TV SERIES · 2009– · USA
The Middle
30 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
21 Interesting Facts About The Middle
- #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.
- #006
According to co-creator and producer Eileen Heisler, Brick's personality quirks were inspired by her own son's quirks.
- #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.
- #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.
- #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).
- #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.
- #024
Axl's first girlfriend, Morgan, had broken up with him five times.
- #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.
- #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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