For many fans of Lost, one of the most memorable characters was Walt Lloyd, the mysterious and somewhat supernatural boy with the power to communicate with animals. Played by Malcolm David Kelley, Walt’s face was synonymous with the early seasons of the show, even though his screen time dwindled as the series progressed. But what happened to Malcolm David Kelley after he left the island? Let’s take a closer look at his journey both on and off-screen.
Walt: A Character Left Unfinished
Malcolm David Kelley joined Lost as Walt, the young son of Michael (played by Harold Perrineau), one of the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. From the start, Walt’s character was shrouded in mystery. He had a close bond with the family dog, Vincent, and was often at the center of theories regarding his supposed supernatural abilities. Fans speculated that Walt might play a pivotal role in the island’s larger mysteries, perhaps even possessing powers to communicate telepathically with animals. This idea was hinted at in the first season, particularly during Episode 14.
Unfortunately, Walt’s storyline never fully developed. Due to Malcolm David Kelley’s rapid growth—the actor was growing up fast during filming—the character of Walt became difficult to maintain. Since the show’s events were meant to unfold over just a few months, Walt’s transformation from a young boy into a teenager created logistical and continuity issues. This led to the decision to significantly reduce Walt’s appearances after season 2.
He was abducted by “The Others” early in season 2, and although he appeared briefly in a few episodes in seasons 3, 4, and 5, he was largely absent from the final season. Fans were left with many unanswered questions about Walt, a character who had been built up with so much potential, only to fade away without fulfilling his destined role.
What Happened to Malcolm David Kelley After Lost?
Before landing the role of Walt, Malcolm David Kelley had already been making a name for himself in Hollywood. In 2002, he portrayed the young version of Antwone Fisher in the film Antwone Fisher, where he shared the screen with Denzel Washington, both as an actor and director. Kelley also starred in Street Dancers that same year, and in 2005, he appeared alongside Ted Danson in the drama The Bronx is Burning.
After Lost ended in 2009, Kelley didn’t disappear from the spotlight. In 2010, he was cast as the best friend of Tony Oller‘s character in the Nickelodeon series Gigantic. Unfortunately, the show lasted only one season, but Kelley remained close friends with Oller, a connection that would later lead to a musical collaboration.
In 2013, Kelley ventured into music, joining Oller to form the hip-hop and pop duo MKTO. Their debut album, released in 2014, brought them into the mainstream spotlight with hits like “Classic”, and they’ve continued to release music to this day, proving that Kelley’s talents extend far beyond acting.
His acting career continued to evolve as well. In 2017, Kelley had a guest appearance in Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit, a historical drama about the 1967 Detroit riots. The following year, he starred in Glass Jaw (2018), a boxing drama, and in 2021, he took on the lead role in the action film Dutch. Additionally, he appeared in the popular HBO series Insecure, playing the brother of Molly Carter (played by Yvonne Orji).
More recently, in 2024, Kelley appeared in an episode of The Rookie: Feds, adding another notch to his acting resume. At the time of writing, it appears that he doesn’t have any confirmed roles for the coming year, but given his consistent career in both acting and music, it’s clear that Malcolm David Kelley is still making waves.
Where Is He Now?
Now 31 years old, Kelley has certainly come a long way since his early days on Lost. He remains a well-loved figure among fans, and despite the character of Walt being underutilized, his time on the show left a lasting impression. Whether it’s through his acting, his music career, or his guest roles in popular series, Malcolm David Kelley has managed to carve out a successful path for himself post-Lost.
Although his role as Walt remains one of his most iconic, it’s clear that Malcolm David Kelley has evolved into a versatile artist who continues to thrive in both the entertainment industry and the music world. The legacy of his time on Lost will always be remembered, but as an artist, Kelley has proven there’s so much more to him than just the boy on the island.
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A passionate journalist, Iris Lennox covers social and cultural news across the U.S.