Malcolm Actor Buys Simpson-Lachey Home

By Stephen M. Silverman

Originally posted Wednesday January 11, 2006 12:15 AM EST

Photo by: Paul Harris / Celebrity Home Photos

Malcolm in the Middle actor Justin Berfield has put in a successful bid for the former home of divorcing couple Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, according to the publicist for the teen TV star.

The sprawling residence located in Calabasas, Calif., had been listed for $3.75 million by Sotheby's International. Hope Diamond, Berfield's publicist, confirmed the sale to the Associated Press but would not disclose the purchase price.

Berfield, 19, plays Malcolm’s bullying brother, Reese, on the FOX sitcom. He grew up in Agoura, which is near Calabasas, and also owns a home in Dallas, according to the Internet Movie Database.

As PEOPLE first reported, the Simpson-Lachey house went on the market last week. The five-bedroom, 6,500 sq.-ft Mediterranean-style structure made famous by the couple during the filming of their MTV hit Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica includes an infinity pool, a screening room and a music studio.

Photo by: Jean-Paul Aussenard / Wireimage

After the couple announced their split in November after three years of marriage, Lachey, 32, remained in the house while Simpson, 25, moved into her parents' L.A. home. Simpson, who filed for divorce on Dec. 16, has since moved into a new $3 million Beverly Hills home, which she bought last month.

"She's happy to have a house that's hers," a source close to the pop star told PEOPLE last month. "This is the first time she's making her own."

No word on when Berfield intends to move in.