Bryan Cranston was worried sick when he heard that his former TV son Frankie Muniz had crashed at Daytona. Thankfully, he’s sharing a positive update with fans.
“Frankie had an accident today at the track, but he’s fine,” Cranston told Entertainment Tonight after the Wednesday, November 11 crash. “I’ve spoken to him and he’s just, he’s an impatient patient right now.” Muniz was waiting to be released from the hospital at the time. He was later discharged and said he was “a little sore,” crediting his Mustang with protecting him.
Muniz, 40, was practicing at Daytona International Speedway ahead of Ford’s Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, an exhibition race supporting organizations that serve military members and veterans. He was taken to a local medical facility for evaluation and was awake and alert, according to his team.
“His car looked pretty bad but glad he’s doing okay!” one fan commented on the clip, which was shared to Instagram.
“What a relief that Frankie’s okay and hopefully he can get back to racing soon. I love Bryan for this 🥹,” said another.
A third replied, “thank the world he’s okay would’ve been horrid if bryan cranston lost two of his on screen kids within a month,” referring to the death of RJ Mitte, who played Cranston’s son in Breaking Bad.
READ MORE: Bryan Cranston Provides Major Update on His Future in Acting at 70
A witness told local station WESH that rescue crews cut the car’s roof to get him out. Muniz missed the event, saying he was disappointed not to race in honor of veterans.
Cranston said his concern comes from a bond that began on the set of Malcolm in the Middle, where he played Muniz’s father, Hal, for seven seasons.
“I’m looking at it from a sense of paternal love because playing his father for 7 years,” he said. “And loving the kid as I do.” Then he acknowledged that Muniz is now an adult: “Well, he’s, he’s 40, and I, but he’s my kid and I love him.”
The actor admitted that watching Muniz race can be nerve-racking. “When I watch him race, I’m a little nervous. I’m a little apprehensive, just like any parent,” he said. “It’s like, oh, slow down, take it easy, be careful, you know.”
Their connection has continued beyond the sitcom—Cranston and Muniz recently reunited for the four-episode revival, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, which premiered on Hulu in April.
Related: RJ Mitte Teased a Potential ‘Breaking Bad’ Spin-Off One Week Before Shocking Death