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Erik Per Sullivan is a former child actor, who retired early from the showbiz industry. He’s probably still best known for his appearance in the Fox sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle.”
Age, Early Life, and Education Background
Erik Per Sullivan was born in Worcester, Massachusetts USA, under the Cancer zodiac sign on 12 July 1991, which makes him 31 years old as of 2023. He was born to Ann and Fred Sullivan, who own a Mexican diner called The Alamo; he doesn’t have any siblings. Sullivan is of Irish roots from his father’s side and Swedish through his mother. He’s fond of traveling to Sweden and can speak Swedish fluently.
Erik was educated at the private Roman Catholic school, Mount Saint Charles Academy, which is situated in Rhode Island. He took kid’s acting classes at the Dallas-based KD College. Erik also attended Phillips Exter Academy, in Exter, New Hampshire. In 2009, he matriculated to the University of Southern California, which is based in California.
Sullivan took saxophone and piano classes when he was a child, and attained a black belt in Taekwondo.
Hobbies and Interest
Erik likes listening to blues and jazz music; some of his favorite singers include Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald and his best-loved songs are “Mack the Knife” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
He’s also keen on traveling, and has toured various US states, and other European nations such as Norway and France.
The former actor is an animal lover, who has kept two pet dogs.
His favorite actors are Julia Roberts and Al Pacino, whereas his favorite films are “Runaway Bride,” and “The Terminal.”
Erik Per Sullivan – 30
Dewey – Malcolm in the Middle
Retired from acting in 2010.
Has kept a low-profile since retiring including not appearing at Malcolm In The Middle Cast Reunions. pic.twitter.com/vIgYYhAENJ
— Where Are They Now? (@WATNCelebrity) January 17, 2022
Career
Sullivan made his film debut with a cameo role in the commercially acclaimed 1998 sci-fi film “Armageddon,” which starred the likes of Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. In 2000, he landed the role of Dewey, who is Malcom’s younger brother, in the acclaimed American TV sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle,” which marked his career breakthrough. The sitcom follows the story of a young gifted boy named Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) who has a dimwitted, dysfunctional family, and struggles with various issues – he spends each day dealing with stingy neighbors, girls, and his bewildered family. Erik shared the screen with Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek and Christopher Masterson among others. He appeared in 151 episodes from 2000-2006.
Concurrently, Sullivan appeared in one TV series and two films, including the Larry Fessenden-directed psychological horror movie “Wendigo.” In 2002, he shared the screen with Diane Lane, Richard Gere and Olivier Martinez in the erotic thriller movie “Unfaithful,” which follows the lives of a couple whose marriage goes hazardously awry, when Connie Summer (played by Lane) repeatedly cheats on her husband Ed Summer (Gene) with a stranger named Paul Martel (Martinez). The film was a success, and had a box office collection of almost $200 million.
Sullivan voiced Sheldon in the 2003 computer-animated comedy film “Finding Nemo,” which was produced by Pixar Animation Studio. In 2006, he landed another voicing role as Mino in the adventure comedy movie “Arthur and the Invisibles.”
Sullivan retired after appearing in the 2010 teen crime movie “Twelve,” which is based on the 2002 eponymous novel by Nick McDonell. The film stars 50 Cent, Chace Crawford, and Emma Roberts.
Awards and Nominations
Sullivan’s performance in “Malcolm in the Middle” has seen him win two awards, both joint: YoungStar Award for Best Young Ensemble Cast – Television in 2000, and a Young Artist Award for Best Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) in 2003. For his performance in the sitcom, Sullivan was nominated for four Young Artist Awards and three Teen Choice Awards for Choice TV Sidekick. Moreover, He won a Fright Meter Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Wendigo.” In 2007 he received a James Joyce Award, the highest given by an Irish University society.
Sullivan is active on Instagram (@erik_persullivan) with over 60,000 followers.
Personal Life
In 2009, Sullivan dated the American film, TV and voice actress Daveigh Elizabeth Chase, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, who was born under the Leo zodiac sign on 24 July 1990 (33 years old). She’s possibly best known for her performances in the films “S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale,” “Stitch! The Movie,” and “Lilo & Stitch.” Her relationship with Sullivan was short-lived.
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Erik is of Caucasian ethnicity and has a pair of light brown eyes and brown hair. He’s 5ft 7ins (1.70m) tall, and weighs approximately 110lbs (50kgs).
Net Worth
Sullivan earned a decent sum from his childhood acting career. His net worth is estimated at around $3 million, as of 2023.
Sullivan’s “Malcolm in the Middle” Co-Stars
Frankie Muniz
Francisco Muniz IV was born on 5 December 1985, in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, which makes him 38 years old as of 2023. He’s the son of restaurant owner Francisco Muniz III, and nurse Denise Muniz. His performance in “Malcolm in the Middle” saw him nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. Muniz has appeared in various films including the 2002 teen comedy “Big Fat Liar,” the 2003 spy action “Agent Cody Banks” and the 2005 sports comedy “Racing Stripes.” He was considered one of the most successful and popular child stars at the peak of his career, and was named ‘one of Hollywood’s most bankable teens’. Muniz took a break from acting in 2008 to focus on his open-wheel racing career, competing in various racing competitions including Atlantic Championship and Rette Jones Racing. The New Jersey native is married to Paige Price, with whom he has a son named Mauz Mosley Muniz.
Bryan Cranston
American actor, producer and director Bryan Lee Cranston, is perhaps best known for portraying Walter White in the acclaimed Vince Gilligan’s AMC crime drama series “Breaking Bad.” He has received many awards including two Tonys, six Primetime Emmys, and a Golden Globe; he’s also been nominated for an Oscar. Cranston has appeared in numerous films, the most notable of which are “Saving Private Ryan,” “Contagion,” “Godzilla”, and “Upside.” He’s married twice: his first wife was the writer, Mickey Middleton (1977-1982) – he married his second wife Robin Dearden, in 1989, with whom the “Malcolm in the Middle” star has a daughter named Taylor Dearden, who is an actress.
Jane Kaczmarek
Kaczmarek was born on 21 December 1955, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA. She is a seven-time Primetime Emmy Award and three-time Golden Globe Award-nominated actress. Some of her most notable appearances are in the legal drama series “Equal Justice”, “Raising the Bar,” and the films “Falling in Love” and “The Heavenly Kid.” She was previously married to the actor Bradley Whitford, with whom she has three children, Mary Luisa, Frances Genevieve and George Edward.
