Biography
Who is Bryan Cranston?
Early life and education
Bryan Cranston Lee Cranston was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on March 7, 1956. He was the second of three children born to Annalisa, a radio actress, and Joseph Cranston, an actor and former semi-professional boxer. His parents had mixed feelings about the profession, so he did not act professionally until later in life. Bryan grew up in Canoga Park, Los Angeles. After his father left the family when Bryan was eleven years old, he lived partly with his maternal grandparents on their poultry farm in Yucaipa, California.
Bryan graduated from Canoga Park High School, where he participated in the chemistry club. He then attended Los Angeles Valley College, earning an associate degree in police science in 1976. During his time at the college, he took an elective acting class that inspired him to change his career path and pursue acting.
Career beginnings and early jobs
After college, Bryan began acting in local and regional theaters, getting his start at the Granada Theater in the San Fernando Valley. To support himself financially, he worked various jobs. He was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church at age nineteen and performed wedding services. He also worked as a waiter, a night-shift security guard, a truck loader, and a camera operator for a video dating service.
Bryan started securing regular work in the late 1980s, appearing in minor roles, advertisements, and soap operas. He played Douglas Donovan on the ABC soap opera Loving from 1983 to 1985. He also did voice acting for English dubbing of Japanese anime and children's series, including working on the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Television breakthrough and stardom
In 2000, Bryan landed a leading role as Hal in the Fox comedy series Malcolm in the Middle, which he played until 2006. He received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his performance and directed several episodes of the show. This role brought him widespread recognition in the television industry.
Bryan achieved international stardom for his dramatic leading role as Walter White in the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008 to 2013. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times for his work on the series. He later starred in the drama series Sneaky Pete and Your Honor.
Film and stage work
On stage, Bryan portrayed President Lyndon B. Johnson in the Broadway play All the Way in 2014, earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He reprised this role in a 2016 HBO film adaptation. He also received a Laurence Olivier Award and a second Tony Award for portraying Howard Beale in the play Network.
In film, Bryan earned Academy Award and BAFTA Award nominations for Best Actor for portraying Dalton Trumbo in the drama Trumbo in 2015. His other well-known film appearances include Saving Private Ryan, Little Miss Sunshine, Drive, Argo, Godzilla, and Asteroid City. He also provided voice work for animated films such as Madagascar 3 and the Kung Fu Panda franchise.
Birthday and age
Bryan Cranston was born on March 7, 1956, which makes Bryan 70 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Bryan shares the date with 34 other famous people.
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