Meet Justin Berfield's family after Malcolm in the Middle star turned his back on Hollywood

After starring in Malcolm in the Middle for six years, Justin stepped away from acting and began working behind the scenes as a writer and producer. His executive producer credits include the 2007 film, The Pet Detective, and the 2022 reality series, Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules.

In his first interview in nearly 20 years, Justin opened up about why he took a step back from acting. 

"I fully just stopped acting," he told The Joe Vulpis Podcast. "I just never reached that level where I was that in demand, I guess. 

"I had no intention of ever becoming like Leonardo DiCaprio. Like, that guy, he's huge. He starred in TV, did comedy, and then he exploded but that was never my intention as an actor."

Justin revealed that he's spent the last few years as a stay-at-home dad. 

Explaining why he hasn't given any interviews in almost two decades, Justin said: "I've always said no because I wasn't working on anything. I'm just a stay-at-home dad so why am I gonna do a podcast?' he said.

"I'm just chilling at home with my kid," he added.

Justin shares two children with wife Liza Almeida.

After welcoming his first child in 2020, Justin shared the joyous news with his Instagram followers.

Sharing a sweet photo of his baby daughter, Justin opened up about fatherhood. "Becoming a father during a global pandemic has definitely made this transition interesting," he penned in the caption. "But having the extra time to spend with this little one has been fine with us!"

By 2024, Justin and his wife had welcomed a second child. 

The original stars of Malcolm in the Middle reprise their roles in the new reboot, Life's Still Unfair, which premiered on 10 April on Disney+ in the UK and Hulu in the US. 

Frankie Muniz, who shot to fame with his portrayal of the titular role, returns alongside his on-screen parents Jane Kaczmarek and Bryan Cranston.

Justin Berfield and Christopher Masterson also reprise their roles as siblings Francis and Reese.

Dewey actor Erik Per Sullivan is noticeably absent from the new series and has been replaced by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.

The miniseries follows Malcolm, now a father himself, living with his daughter Leah and girlfriend Tristan, having spent the last ten years shielding them from his family. 

But when Hal and Lois demand his presence at their 40th wedding anniversary, Malcolm is dragged back into their orbit. 

All four episodes of Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair are available to stream on Disney+ in the UK and Hulu in the US, so fans can binge-watch the series in one sitting. 

During his appearance on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, Justin revealed that he's only seen five episodes out of a total 151. 

"I just never watched them," he said. "I'm an actor… I cannot watch myself because I critique myself way too much."

He did admit, however, that his wife and children enjoy watching him on the show, adding: "I'll turn it on for my wife and kids and then I'll run away and leave the room. I'm like, 'Let me know when it's done.'"