Frankie Muniz was once one of Hollywood’s most popular young stars. Muniz made his film debut in the 1997 made-for-TV movie, To Dance With Olivia.  Throughout the end of the 90s, Muniz received other small film and TV roles before eventually landing his breakthrough role as the title character on Fox’s popular sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle.  The show, which ran from 2000 to 2006, followed Malcolm, a young boy who was struggling to balance being extremely smart with fitting in at home and at school.  The show received extremely positive reviews, and was voted number 88 on Entertainment Weekly’s list of “New TV Classics.”  Although Munis starred in several films while Malcolm in the Middle was in its prime, when the show ended his career seemed to slow down.

In 2011, Muniz had a starring role in the low-budget film Pizza Man.  In the film, Muniz played Matt Burns, a college student who worked at his mother’s pizza shop in order to pay his way through college.  During the film, Matt received superpowers from a scientist who gives him a special tomato.   The movie received overwhelmingly negative reviews; however, one reviewer was kind enough to see the film’s bright side.  Movie reviewer Steve Pulaski stated: “Matt Burns is played by Frankie Muniz, an actor I’ve always enjoyed watching for his likable charm and commonalities that make him less a high-paid actor but more a regular guy who got lucky…Muniz works well, as he fits like a glove in the titular role.”

Over the last several years, Muniz has been relatively absent from the spotlight.  With a resume that includes hits like Malcolm in the Middle, and flops like Pizza Man, there’s no telling what the future holds for Muniz’ acting career.  However, with a host of interests outside of acting, Muniz seems to have lined himself up to be successful at anything he chooses to do.  Here are five fast facts about former child star, Frankie Muniz.

5. Frankie Muniz put his career on hold to become a professional race car driver.

Several years ago, Frankie Muniz put his acting career on hold to pursue a career as a professional race car driver.  During an interview, Muniz shared that he never intended to give up acting, but race car driving made him happier than he’d been in a long time.   Muniz also stated: “It is has been an incredible experience, and a very enjoyable break from Hollywood. At the same time, it is a real challenge and people don’t realize the physical, mental and financial challenges that come with racing. I have tremendous respect for the sport, the drivers and the racing community.”

4. Frankie Muniz learned to play the drums from Zac Hanson.

Aside from acting and race car driving, Muniz also enjoys playing the drum – a skill he learned from Zac Hanson, a former boy band drummer.  When Muniz took up music, he expressed that he would be perfectly fine if he had to leave his acting career behind.  He told interviewers: ““Even my family questions, ‘Well, why would you leave acting? Things were so good.’ When they see me playing drums they’ll come up to me after and go, ‘I get it. I’ve never seen you like that. I can just see it when you’re playing that that’s what you want to be doing. “In the fall of 2012, Muniz joined the Pennsylvania based band, Kingsfoil, as their drummer.  Jordan Davis, the band’s lead singer, stated: “The one thing I noticed with Frankie is that he had really given some time and some consideration into learning the songs…It was like, ‘Wow, he gets what we want,’ and it was really cool, and it was a great audition.”  After a two-year run with the band, Muniz parted ways with Kingsfoil in 2014 to pursue his interests in golf.

3. Frankie Muniz had a stroke.

In November 2012, at the age of 26, Frankie Muniz suffered his first ministroke. Almost a year to the day, he suffered another.  In November 2013, while riding his motorcycle, Muniz said that he immediately knew something was wrong.  During an interview with Good Morning America, he stated: “I couldn’t say words. I thought I was saying them! My fiance was looking at me like I was speaking a foreign language.”  Fortunately, Muniz’ mini strokes did not leave any lasting effects on the young star.  According to Dr. Richard B. Libman, these mini strokes are becoming increasingly popular among young adults; however, the cause is unknown.

2. Frankie Muniz is half Puerto Rican.

Although Frankie Muniz’ ethnic background is composed of several different groups, he is half Puerto Rican from his father’s side.  During an interview with the Chicago Tribune Muniz stated: “My dad is Puerto Rican and my mom is half Irish and half Italian. But I don’t look like any of that. Casting directors say I look like everybody.”  However, even though his has hispanic roots, Muniz does not speak Spanish.

1. Frankie Muniz is engaged.

In the fall of 2011, Muniz proposed to his long time girlfriend, Elycia Turnbow.  However, their engagement announcement came less than a year after the couple made headlines for a domestic violence dispute.  In February 2011, reports began surfacing that the couple had been involved in a domestic violence incident which resulted in Turnbow being punched and pushed by Muniz. The report also stated that Muniz held a gun to his head and Turnbow feared that he may have been suicidal.  However, after the argument, Muniz’ rep said: “A gun played no part in the argument and was voluntarily given to the police for safekeeping. There were no bruises and neither left the residence. He was not suicidal. She was not assaulted.”

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)