What happened to Frankie Muniz? Malcolm in the Middle star injured in freak accident

Frankie Muniz faced an unexpected setback after a freak accident at home left him sidelined from NASCAR. The Malcolm in the Middle alum revealed on Instagram, that he broke his wrist when he fell from a ladder while trying to change the batteries in a backyard security camera.

“The phrase ‘FML’ (Frankie Muniz’s Life) takes on new meaning with moments like these, I’m disappointed to share that I won’t be racing at Darlington this weekend or for the next few weeks due to a distal radius fracture.” he shared on Instagram.

He admitted that he had ignored the ladder’s safety warning.

“Yesterday, I fell from the top of a ladder while changing the batteries in a Ring camera in my backyard, note to self: heed the ladder warning that says, ‘Do not sit or stand on top step.’ In hindsight, a taller ladder would’ve been smarter.” he explained.

The actor, who shares a young son, Mauz, with his wife Paige, said he was “gutted to miss the races” but grateful his injuries were not worse. Doctors estimated a recovery period of six to eight weeks. Reaume Brothers Racing confirmed that driver Mason Maggio would replace him at Darlington this weekend.

Frankie Muniz’s NASCAR struggles reveal the brutal reality of racing

Frankie Muniz has been learning firsthand just how unforgiving the racetrack can be. The actor, who shifted into professional racing in 2023, endured one of his most difficult days on April 18 during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. After his truck’s power steering line burst, he lost nearly 20 laps, cut his hand trying to steer, and wound up finishing in 23rd place. Reflecting afterward, Muniz shared on X:

“If I’m being 100% honest… Mentally/emotionally I may be at a new low. Just wanted to say it out loud.”

Speaking with NASCAR reporter Peter Stratta, Frankie Muniz admitted the delay was “the hardest thing” he had ever dealt with.

“It’s really hard to be out there and wanting to do competitive lap times when you’re already kinda out of the race,” he shared.

At first, there was optimism. Frankie Muniz felt the vehicle was “fast” and believed he could run with the pack. But as he put it, mechanical failures left him with no choice but to “stay out of the way.” Even so, he kept perspective:

“These are one of the ones where you go, ‘Man, if we didn’t have this [issue], we could’ve [finished] in the top 15.’ But either way, I’m still learning.”

This wasn’t Muniz’s only setback. Since notching a top-10 finish at Daytona in February, he has struggled to crack the top 20 and even lost control of his car during a race in Arizona last fall. But while racing has tested him, his Hollywood career offers steadier ground: Disney+ has tapped him to return for a revival of Malcolm in the Middle, placing him back where his fans first fell in love with him.

Frankie Muniz reveals why he traded scripts for speed

Frankie Muniz made no secret of how much racing meant to him when he spoke publicly about the career move last year.

“As an actor, like, I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of great things and people tell me, ‘I love your show, or I love this or love that,’ but, you know, it’s all based on opinion,” he told Fox News Digital.

He continued:

“I could show up to work as an actor and dedicate my life to the role and feel like I did the best job ever. And then people see it and go, ‘Yeah, it was OK. I didn’t like it.’ Where, as a race car driver, it’s not subjective. It’s in black and white. You either win and you’re the fastest or you’re slow.” he explained.

Muniz added that he never approached new pursuits halfway.

“I was really kind of thrown off the deep end, but that’s how I like to do things, when I do something, I like to commit fully… I don’t want to be mediocre. That’s not fun.” he shared.

When he appeared on Fox & Friends, the announcement carried a boyhood-dream quality.

“I can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and the fact that I actually get to announce that I’m doing it full-time next year, I’m thrilled. I can’t wait.” he explained.

He promised to approach NASCAR with the same intensity he had brought to acting:

“If I’m going to do this, I want to dedicate myself to it 100%… doing everything I can to be prepared for the races and to be the best race car driver I can be.” he explained.

Are you a Malcolm in the Middle fan? Sound off in the comments section.