Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Kyle Sullivan

Kyle Sullivan (born September 24, 1988) is an American former best known for his recurring role as the socially awkward Dabney Hooper in the Malcolm in the Middle from 2000 to 2006. He gained further prominence as a repertory cast member on Nickelodeon's series All That during its revival seasons from 2002 to 2005, contributing to various sketches and musical performances alongside peers like and . Sullivan also starred as the quirky teenager Larry Gold in the The War at Home from 2006 to 2007, marking one of his lead roles in a family-oriented comedy. His early career included minor film appearances, such as in (1998), but he largely focused on television work that highlighted comedic timing and character-driven humor. Beyond acting, Sullivan has maintained a lower public profile in adulthood, with limited credits post-2007.

Early Life

Family and Upbringing

Kyle Sullivan was born on September 24, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, a location affording close access to major centers of the entertainment industry. Sullivan was raised alongside his younger brother, Sean Sullivan, who was born on July 12, 1991, and who later pursued acting as well. Public details regarding his parents remain scarce, consistent with a family approach prioritizing personal privacy over disclosure. From an early age, Sullivan entered the entertainment field, beginning work at approximately 2.5 years old through minor or uncredited opportunities that provided initial exposure without reliance on formal training. These formative experiences laid groundwork for his subsequent pursuits, shaped by the familial environment in Los Angeles.

Career

Early Roles and Debut (1998–1999)

Sullivan's feature film debut occurred in Soldier (1998), a science fiction action film directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, in which he played the role of Tommy, one of the children in a group of planetary refugees encountered by the protagonist. The production, starring Kurt Russell as the elite soldier Todd 3465, involved principal photography that emphasized practical effects and location shooting, with filming delayed by three months to allow Russell to undergo physical training for the demanding role. This early credit, secured through auditions in the Los Angeles area where Sullivan was born, provided initial exposure in a Warner Bros. project budgeted at approximately $60 million, though the film underperformed commercially upon its October 1998 release. Following the release, Sullivan transitioned to television with guest appearances that demonstrated casting directors' interest in his juvenile roles. In 1998, he appeared in an episode of , a centered on a family's move to a predominantly white neighborhood. The next year, he featured in as David in one episode of the series, which parodied family dynamics through absurd humor. These spots, alongside his portrayal of Young Morrie in the December 1999 TV movie —a biographical starring as the titular professor and as journalist —highlighted Sullivan's utility in period or flashback sequences requiring child performers. Such credits reflect the mechanics of child acting in , where proximity to major studios in enabled repeated audition opportunities amid high competition, with success measured by booked roles rather than subjective evaluations of potential.

Breakthrough on Television (2000–2005)

Sullivan first achieved recognition as a through his recurring role as Dabney Hooper on the Fox sitcom , debuting in the episode "Krelboyne Picnic" on March 12, 2000. He appeared in 24 episodes across the first three seasons (2000–2003), portraying a gifted but emotionally fragile Krelboyne classmate of protagonists Malcolm and Stevie, often serving as a foil for their misadventures with his exaggerated sensitivity and dependence on his overbearing mother. The character's integration into the ensemble highlighted themes of social awkwardness among high-IQ students, contributing to the series' comedic exploration of family and peer dynamics without dominating the narrative. In 2002, Sullivan transitioned to a regular cast member on Nickelodeon's revived series , joining for season 7 and continuing through season 9 until 2005, with appearances in 38 episodes as a versatile performer in various sketches. He collaborated with ensemble members including Chelsea Brummet, , , Bryan Hearne, , and , later overlapping with in seasons 7 and 8, delivering short-form comedy segments that ranged from parodies to original characters emphasizing physical humor and improvisation. This role solidified his presence in children's television by showcasing adaptability across formats, amid the production's fast-paced schedule of live-audience tapings and weekly content demands typical of Nickelodeon's sketch programming. Sullivan also made guest appearances on related Nickelodeon shows, such as The Amanda Show, including in the episode aired February 12, 2000, where he played supporting roles that connected to the network's interconnected talent pipeline for young performers. These early television credits, spanning Fox and Nickelodeon, marked his establishment in ensemble-driven series, with roles emphasizing comedic timing over lead prominence, reflecting the competitive landscape for child actors in early 2000s network and cable programming.

Subsequent Roles and Transition to Adulthood (2006–present)

Sullivan portrayed Larry Gold, the nerdy and insecure youngest son, in the Fox sitcom The War at Home, which aired from September 2005 to April 2007 and featured him in all 44 episodes across its two seasons. In the series, his character grappled with adolescent awkwardness amid family conflicts, marking a shift from child ensemble roles to a more prominent teen lead in a live-action comedy. Post-The War at Home, Sullivan's on-screen appearances dwindled, with no credited major or recurring roles in television or film after 2007. This paucity of credits exemplifies the challenges faced by many , including in youthful personas amid a competitive industry favoring established or emerging talents. By the early , his output had effectively ceased, reflecting a career plateau observed in peers from similar Nickelodeon and Fox eras who struggled to sustain momentum into adulthood. Sullivan's transition from acting aligned with broader patterns of former child stars pivoting to or non-entertainment pursuits, though he has occasionally commented on industry experiences in retrospective documentaries like Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (2024), where he discussed his time on sets without resuming performative roles.

Filmography

Films

Sullivan's appearances are limited, with his debut in the Soldier (1998), directed by , where he played the role of Tommy, a inhabitant of a . His subsequent credit came in the family comedy Max Keeble's Big Move (2001), directed by Tim Hill, portraying a tech-savvy referred to as the Techie . These roles represent his primary contributions to theatrical releases, primarily during his early career as a .

Television

Sullivan appeared as Dabney Hooper, a shy and intellectual friend of Malcolm's, in a recurring capacity on the sitcom from 2000 to 2003, featuring in 24 episodes across the series' early seasons. He served as a regular performer on the series during seasons 7 through 10, from 2002 to 2005, portraying various characters including Buzz in sketches such as "". In animated series, Sullivan provided the voice of Danny O'Farrell in the /Disney series Fillmore!, appearing in all 26 episodes from 2002 to 2004. He also voiced Socks Morton in 21 episodes of Cartoon Network's Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones? during its 2002–2003 run. Sullivan's lead television role came as Larry Gold, the awkward teenage son in the family, on the The War at Home, where he starred in all 44 episodes from September 11, 2006, to April 27, 2007. Earlier guest appearances include roles on The Secret World of Alex Mack (Nickelodeon, 1996), (NBC, episode "The Nap," aired April 24, 1997), (Nickelodeon, 1999–2000), (NBC, 1998), (CBS, 1999), (NBC, 1999), ER (NBC, season 6 episode "May Day," aired May 11, 2000), and Scrubs (NBC, season 3 episode "His Story II," aired March 17, 2004, as Brian).

Personal Life and Public Reflections

Privacy and Family Details

Sullivan has consistently prioritized privacy in his non-professional life, diverging from the norm of celebrity oversharing by limiting disclosures to essential biographical facts. Born on September 24, 1988, in , , he grew up in the area with scant public elaboration on his upbringing beyond these origins. He has one confirmed , a named Sean Sullivan, born on July 12, 1991, in , who has pursued acting roles in projects such as (1998). No additional family members, such as parents or extended relatives, appear in verifiable public records or statements from Sullivan himself. Details on , children, or romantic partnerships remain absent from credible sources, with no records indicating or offspring as of recent reports. This reticence aligns with a broader pattern of maintaining a low profile post-child stardom, eschewing personal anecdotes in favor of professional focus.

Interviews and Industry Insights

In the 2024 documentary series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, Kyle Sullivan shared personal observations from his time on All That (seasons 7–10, 2002–2005), emphasizing differences in experiences across Nickelodeon productions based on his direct involvement. He described the set dynamics as dysfunctional, with cast and crew routinely working overtime hours that exceeded child labor limits under California law, a practice he linked to production pressures rather than intentional malice. This highlighted pragmatic challenges of child acting, including disrupted sleep and schooling amid 12–14-hour days, without broader claims of systemic trauma on his specific show. Sullivan recounted a pivotal off-set encounter with dialogue coach Brian Peck, convicted in 2004 of lewd acts with a minor (Drake Bell) involving over 30 counts of abuse documented in court records. At age 14, during a cast barbecue at Peck's home, Sullivan discovered a shrine to , featuring autographed photos, a of Gacy, and prison correspondence—items Peck claimed were from a pen-pal relationship. Initially, "everyone trusted Brian," Sullivan stated, reflecting widespread cast confidence in Peck's role despite later revelations, but the findings prompted immediate unease based on his observation. He did not report personal victimization but used the anecdote to illustrate undetected red flags in proximity to verified predation, contrasting with abuses on other programs like . Sullivan also addressed content challenges, noting sketches often repurposed adult-oriented humor—like simulated or role-playing—that felt mismatched for child performers, leading to personal discomfort and exposure without adequate boundaries. These reflections prioritized empirical details from his vantage over generalized narratives, underscoring era-specific variances in oversight between early shows and later series. Pre-2024 public statements on remain limited, with no major interviews detailing scheduling rigors beyond incidental mentions in fan Q&As.

References

  1. [1]
    Kyle Sullivan - IMDb
    Kyle Sullivan was born on 24 September 1988 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Malcolm in the Middle (2000), Soldier (1998) and All ...Missing: birthplace | Show results with:birthplace
  2. [2]
    Kyle Sullivan - Age, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays
    Former child actor remembered as Larry Gold on The War at Home. He played the recurring character Dabney in Malcolm in the Middle.
  3. [3]
    Kyle Sullivan - Nickelodeon Wiki - Fandom
    Kyle Russell Sullivan (born September 24, 1988) is an American actor, known for appearing on All That for the entire reboot period from 2002-2005.
  4. [4]
    Kyle Sullivan — The Movie Database (TMDB)
    ER 1 episode as Nicholas Rosato. 2000, Geppetto as Featured. 2000, Malcolm in the Middle 24 episodes as Dabney Hooper. 1999, Tuesdays with Morrie as Young ...Missing: actor | Show results with:actor
  5. [5]
    Sean Sullivan - IMDb
    Born. July 12, 1991 · California, USA. Relatives. Kyle Sullivan(Sibling). Did you know. Edit · Trivia. Sean has a brother, Kyle Sullivan, who is also an actor.
  6. [6]
    Kyle Sullivan Birthday - National Today
    Aug 30, 2022 · He's a Libra, born on September 24, 1988, in Los Angeles, California. Sullivan grew up with his brother, Sean. Sullivan made his acting debut in ...Missing: birthplace | Show results with:birthplace
  7. [7]
    Kyle Sullivan - Biography - IMDb
    Kyle Sullivan was born on September 24, 1988 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Malcolm in the Middle (2000), Soldier (1998) and All ...Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
  8. [8]
    Full cast & crew - Soldier (1998) - IMDb
    Conni Marie Brazelton · Eva · Kyle Sullivan · Kyle Sullivan · Tommy · Corbin Bleu · Corbin Bleu · Johnny · Danny Turner · Danny Turner · Omar.
  9. [9]
    Soldier (1998) | Headhunter's Holosuite Wiki - Fandom
    Kyle Sullivan, Tommy. Corbin Bleu, Johnny. Danny Turner, Omar. Patrick Tyler, Bucky. Sara Paxton, Angie. Elizabeth Huett, Janice. Janelle Ginestra, Sarah.Missing: debut | Show results with:debut
  10. [10]
    Tuesdays with Morrie (TV Movie 1999) - IMDb
    Rating 7.4/10 (5,107) A journalist finds himself questioning his own life when his best friend, a dying man, offers him some very powerful wisdom and advice.
  11. [11]
    Dabney Hooper - Malcolm in the Middle - TVmaze.com
    Appearances. Malcolm in the Middle. Guest cast, played by Kyle Sullivan. Episode 1x08: Krelboyne Picnic (Mar 12, 2000); Episode 1x12: Cheerleader (Apr 16, 2000) ...
  12. [12]
    All That (TV Series 1994–2020) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Kyle Sullivan · Kyle Sullivan · Regular Performer. /Various. /... 38 episodes • 2000–2005. Leon Frierson · Leon Frierson · Various. 34 episodes • 1997–2000.
  13. [13]
    Kyle Sullivan Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
    Kyle Sullivan, born September 24, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, is an actor best known for his roles in popular television series and films during the ...
  14. [14]
    https://www.nickelodeon.fandom.com/wiki/Kyle_Sullivan
  15. [15]
    The Amanda Show (TV Series 1999–2002) - Episode list - IMDb
    ... Sullivan in The Amanda Show. Top-rated. S1.E12 ∙ Episode #1.12. Sat, Feb 12, 2000. Vitamin C is the guest star and Amanda has a cold. 7.2/10 (22) Rate.
  16. [16]
    The War at Home - Full Cast & Crew - TV Guide
    Kyle Sullivan as Larry Gold. Kyle Sullivan. Larry Gold · Dean Collins as Mike Gold. Dean Collins. Mike Gold · Rami Malek as Kenny. Rami Malek. Kenny · Tom ...
  17. [17]
    Kyle Sullivan aka Dabney shows up on Quiet on the Set - Reddit
    Mar 22, 2024 · Kyle was part of the 1st All That revival, after Kenan & Kel and Amanda's era. Or as I like to call it the Golden Age of All That.Missing: life | Show results with:life<|control11|><|separator|>
  18. [18]
    Max Keeble's Big Move (2001) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Kyle Sullivan · Techie Kid · Jordan Mahome · Jordan Mahome · Marley ... assistant film editor (as Mark E. Harris). David Matusek · David Matusek.
  19. [19]
    Dabney Hooper | Malcolm in the Middle Wiki - Fandom
    Dabney Hooper, played by Kyle Sullivan, is one of Malcolm and Stevie's more emotionally stricken and flamboyant Krelboyne classmates and best friend for the ...
  20. [20]
    Kyle Sullivan | This is All That Wiki | Fandom
    At the time he was a cast member of All That, he was also a regular on the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, where he played Malcolm's geeky friend Dabney Hooper.
  21. [21]
    Larry Gold | The War at Home Wiki - Fandom
    Larry is one of the main characters in the series. He is portrayed by actor Kyle Sullivan. Advertisement. More Information. Comments. Categories. Main ...
  22. [22]
    Kyle Sullivan - TV Guide
    See Kyle Sullivan full list of movies and tv shows from their career. Find where to watch Kyle Sullivan's latest movies and tv shows.<|separator|>
  23. [23]
    Kyle Sullivan Movies and Shows - Apple TV
    Guest Appearances · Malcolm in the Middle · S4, E14. Hal's Friend · Scrubs · S3, E18. His Story II · ER · S6, E22. May Day · Seinfeld · S8, E18. The Nap · Mad About ...Missing: 1998 1999
  24. [24]
    Kyle Sullivan dating history
    Kyle Sullivan is a 36 year old American Actor. Born Kyle Russell Sullivan on 24th September, 1988 in Los Angeles, CA, he is famous for All That in a career ...
  25. [25]
    Kyle Sullivan Biography: Films, Girlfriend, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net ...
    Oct 3, 2025 · Personal Life. Former American child actor Kyle Sullivan is currently not married, and there is no publicly available information about any of ...
  26. [26]
    Exposing Behind-the-Scenes Maltreatment of Child Actors
    All That actors Giovonnie Samuels, Kyle Sullivan, and Bryan Hearne mention the overtime hours they worked—which violated labor laws—while filming the show.
  27. [27]
    Nickelodeon stars from 'Quiet on Set': Where are they now? - Yahoo
    Mar 26, 2024 · Sullivan described the set of “All That” as “dysfunctional” and said the cast and crew often worked overtime.Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
  28. [28]
    'Quiet on Set': Ex-Nickelodeon child actors share stories of abuse
    Mar 21, 2024 · Giovonnie Samuels, Kyle Sullivan, Bryan Hearne and Katrina Johnson of "All That" - All prominent members of the "All That" cast, Samuels ...
  29. [29]
    'Quiet on Set': Bombshells from TV Series on Nickelodeon Shows
    Mar 18, 2024 · Former All That cast member Kyle Sullivan, then 14, talks about seeing the painting inside of Peck's home, which included a shrine to Planet of ...
  30. [30]
    Drake Bell Details Sexual Assault by Brian Peck in New Documentary
    Mar 13, 2024 · “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV ... Everyone trusted Brian,” said Kyle Sullivan, who appeared on “The Amanda Show and “All That.<|separator|>
  31. [31]
    Shocking Stories About Nickelodeon's Dark Side in Quiet on Set
    Mar 17, 2024 · Brian Peck's Creepy Pen Pal. In Quiet on Set, All That alum Kyle Sullivan recalled everyone from the show going to Peck's house for a barbecue.
  32. [32]
    Everything We Learned From Episode 5 of Quiet on Set
    Apr 7, 2024 · It features interviews with former Nickelodeon employees, including Giovonnie Samuels, Kyle Sullivan, and Bryan Hearne, all of whom worked on ...
  33. [33]
    Predators and paedophiles: Nickelodeon scandal ruined 90s kids ...
    Mar 23, 2024 · Reflecting on his experience on All That, Kyle Sullivan noted, "The show was filled with uncomfortable sketches." "I felt very exposed ...
  34. [34]
    'Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV': 6 key takeaways ... - Yahoo
    Mar 13, 2024 · According to cast member Kyle Sullivan, “There was this weird dynamic where they were taking something that exists in an adult context, like ' ...