TV SERIES · 2009– · USA
The Middle
30 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (30)
- #001
Across the street from the Hecks' house (the Donahue house), a house is consistently shown on the left. It is the set house used in Bewitched (1964). To the right of the Hecks' house is the house used for The Partridge Family (1970). Two doors to the left of the Hecks is the house used in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (you can see the famous small round window on the side).
- #002
In the series finale, it is revealed that Sue marries Sean Donahue and Axl marries Lexie. Beau Wirick (Sean) and Daniela Bobadilla (Lexie) met on set and married a few years after the series ended.
- #003
The fountain seen in several episodes is the fountain from the Friends opening sequence.
- #004
The Indiana town of Orson is fictional but is based on the real-life Indiana town of Jasper.
- #005
In the original pilot episode, Ricki Lake played the role of Frankie Heck. After that production, most of the cast was replaced, and the only remaining actor was Atticus Shaffer (Brick).
- #006
According to co-creator and producer Eileen Heisler, Brick's personality quirks were inspired by her own son's quirks.
- #007
Charlie McDermott (Axl) auditioned for the 2007 pilot in which the character was named Elvis.
- #008
When the series began, Axl was a high school freshman played by a 19-year-old. Sue, a seventh grader, is played by a 17-year-old actress. Brick is supposed to be in second grade, but the actor playing him is 11 years old.
- #009
Brian Doyle-Murray, Doris Roberts and Miriam Flynn are Warner Bros. Ranch alumni. All three filmed there for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The Griswold house (used as the Glossner house) is just down the street from the Heck house, which was then a two-story house. Their houses can be seen in the background in various shots, but especially during the scene where the Griswolds stand in the driveway for the house-lighting scene.
- #010
Brick, played by Atticus Shaffer, is said to have Asperger syndrome or some form of autism. He also has a photographic memory. The actor has osteogenesis imperfecta type 4, which causes him to break bones easily. He also has palilalia, repeating a word or sentence in a whisper after saying it. He also sometimes says "whoop."
- #011
Axl's middle name is Redford.
- #012
David S. Rosenthal's name appears on the posters in the boys' bedroom. He also appears to be the author of Brick's imaginary favorite books about Planet Nowhere. David S. Rosenthal is also a co-producer of many episodes.
- #013
Doris Roberts, who played Brick's teacher Mrs. Rinsky in the second season, had previously appeared with Patricia Heaton on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996).
- #014
Marsha Mason, who plays Frankie's (Patricia Heaton) mother, played Paula McFadden in The Goodbye Girl (1977). In the updated version of The Goodbye Girl (2004), Heaton played the same character.
- #015
Patricia Heaton had previously appeared on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996). Her husband on that series, Ray Romano, appeared as a guest star in a flashback episode of this series.
- #016
In the first-season finale, Neil Flynn's character mentions the brain trust formed by the Janitor character from Scrubs.
- #017
Greer Grammer, who plays Axl's girlfriend April, is Kelsey Grammer's daughter. Patricia Heaton had previously appeared with Kelsey Grammer on Back to You (2007) and in the Frasier revival (2024).
- #018
The double use of Sue's name stems from it being mistakenly written in the middle-name field when her birth certificate was filled out.
- #019
The Heck address is 427 Birchwood Ave. Orson, Indiana 46213.
- #020
Sue was born on a leap day.
- #021
An excessive amount of sugar causes Brick to move and appear 'normal'.
- #022
Although they appeared in many important episodes throughout the series, Marsha Mason, Jack McBrayer, Jerry VanDyke, Norm McDonald, Brooke Shields and others are credited as "special guest star" in every episode they appear in.
- #023
Neil Flynn plays Mike Heck, the older brother of Rusty Heck, who is played by Norm MacDonald. In real life, Norm MacDonald is almost a year older than Neil Flynn.
- #024
Axl's first girlfriend, Morgan, had broken up with him five times.
- #025
Eden Sher was 18 years old when she played 13-year-old Sue Heck in season 1.
- #026
Frankie Heck's birthday is 11/14/1966. Patricia Heaton's birthday is March 4, 1958, a difference of more than 8 1/2 years.
- #027
The Middle, Season 4, Episode 2 is titled "Second Act" because Frankie is fired from Ehlert Motors and decides her life needs "a second act." Patricia Heaton's next comedy series was titled "Carol's Second Act."
- #028
The use of the surname "Heck" in The Middle is likely a fun and symbolic choice. Although "heck" is in fact a euphemism for "hell," this does not mean they are a family from Hell. Instead, it fits the show's theme of the everyday difficulties and humorous struggles faced by a middle-class American family living in the fictional town of Orson, Indiana. The name "Heck" humorously highlights the chaotic but loving environment the family is in, emphasizing their relatability and the ups and downs of daily life. The series balances humor and heart, making the Heck family endearing rather than devilish.
- #029
Thirty-two is Axl's number on his football and baseball teams.
- #030
Axl is Mike's favorite child. Mike does not love Sue or Brick any less, he simply has more in common with Axl, so he chose him as his favorite.
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