<Tr> <Td> Meagen Fay </Td> <Td> Gretchen Mannkusser </Td> <Td_colspan="3"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> Recurring </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> </Tr> <P> Hal, played by Bryan Cranston (all 151 episodes), is the father of the family . Though relaxed in his parenting when compared to Lois, Hal has shown that he can slide into a disciplinarian when confronted by the boys' bad behavior . He comes from a wealthy family who resent his choice to marry Lois over Susan (an action also shared by Victor and Ida). Hal has a hard time making good decisions, which he often deferred to Lois . Despite the fact many of the neighbors hate his family, Hal blends in well with them . He loves Lois more than she loves him, never even thinking about other women . He is also very scared of her, even more than the boys are, which is why he often bribes their sons to take the fall for his wrongdoings . He is very neurotic and has a slight obsessive - compulsive disorder, and also enjoys unusual hobbies . Hal is also a sex addict, this was revealed in the episode "Forbidden Girlfriend" when Lois is taking medication and is unable to have sex for an entire week, it is mentioned again in the episode "Poker 2" when Hal tells his friends he has sex 14 times per week . It was also revealed that Hal was a chain smoker before quitting the habit . Hal's best friend is Abe Kenarban . </P> <P> Francis, played by Christopher Masterson (119 episodes), is the oldest of the brothers, whom Malcolm often looks up to . It is revealed in the episodes "Sleepover" and "The Bots and the Bees" in season one that Francis was a breech birth, and in "Flashback" in season 2, that Lois was in labor with him during her and Hal's wedding . A rebel from birth, showing signs of Attention - Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder, he was exiled to Marlin Academy by Lois for his behavior before eventually emancipating himself to run away from the Academy to work in Alaska, incurring his mother's wrath . Upon moving to Alaska, he marries a local woman named Piama, who is about one year older than him, and had previously been married briefly, and whom Lois doesn't like . In the series finale, Hal discovers that Francis has taken a job with Amerysis, and Francis admits he likes sitting at a desk sorting computer data . However, he also admits that he has no intentions of telling Lois about the job and enjoys torturing her by telling her that he's still unemployed . </P> <P> Malcolm, portrayed by Frankie Muniz (150 episodes), is the protagonist of the series . He is Five years younger than his oldest brother Francis, one year younger than his older brother Reese, Four years older than his younger brother Dewey, and about 15 years older than his youngest brother Jamie . In the first episode of the series, he is discovered to be a child prodigy and immediately moved from his regular class into the' Krelboynes', a class for gifted students . Despite his high intelligence, he still gets into mischief either alongside or working against his brothers (in particular, Reese), although he becomes more self - absorbed and egotistical in the later seasons as he goes through puberty . Malcolm, like Reese, is not very popular . However, he has had a number of girlfriends during the series run . Even though he is very intelligent, Malcolm has a short temper, can be easily manipulated and also has problems containing his opinion about himself . Malcolm also occasionally serves as the voice of reason, and does have a conscience, (for instance, despite emotionally manipulating a grieving Hal to buy him a car in the episode "Hal Grieves," when the time comes to make the purchase he finds he can't go through with it). In the series finale, it is revealed that Lois intended him to have a hard life, knowing that he is destined to assume the role of President of the United States; she wants him to remember where he came from to get there and try to help families like his own when he assumes the office . Malcolm eventually comes to terms with his future, after being unable to tell Lois he can't do it . In the series finale, Malcolm begins taking classes at Harvard University . Throughout the series, Malcolm frequently breaks the fourth wall and talks to the viewer about either the current situation or giving exposition about past events . </P>

Who played the oldest brother in malcolm in the middle