Former Malcolm in the Middle child star Frankie Muniz suffers mini-stroke

Muniz's career since 2006 has not matched the success of his hit show

Muniz was taken ill in Arizona last Friday when friends noticed he was “acting really weird” and having trouble speaking and understanding words (AP)

Former Malcolm in the Middle child star Frankie Muniz has suffered a mini-stroke aged 26.

Yesterday he posted to Twitter: “I was in hospital last Friday. I suffered a ‘Mini Stroke’, which was not fun at all. Have to start taking care of my body! Getting old!”

According to celebrity website TMZ, Muniz was taken ill in Arizona last Friday when friends noticed he was “acting really weird” and having trouble speaking and understanding words.

A mini-stroke, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. Symptoms can be similar to a stroke, for example problems with speech and vision, but only last for a few minutes and are usually gone within 24 hours.

Muniz, who turns 27 today, put his acting career on hold six years ago to race cars for a living. He also plays the drums in an American band called Kingsfoil.

The actor’s career since 2006 has not matched the success of Malcolm in the Middle, a sit-com that ran for 150 episodes in which Muniz played title character Malcolm, a genius middle child who finds it hard to fit in.