Frankie Muniz shares insane net worth on ‘I’m a Celeb’

The former teen heartthrob revealed he definitely didn’t head to the jungle because he was strapped for cash.

Frankie Muniz revealed to his fellow cast members that he didn’t need to work another day after the success of his acting career as a kid and teen.

The 38-year-old, who starred in over 150 episodes of ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ from age eight, said he’d earned $US40 million by the time he reached 19.

Want more TV news? Sign up to Kidspot’s Talking TV newsletter for all the up-to-date news sent straight to your inbox.

Biting back

The group were lounging by the water chatting about online trolls when Frankie said he “used to” hit back at hurtful comments about him on social media.

“This kid wrote, ‘I’m sorry but your acting is just awful.’ And I was in a movie, and I went, ‘Yeah it is, but you know what’s not awful? Being retired at 19 with $40 million. Good luck moving out of your mum’s house before you’re 35.’

“His Twitter name was ‘I heart Mountain Dew’. Like, OK.”

He later added in the toktokkie (where celebs speak to producers) that he “never usually responds” to the haters..

“But every once in a while, you have to punch back. You can only take so many punches before you get knocked out,” he said.

“Take a swing back, I’m a human, too. If you can dish it, you need to be able to take it.”

Introducing our new podcast: Mum Club! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

For those who don't remember

The show, spanning seven seasons and 151 episodes, was a darkly comedic portrayal of a dysfunctional lower-middle-class family.

Frankie starred as Malcolm, the child prodigy navigating family chaos, with Jane Kaczmarek and Bryan Cranston playing his parents, Lois and Hal.

During its run, the show won seven Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

RELATED: Lucinda says she doesn’t ‘belong’ on an expert couch

The sitcom was hugely successful in the early to mid-2000s. Source: Fox

Life in the fast lane

Fellow celeb Brittany Hockley asked Muniz, who's now a race car driver living in Arizona with his family if he's earned enough to retire.

“Oh, 100 per cent,” Frankie replied. “But I’m neurotically motivated. I’ve just always worked since I was eight years old. I don’t know how to just be in the moment and not be focused on what I’m doing next.”

Since leaving Hollywood in 2008, he's likely earned mainly from residuals of 'Malcolm in the Middle'.

When the show wrapped up, Muniz was making a whopping $US150,000 per episode (and this figure isn’t even adjusted for inflation!). 

Back when he was "Hollywood's most bankable teen," he starred in hits like Agent Cody Banks, Big Fat Liar, and Racing Stripes.

Didn't quite fit

Before entering the South African jungle, Muniz spoke to news.com.au about why he stepped away for his mental health, dealing with "impostor syndrome."

“I never felt like I fully fit in the Hollywood world, even though I was in the world. I was nominated for Emmys and Golden Globes, and I was going to all this stuff, and I was there, and I was like, how am I here?” he said.

“I hated LA, so I kind of stayed in my own little world, my own little bubble. And moving to Arizona, I did it on a whim, and I realised immediately that I started looking up. 

I started enjoying looking at trees and birds in the sky. Going to the grocery store was a fun thing. You don’t get that in LA. It’s a miserable experience.”

So, for any of you thinking the former actor turned racecar driver was pinching pennies and needed a gig, you’re seriously mistaken.

Originally published as Frankie Muniz shares insane net worth on ‘I’m a Celeb’