

‘I don’t remember what I felt then. I don’t, you know? It was me kind of blowing off the fact that I can’t say ‘That’s my favorite year’ because I can’t tell you what happened in 2001. … I had to say, like, ‘I don’t really remember.’ But I wasn’t saying I don’t remember anything.

The next day, headlines from Time to the Huffington Post screamed that Frankie Muniz couldn’t remember his time on Malcolm in the Middle. Stories about his memory loss spread like wildfire. Fans were worried, and the media had a field day.

Malcolm in the Middle is available to watch on Disney+!