Justin Tyler Berfield (born February 25, 1986) is an American writer, producer, and actor. He is known for portraying Reese on the family sitcom Malcolm in the Middle and Ross Malloy on The WB sitcom Unhappily Ever After.
As of 2010, Berfield serves as Chief Creative Officer of Virgin Produced, a film and television development, packaging, and production company launched by the Virgin Group in 2010.
Table of Contents
Justin Berfield Net Worth
Justin Berfield has a net worth of $10 million. The former child star, now 33, built a solid fortune from his acting career. His net worth is estimated between $3 million to $5 million, depending on sources.

Most of his earnings came from Malcolm in the Middle, which ran from 2000 to 2006 across seven seasons. The show played a major role in his financial success. This information was last updated on March 26, 2025.
Early life
Berfield was born on February 25, 1986, in Agoura Hills, California, to Gail Berfield (née Stark) and Eric “Rick” Berfield. He is the younger brother of actor Lorne Berfield. Berfield is Jewish.
Career
Berfield‘s first screen appearance was in a Folgers coffee commercial at age five. He appeared in 20 nationally broadcast American commercials as a child. His TV debut came in The Good Life (1994) with Drew Carey. He also appeared in Hardball, The Boys Are Back, and The Mommies (1994–1995).
His first long-running role was as Ross Malloy in Unhappily Ever After (1995–1999). In 1999, Linwood Boomer cast him as Reese in Malcolm in the Middle. In February 2025, he confirmed his return for the reboot.
Personal life
Berfield has two children with his wife Liza Almeida, whom he married in 2017. In 2001, Berfield was appointed National Youth Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities, serving for three years until turning 18.

He has also been active with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and more recently with Virgin Unite, the charitable arm of Virgin Group.
Why “Malcolm in the Middle” Was Canceled
“Malcolm in the Middle” was canceled after its seventh season due to declining viewership. While the show enjoyed high ratings in its early seasons, attracting 13-15 million viewers per episode, these numbers had fallen to around 10 million by season 4, leading Fox to decide against continuing the series.
Conclusion
Justin Berfield’s journey from a child actor known for his role in a hit sitcom to a successful producer and entrepreneur illustrates his versatility and adaptability in the entertainment industry. His story is one of growth, evolution, and the quiet success that comes from pursuing passions behind the scenes.
FAQs about Justin Berfield
- What roles did Justin Berfield play before “Malcolm in the Middle”? Before his breakout role as Reese, Berfield appeared in commercials, “The Good Life,” “Unhappily Ever After,” and guest spots on various TV shows.
- Has Justin Berfield continued acting? Berfield has retired from acting to focus on his work as a producer and his family.
- What is Virgin Produced? Virgin Produced is the film and television production arm of the Virgin Group, co-founded by Justin Berfield.
- How did Justin Berfield contribute to charity? Berfield served as a National Youth Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities and has been active with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Virgin
