Frankie Muniz Recalls Having The ‘Biggest Crush’ On Amanda Bynes, And Shares Thoughts On Her Life Now

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Previously known for his acting role as a child star, Frankie Muniz, who now focuses on NASCAR racing, is eager to return to TV acting. He’s heading up the revival of the miniseries based on Malcolm in the Middle, with most of the original cast joining him. Muniz has been actively promoting this show, and during these promotional activities, he’s been reminiscing about his early years. He recently mentioned his former co-star Amanda Bynes, confessing that his younger self had a significant crush on her.

In his earlier days, Frankie Muniz had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned actresses such as Hilary Duff and Amanda Bynes. Notably, they starred together in the hilarious family film “Big Fat Liar,” a movie that can be streamed with an Amazon Prime Video subscription. In the 2002 production, Muniz and Bynes portrayed friends on screen. However, Muniz confessed to Us Weekly that he harbored romantic feelings for Amanda Bynes, who was famously known for “The Amanda Show.

Growing up in the bustling heart of New York City, my passion as an aspiring actor was ignited by a dream: to be a part of the iconic sketch comedy series, All That. Among the show’s star-studded lineup, there was one particular cast member who caught my eye – Amanda.

The chance to cohost the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2000 seemed like the perfect opportunity to meet her. As fate would have it, I learned that she was slated to be a presenter at the event. My heart pounded with anticipation as my mom received an unexpected call from none other than Gail Berman, then president of Fox.

“You’ve been asked to host Saturday Night Live,” she exclaimed, causing my mother to scream in delight. However, this invitation came with a catch – the SNL hosting gig was scheduled on the same day as the Kids’ Choice Awards. With a heavy heart, I had to turn down the offer, knowing that it meant missing out on meeting Amanda in person.

To my surprise, my dream did come true when I eventually met Amanda and we struck up a friendship. Our conversations transpired over AOL, sharing stories and laughter as only fellow cinephiles could. There was never any secret romance between us. After the premiere of Big Fat Liar, our paths crossed a few more times, but as life often does, we eventually lost touch.

Let me express my utter surprise here. In Big Fat Liar, the duo certainly share an undeniable chemistry, but I must confess, I hadn’t anticipated that Frankie Muniz harbored feelings for Amanda Bynes. The dedication shown by the Malcolm in the Middle star to turn down hosting SNL for a chance to cross paths with the beloved Nickelodeon actress at the Kids’ Choice Awards is truly endearing.

It’s heartening to learn that the actors from BFL who were child stars developed a strong friendship. I would have enjoyed seeing them act together more often. Unfortunately, as Muniz shared, they have drifted apart since their youth. Speaking candidly about Bynes, Muniz expressed his thoughts on her life‘s trajectory:

It caught me completely off guard, and I won’t share more details. She was an incredibly competent, cheerful, laid-back individual whom I have never seen displaying any negativity. I genuinely hope she continues to find joy in life.

Throughout much of her adult career, Bynes has been a frequent subject of news articles, not all of which have had favorable outcomes. Currently, she appears to have taken a break from acting. Her last role as an actress was in the film “Easy A,” and subsequently, she shifted her focus towards studying fashion.

In 2012, Amanda Bynes faced a DUI charge, marking the start of a period where she was involved in various legal issues. She also struggled with mental health concerns. Her parents gained conservatorship over her in 2013, and this arrangement ended after nine years.

The latest news on Amanda Bynes comes by way of her Instagram story from September 5th, which revealed she’s writing a screenplay with a friend about a young woman who decides to become a clown. Whether this creative endeavor indicates that Bynes is truly eyeing an entertainment industry comeback is unclear.

Despite Amanda Bynes’ subsequent challenges being unexpected for Frankie Muniz, it’s heartwarming that he continues to wish her well and cherishes the memories they shared as childhood stars. The unique journey of child stardom serves as a bond between individuals like Bynes and Muniz.

Make sure not to miss Frankie Muniz’s return to television, as the four-episode reboot of “Malcolm in the Middle” is set to debut on Disney+ in December. To catch this exciting event, fans must subscribe to Disney+.

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2025-09-09 07:09