Erik Per Sullivan got a hefty offer to return for the Malcolm in the Middle revival, but he ultimately said no. Per Sullivan's onscreen mom, Jane Kaczmarek, was asked about his absence from the upcoming four-part special, telling The Guardian on Saturday, April 4, that the retired actor, 34, is "studying Dickens and is an incredible student." "They offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said, 'No, thank you,'" she added. Kaczmarek, 70, previously defended Per Sullivan's decision to stay out of the spotlight.