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March 29, 2005
Child star enrolls at Hamline: Muniz chooses Midwest values over Hollywood fast-lane of hookers, blow
Actor Frankie Muniz, who is best known for his roles in the hit film Agent Cody Banks and Fox’s Malcolm in the Middle, announced Wednesday that he will be taking a break from Hollywood to attend Hamline University.
According to Muniz’s publicist’ A.J. McAdams, life in the Hollywood fast lane has made a responsible lifestyle difficult to achieve for the young star.
“Frankie is having a difficult time coping with the pressures of adolescent stardom,” said McAdams.
“Hamline’s small, supportive environment is just what he needs to gain some perspective.”
McAdams said Muniz plans to pursue a theatre degree and is considering a minor in psychology.
“[Muniz] is excited to really stretch his horizons as an actor. His roles have all been fairly similar, but he’s ready to try new things. I think theatre will be a perfect fit for Frankie,” McAdams said.
Hamline students have mixed feelings about having a celebrity of Muniz’s stature on campus.
“Personally, I can’t wait to collaborate with a professional artist like myself,” said Mike Pesko, HUSC vice president and author of a science fiction literary classic. “Having outside press around Hamline will help the university and maybe help me sell a few more books.”
Other students, like first-year Katie Yohnk, fear Muniz’s celebrity will distract from learning.
“It’s going to be hard to focus on Shakespeare with Frankie sitting right in front of me. I mean, he knows Hilary Duff!” she said.
Muniz will be living in the Hamline apartments to get what McAdams called “the real college experience.” He will be accompanied by his girlfriend, actress Amanda Bynes. Bynes will spend part of her time in St. Paul with Muniz, and will fly to Los Angeles biweekly to shoot her WB television show What I Like About You.
“Frankie and Mandy are trying to keep their relationship pretty low profile,” said McAdams. “We’d appreciate if the Hamline community would do the same.”
Muniz will arrive in the Twin Cities in late August for orientation, said McAdams. He says he looks forward to starting college and meeting new people.
Posted by msveum at March 29, 2005 12:58 PM
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