If you spent any time watching ABC’s The Middle between 2009 and 2018, you probably felt a strange, protective kinship with Brick Heck. He was the kid who whispered to himself, obsessed over fonts, and carried a lawn chair to graduation. But there’s always been this weird disconnect between how Brick looked and how old he actually was. People still argue about it on Reddit. It’s one of those Hollywood things that feels like a glitch in the matrix if you don't know the backstory.
Let’s be real. Atticus Shaffer spent nearly a decade playing a character that many viewers assumed was years younger than the actor himself.
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The truth is, when the pilot aired in September 2009, Atticus Shaffer was 11 years old. His character, Brick, was written as a quirky 2nd grader who was roughly 7 or 8. That three-year gap might not seem like a lot for an adult, but in kid-actor years? It’s massive. Because of his condition, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Type IV), Atticus had a much smaller stature than his peers. This led to a situation where he was essentially a pre-teen playing a little kid, and later, a literal adult playing a high schooler.
The Timeline of Atticus Shaffer Age in The Middle
You can actually track the progression of the show by how much Atticus’s voice changed versus his height. In the early seasons, he was this tiny, adorable presence that fit the "youngest child" trope perfectly. But by the time the show wrapped its ninth and final season in May 2018, the math got interesting.
By the series finale, Atticus Shaffer was almost 20 years old.
Think about that for a second. While Brick Heck was graduating high school and figuring out his future, the man playing him was legally an adult who had spent half his life on a soundstage. Most people watching at home still saw him as "the kid," even though he was technically older than many college sophomores at the time.
Here is the rough breakdown of how the ages lined up:
- Season 1 (2009): Atticus was 11. Brick was around 8.
- Season 5 (2013): Atticus was 15. Brick was entering middle school at 12.
- Season 9 (2018): Atticus was 19 (turning 20). Brick was 17-18.
It’s honestly impressive how the writers leaned into this. Instead of trying to hide his growth or his condition, they made Brick’s "different-ness" his superpower. It wasn't a show about a kid with a disability; it was a show about a kid who happened to have a disability but was mostly just busy being a weirdo who loved library books.
Why the Age Gap Worked
Usually, when Hollywood casts an older actor to play a younger kid, it’s because of labor laws. Toddlers are a nightmare to film because they can only work a couple of hours a day. If you cast a 10-year-old who looks 6, you get more filming time. But with Atticus, it was different.
His maturity was his biggest asset. Neil Flynn (who played Mike Heck) has mentioned in various interviews that Atticus was often the most professional person on set. He had the vocabulary of a professor and the work ethic of a veteran. That "old soul" energy he brought to Brick wasn't just acting—it was a 12-year-old with the perspective of someone much older.
Honestly, if they had cast an actual 7-year-old in 2009, the character probably wouldn't have worked. Brick needed that specific blend of being physically small but intellectually intimidating.
Living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
We should probably talk about the "why" behind the physical stats. Atticus has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, specifically Type IV. It’s a genetic bone disorder—often called brittle bone disease—that affects collagen production. It’s why he’s shorter and why his bone structure is different.
On set, this meant the crew had to be careful. You’ll notice in episodes involving physical comedy or sports, Brick is usually on the sidelines or the "action" happens off-camera. Fans have pointed out that in scenes where the family hugs, the actors are often very gentle with Atticus or he stays slightly to the side. It was a subtle, respectful way of keeping him safe without making it a "thing" in the script.
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What is Atticus Shaffer Doing Now?
Since The Middle turned off the lights in Orson, Indiana, Atticus hasn't disappeared. He’s actually 27 years old now (heading toward 28 in June 2026). If you saw him on the street today, you'd recognize the face, but the "child star" image is long gone.
He’s carved out a massive niche in voice acting. If you have kids or watch animation, you’ve definitely heard him. He was Ono in The Lion Guard, and he’s done voices for Steven Universe, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, and Harvey Girls Forever!.
He also spends a lot of time on his YouTube and Twitch channels, under the handle AtticusShafferVlog. It’s pretty fascinating to see him just being a regular guy. He does food reviews (the "Atticus Eats" series is weirdly addictive), talks about his faith, and plays video games. He’s very open about his life and doesn't seem to have that "bitter former child star" vibe you see so often.
The Takeaway for Fans
The fascination with Atticus Shaffer’s age usually comes from a place of surprise. We grew up with him. We saw him go from a tiny kid in a striped shirt to a grown man.
If you're looking for a "where are they now" update, here is the current reality:
- Current Age: 27.
- Focus: Voice acting, streaming, and content creation.
- Legacy: He remains one of the most successful actors with OI in history, proving that "marketability" in Hollywood is changing.
If you want to support what he’s doing now, honestly, go check out his Twitch. It’s a great way to see the actual person behind the character. He often shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Warner Bros. ranch that you won't find in any official press kits. Seeing a former child star navigate his late 20s with that much groundedness is actually kind of refreshing.
Next time you catch a rerun of The Middle on Peacock or Freeform, keep the math in mind. When you see that "little kid" in Season 1, remember he was already heading into middle school in real life. It makes his performance even more impressive.
For those interested in his specific career moves or his advocacy for the OI community, following his vlog is the best way to get the facts straight from the source. He’s a guy who knows exactly who he is, regardless of how old people think he’s supposed to be.