The actress, 70, admits her character Lois never did anything she wouldn’t have done herself
Credit: Saeed Adyani/Fox
NEED TO KNOW
- Jane Kaczmarek never viewed the family on Malcolm in the Middle as dysfunctional, despite their chaotic dynamics
- Kaczmarek said she related to her character, Lois, noting that they both share a no-nonsense parenting style and working-class struggles
- Kaczmarek is reprising her role in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair
Malcolm in the Middle's Jane Kaczmarek didn’t think there was anything abnormal about the sitcom family.
While the family’s hijinks made for great and funny television, the sitcom star, 70, shared with Woman’s World that she “never thought the family was dysfunctional.”
“So much was changing 25 years ago about what you could say to your children. Lois just didn’t have time to coddle them,” she said of the strong-willed matriarch she played on the show, which she is reprising in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair.
“I never thought the family was dysfunctional—they had dinner together every night and the kids didn’t get away with anything," she added. "The humor came from them having to be clever because Lois was eagle-eyed."
Credit: Everett
While Lois has been described as everything from an overbearing control freak to an intensely loving mother, Kaczmarek noted that she relates to "all" of her complex character's qualities.
“I’ve never done anything Lois did that I wouldn’t have done in real life," she said.
“I grew up in a household where parents weren’t afraid to say no, and there was a certain amount of fear for our father," she continued. "Lois is working 38 hours a week for minimum wage and Hal was working. They were on a real working-class budget and had to scrimp and save."
Kaczmarek acted alongside Bryan Cranston, who played her husband, Hal. Both actors — as well as Justin Berfield, Frankie Muniz and Christopher Masterson — are returning for the new four-episode limited run series.
“Hal loves Lois so much. He’s the ballast that keeps her functioning," Kaczmarek shared. "There was one episode where Lois got sick and Hal realized the neighbors never invited them to parties because they didn’t like her. He told them off, saying she’s the most wonderful woman and he wouldn’t be the man he is without her. Women liked seeing that."
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Credit: Stephanie Augello/Disney via Getty
Malcolm in the Middle ran for seven seasons from 2000 to 2006. The show celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair began streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and on Disney+ internationally on April 10. All 151 episodes of Malcolm in the Middle are currently available on the streaming service.
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