I can share that former child star Frankie Muniz has found a new passion and fulfillment in the world of professional race car driving, rather than the subjective nature of acting.
After wrapping up his hit sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” in 2006, Muniz, now 38, made the bold decision to take a hiatus from acting and pursue his love for racing. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the former actor explained his reasoning, saying, “As an actor, I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of great things, and people tell me, ‘I love your show, or I love this or that,’ but, you know, it’s all based on opinion.”
Seeking objective fulfillment
Muniz went on to highlight the stark contrast between the subjectivity of acting and the clear-cut nature of racing, saying, “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’s okay. I didn’t like it.’ As a race car driver, my perspective is objective. It’s in black and white. Either you win and are the fastest, or you are slow.
This desire for a more objective measure of success has driven Muniz’s transition from the Hollywood spotlight to the racetrack. “I was really kind of thrown off the deep end, but that’s how I like to do things,” he said. “When I do something, I like to commit fully, right? People often inquire about my hobbies. I don’t have hobbies. I want to be the best at whatever it is I do. If I am unable to commit the necessary time and effort, I will not pursue it. I don’t want to be mediocre. That’s not fun.”
Balancing Passions
Despite his newfound love for racing, Muniz admits that he still misses certain aspects of his acting career. “Now when I do projects, I have that mindset of, like, really putting my all into it,” he said. “I just want it to be a positive experience for everybody. I do miss it.”
In fact, Muniz even hinted at the possibility of returning to acting, sharing, “I did a movie last year… and that was probably one of the most difficult roles I ever played. But I loved every minute of it. Even though racing remains my primary focus, being on set made me realize that I could achieve more. We’ll see what happens in the future.
Leaving Los Angeles Behind
Muniz’s focus on racing has also led him to distance himself from the city of Los Angeles, which he has publicly criticized on social media. The actor, who now resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and son, acknowledged that his comments have sparked mixed reactions, but he stands by his assessment.
“I just know that I don’t like that city. It’s great to have a preconceived notion “Muniz said. However, I was still at the airport, which is not an easy place to set up. They make everything so hard, you know? And I was like, This is what I’m talking about.”
Partnering with Spirit Airlines
Muniz’s recent partnership with Spirit Airlines to promote their new “Go Comfy” travel option, which offers increased comfort and space, further highlights his busy lifestyle as a professional race car driver. The actor, who has logged over 529,000 airline miles this year, was “thrilled” to collaborate with the airline, stating, “I don’t think there was a better person to kind of spread that message of excitement about not having to be stuck in the middle than me.”
As Frankie Muniz continues to pursue his passion for racing, his story serves as a testament to the power of following one’s true calling, even if it means stepping away from the comforts of a successful acting career. His unwavering dedication and desire for objective fulfillment have led him to a new chapter, where the thrill of the racetrack takes precedence over the subjective nature of Hollywood.
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