Frankie Muniz is starting a new chapter

Jael Rucker

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Frankie Muniz is starting a new chapter image

Exciting things are on the way for Frankie Muniz.

First up on the docket is a new partnership with Autotrader for the "Fasterclass" video series to showcase faster and smarter ways to buy a car. The series uses a combination of data, smart technology and Autotrader's features to help car buyers find the right vehicle for their lifestyle and budget. In a three-minute video, Muniz can be seen detailing shopping solutions for customers led by smart technology and data to help buyers navigate what can be a stressful process.

Aside from this campaign, Muniz is, of course, a successful racing driver. If you're a 2000s kid like me, however, you grew up with Muniz starring in Y2K classics like "Malcolm in the Middle," "Agent Cody Banks" and "Big Fat Liar," so I was excited to talk to the actor about all of his current projects, which include the upcoming "Malcolm in the Middle" reboot "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair." You can check out the interview below.

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SN: What first made you interested in racing, and what keeps you passionate about it today?

Muniz:  I fell in love with racing because I’ve always been interested in cars and they’ve been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I would even watch racing as a kid, but what drew me to racing cars professionally in 2006 was the challenge, because it requires a level of dedication that’s unmatched. I acted for most of my young life, and acting is really more subjective. To me, racing is more black-and-white, and because you’re competing against the best in the world, it requires 100% focus. I’ve remained so passionate about the sport because racing has taught me a lot about work ethic, which has carried over into other parts of my life and helped me understand that if you don’t put in the effort and training necessary, you won’t see that success materialize. It’s really rewarding when you work so hard for something and get to see that investment pay off. 

SN: When you look back at Malcolm in the Middle and your early acting career, what’s one thing you’ve learned that still sticks with you?

Muniz:  Playing Malcolm was a role that was really comfortable for me, and it’s been awesome to see the lasting impact that show has had on people, even now. I loved everything I got to experience as an actor and am so grateful for the opportunities I received at a young age, but I always felt like a little bit of an outsider in the entertainment world. My appreciation and fondness for the character have definitely grown over time knowing how much the show continues to mean to people. My wife and I actually watched the original episodes for the first time in 2017, and it was nice to look back on because I realized that I was always so content playing that character.

SN: What was it like being back together with the Malcolm in the Middle cast and stepping back into that role after all these years?

Muniz:  It was a dream come true to step back into the role of Malcolm and be reunited with the cast and crew. It’s so awesome to be a part of a show that had huge success, and getting another opportunity to come back was really cool. My co-star Bryan Cranston was also just such an inspiration to me growing up, so it was great to be reunited with him; it was like seeing family. He’s so talented and taught me a lot about hard work and kindness when I was young, so it was awesome to work together again. We all had a blast, and I felt like no time had passed when I stepped back into that character. Now, I’m just excited for people to see it and personally, I think they’re all going to love it.

SN: How has becoming a parent changed your day-to-day life or your overall perspective?

Muniz:  Being a dad has been so rewarding, and I was also surprised by how motivating it’s been. When my son was born, I had the realization that I really wanted to be someone he could look up to and be proud of, which is what encouraged me to go back to racing. It’s been a balancing act because, of course, racing takes me away from my family at times, but I also prioritize being a good dad and a good husband. It was cool to step back into the Malcolm in the Middle role and be on a set where I grew up, but this time be there with my son. I wanted him to be a part of it in some way as well, so he actually made a brief cameo in the reboot.

SN: What made you want to partner with Autotrader for this Fasterclass video series campaign?

Muniz:  I'm thrilled to partner with Autotrader for their new Fasterclass series because it’s been a really organic partnership. I actually used Autotrader recently myself, specifically the Private Seller Exchange feature, to purchase a vehicle, and found that Autotrader helps streamline the whole process.

It was great getting to host the Fasterclass series! It’s a 3-part video series where people can tune in and learn to use the tools featured on Autotrader so they can get time back that they would normally lose searching for the right car. Autotrader is an amazing tool that really makes the process as easy as possible, whether it be online or in-store. Also, the first 300 people who complete the series will get a $25 prepaid card, so that’s pretty awesome as well.

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Staff Writer