For years, fans have wondered what became of Erik Per Sullivan, the actor who played Dewey in the beloved sitcom *Malcolm in the Middle*. Now, Jane Kaczmarek, who played the kids' mum, Lois, has finally shed some light on the matter.
The US show, which ran for seven seasons from 2000 to 2006, remains a favourite amongst fans. It follows the chaotic lives of the Cleaver family, with Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) as the middle child and the only one with a touch of genius. Malcolm is one of five siblings, including the ever-so-quirky Dewey.
While Dewey was a fan favourite, Per Sullivan, now 33, has largely disappeared from the public eye since the show's conclusion. However, speaking with *Malcolm France*, Kaczmarek reassured fans that Per Sullivan is "doing very well."
"He's well, he's very, very well," she said. "He did *Malcolm
for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14. He wasn't interested in acting, at all."
Per Sullivan has chosen to pursue a different path, attending a prestigious American university where he is studying Victorian literature. "He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he's asked us all to be quiet about and he loves Charles Dickens," Kaczmarek revealed. "He's doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show-business is the greatest thing in the world, it's not for everyone."
Per Sullivan's decision to step away from acting echoes a sentiment expressed by Muniz a couple of years ago. When asked about his former co-star's whereabouts, Muniz, now 38, admitted that he wasn't entirely sure.
"To be honest, I don't know what he's up to," Muniz explained. "I hate to say that because I've talked to him a few times since the show ended."
He continued: "I've talked to his parents a lot. When I was in the band, we went and played in the city where he lives and his parents came to the show but unfortunately he couldn't make it. So I got to talk to them, and he's been all over doing a lot of different things."
Muniz acknowledged that some actors find themselves drawn to other pursuits after their childhood stints in the limelight. "But one thing I know, some actors or some people just got to do it when they were a kid and then they wanted to experience other things and kind of live a more normal life out of the spotlight. I think that's what he wanted to do so good for him."
While Per Sullivan might have chosen a different path, his fans continue to be interested in his life. It seems that the desire for a "normal life" has led him away from the cameras, but he may still be active on social media. An unverified Instagram page bearing his name features a photo of Dewey from the series, accompanied by the caption: "Unforgettable moments as Dewey in the TV series Malcolm in the Middle." This suggests that although Per Sullivan may have moved on from acting, he still holds his time on *Malcolm in the Middle
dear.