Justin Berfield

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Justin Berfield

Berfield holding a producer credit for The 1 Second Film in April 2005
Born Justin Tyler Berfield
February 25, 1986 (1986-02-25) (age 22)
Los Angeles County, CA, United States
Years active 1994 — present
Official website

Justin Tyler Berfield (born February 25, 1986) is an American actor, writer and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of the second-oldest brother Reese in the Fox Network television sitcom Malcolm in the Middle.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Acting career

Berfield began acting at the age of five when he appeared in a Folgers coffee commercial. Since then, he has appeared in 20 other American television commercials, giving rise to his childhood nick-name, The Commercial Kid. His television debut came in 1994 when he landed a role in the short-lived NBC sitcom The Good Life. In 1995, he began to play the role of Ross Malloy, the youngest sibling in The WB sitcom Unhappily Ever After, continuing in the role for five seasons. In 1998, he starred in his first movie, Mom, Can I Keep Her?. Berfield had once starred in the short-lived television series The Nightmare Room by R.L. Stine. He also played a quick talking reporter in Max Keeble's Big Move. Berfield auditioned for the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, but the job went to Jake Lloyd.[1]

Although Berfield has starred or co-starred in many films over the years, he is best known for his portrayal of the wise-cracking character Reese, the second-oldest brother in the Fox Network television sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. He won a YoungStar Award in 2000 and 2003 for his work on the series. He appeared in over 100 episodes of Malcolm in the Middle and 100 episodes of Unhappily Ever After, making him the youngest person in television history to be in over 100 episodes of two different television series.[2]

[edit] Producing career

Berfield, with writer/producer Jason Felts, created a television and film production company, J2 Pictures (television production company called J2TV), and became a co-producer of the Coen Brothers/John Turturro directed musical film Romance & Cigarettes (2005).

J2TV announced in December 2004 a new reality series for E! (Entertainment Television), Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive (premiered Sunday, August 7, 2005, at 9:00pm EST/PST), a challenge-based reality series centered on the children of actors and musicians removed from their luxurious lifestyles and sent out on a cattle drive on a historic Colorado cattle ranch. The series was created by J2TV partners Berfield and Felts. Berfield and Felts shared "created by" and executive producing duties.

It was reported in 2006 by the Daily Variety that the company and Berfield are producing a feature film based on the life of Grateful Dead frontman and 60's icon, Jerry Garcia. The project is in partnership with Garcia's partner of 25 years, Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia and was initiated after Berfield read a García biography titled Captain Trips.

In 2006, Berfield stated that he would continue acting after Malcolm in the Middle but that he was also going to spend time on his other business endeavors, including his film and television production company, his real estate, and his literary efforts. It has been announced that Escobar will be produced by J2 Pictures.[3] The film is currently on pre-production and is slated for a 2009 release date.

[edit] Personal life

Berfield was born in Los Angeles County, California, the son of Gail and Rick Berfield. He is the younger brother of actor Lorne Berfield. Berfield is Jewish.[4]

[edit] Charity work

In 2001, Berfield was asked to serve as a National Youth Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities, in which he participated for 3 years until turning 18. He has been active with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and most recently Virgin Unite, the charitable arm of Virgin Group.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Video documentary on the Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace DVD.
  2. ^ Guinness Book of World Records 2004
  3. ^ Funds pump up Puerto Rican films - Entertainment News, Weekly International, Media - Variety
  4. ^ From Middle to the Top
  5. ^ Justin Berfield - I Support

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Berfield, Justin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Berfield, Justin Tyler
SHORT DESCRIPTION Actor, producer
DATE OF BIRTH 1986-2-25
PLACE OF BIRTH Los Angeles County, CA, United States
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH