Anyone who watched Malcolm In The Middle knows who Justin Berfield is. He played Reese, one of the hilarious brothers in the beloved early 2000s sitcom. Reese was always one of the more violent and impulsive brothers of the family. He was also usually pretty stupid. But he had some really great moments in the show. So who is Justin Berfield? When did he start acting? Does he still act today? And what were Reese’s best moments in the sitcom, Malcolm In The Middle? Here is everything you need to know about Justin Berfield including his best moments as Reese.
Justin Berfield Early Life
Justin Berfield was born on the 25th of February in the year 1986. He is currently in his mid-thirties. Agoura Hills, California. His parents are Gail and Eric “Rick” Berfield. He has one older brother named Lorne Berfield. Lorne was also an actor when he was younger.
When Justin was five years old he acted in a commercial for Folgers coffee. He then proceeded to act in 20 other American commercials around this time. In 1994 he was cast in his first television role. He played Bob Bowman in The Good Life (a sitcom that lasted one season). After landing this role, he was quickly cast in multiple other shows including The Boys Are Back, Hardball, and The Mommies.
In 1995, Justin Berfield was cast as Ross Malloy in Unhappily Ever After. This show aired from 1995 to 1999 and Justin was involved all 4 years. This was his first long-running television role. In 1995 he also auditioned to play a young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace though he did not get the part.
In 1999 he was officially cast as Reese Wilkerson in Malcolm In The Middle. He played Frankie Muniz’s older brother despite being a few months younger than him in real life. Reese was always a very intense character. He got into trouble pretty often and usually deserved to. But there were also lots of times when Reese was a lovable and sympathetic character.
Reese Cooks
“Reese Cooks” was the 18th episode of the second season of Malcolm In The Middle. In this episode, Justin Berfield’s character, Reese, finds out that he has a passion and talent for cooking. This happens because Hal and Louis (his parents) are having trouble finding a punishment for him that actually works. They decide to try positive reinforcement and sign him up for a cooking class.
While he is upset about this decision at first when he realizes that cooking involves knives and fire he becomes excited to try it out. He falls in love with the activity and begins cooking and baking at home as well. Reese even thanks his father for signing him up for the class as well.
True to his nature though, Justin Berfield’s character, Reese, ends up sabotaging the dishes that his classmates cooked to ensure his dish was the best. He does this even though he likely would have had the best dish regardless. To punish him, his parents ban him from the kitchen for a month which leads him to tears. His parents finally found a punishment that would work for him.
Tutoring Reese
“Tutoring Reese” is the 19th episode of season 2 (a great season for Reese). In this episode, Justin Berfield’s character, Reese, is having some trouble in school. He is failing a lot of his classes so Malcolm is told to tutor him. While they had a difficult start, Reese gets the hang of his homework with Malcolm’s help. He wrote an essay that Malcolm was sure would get Reese an average grade, but after he turns it in his teacher gives him an F.
Justin Berfield’s character, Reese, insists that his teacher is out to get him and Malcolm is starting to believe the same. So they devise a plan where Malcolm cheats and takes a test for Reese. When Reese still fails they are sure his teacher is out to get him. Eventually, they expose Reese’s teacher but still get in trouble for cheating.
Malcolm Defends Reese
“Malcolm Defends Reese” is the 9th episode of the 7th and final season of this show. In this episode, Justin Berfield’s character, Reese, is being bullied by Mr. Herkabe. Due to this, Reese becomes incredibly depressed. Malcolm finds out that Mr. Herkabe is bullying Reese to get to Malcolm in order to blackmail him. Mr. Herkabe currently has the title for the school’s highest GPA and Malcolm might take it from him. Herkabe tells Malcolm he’ll stop embarrassing Reese if Malcolm throws his chance at this title.
Eventually, Malcolm proves that Mr. Herkabe failed gym and thus was not eligible for the highest GPA title. In an attempt to regain his title, Mr. Herkabe takes gym. This is where Reese gets his revenge via dodgeball for the embarrassment that Mr. Herkabe caused him.
What Is Justin Berfield Up To Now?
Justin Berfield’s last acting role was in 2010. He played a character named Barry in an episode of Sons of Tucson. In 2017, Justin Berfield married his wife, Liz Berfield. The couple has a daughter together.
Justin Berfield has led a fairly quiet life since his time acting. He was always such a funny and interesting part of Malcolm In The Middle. While his acting career has stopped, Justin Berfield is now the Chief Creative Officer of Virgin Produced.
