What happened to Dewey from Malcolm in the Middle? Fans finally have an answer. Erik Per Sullivan, the former child star who played the youngest Wilkerson brother, was recently photographed for the first time in 18 years while out and about in Boston. The sighting has reignited interest in the actor, who largely stepped away from the public eye after the hit Fox sitcom ended in 2006. Here’s a look back on Erik Per Sullivan’s career and his quiet exit from fame.

On March 26, Per Sullivan, now 33, was seen leaving his house carrying grocery bags, bundled up against the cold in a brown coat and a newsboy cap. In another photo taken the same day, he carried a coffee cup as he walked through the city, his first public sighting since 2007.

For fans of Malcolm in the Middle, seeing Per Sullivan again is a surprise, as the actor has largely avoided the spotlight since leaving Hollywood nearly two decades ago. His last credited role was in the 2010 film Twelve, where he played a troubled teen named Timmy in the crime thriller starring 50 Cent and Chace Crawford.

Per Sullivan was a fan-favorite on Malcolm in the Middle, where he played Dewey, the lovable, musically gifted and often overlooked youngest brother. His character also loved opera and classical music, leading to memorable scenes where he showcased impressive vocal talent. Dewey’s witty one-liners and expressive acting made him one of the standout characters of the beloved sitcom, which ran for seven seasons from 2000 to 2006.