10 Astonishing Truths About Bryan Cranston

No matter what roles Bryan Cranston takes on in the future, he will likely always be most remembered as Walter White, the ruthless high school chemistry teacher who transformed into a notorious drug kingpin in Albuquerque on Breaking Bad. His Emmy-award-winning portrayal in the series—often celebrated as one of the finest shows ever made—earned high praise from Anthony Hopkins, who sent Cranston an enthusiastic fan letter. (“Magnificent,” Hopkins remarked. “Truly breathtaking … the finest performance I’ve ever witnessed.”)

Fans will soon witness Walter White’s return, possibly for the last time, in the concluding season of Better Call Saul, the Breaking Bad prequel set to conclude this year. In the meantime, here are some intriguing details about the actor who launched this gripping drug saga and, much like his character, once found himself under suspicion for murder.

1. Bryan Cranston mastered the art of crying on demand during his time on soap operas.

Born in 1956 to Joe and Peggy Cranston, who met in an acting class, and raised in Southern California, Bryan Cranston was introduced to acting early in life. His father, a part-time actor and director, worked on TV commercials and even had Cranston wear a full body cast for a nonprofit ad. Initially considering a career in law enforcement, Cranston ultimately chose theater and started landing commercial roles, including a notable one for Preparation H (which you can watch below).

His big break arrived in 1983 when he joined the ABC daytime soap Loving, where he stayed for two years. Cranston told The New Yorker that this experience taught him how to cry on demand. (The secret? Drink plenty of water in the days before the emotional scene.)

2. At the age of 10, he had a chilling encounter with Charles Manson.

As a child, Cranston had an unforgettable encounter with one of history's most infamous serial killers. He once recalled that at age 10, his mother left him and his cousin at Spahn Ranch, a famous filming location for Westerns—and the base for Charles Manson and his followers. Cranston described seeing Manson on horseback during the visit, noting his “dark and black” eyes and a distant, unsettling demeanor.

3. During the 1970s, he was under suspicion for murder.

In 2016, Cranston shared a story with Jimmy Fallon about his life before acting success. In the 1970s, he and his brother embarked on a motorcycle journey, taking odd jobs along the way. One such job was at a Daytona Beach restaurant, where the owner was allegedly harsh, leading employees to joke about killing him. When the owner was later found dead, the Cranston brothers had already left town, drawing police suspicion. (No charges were ever filed against Cranston.)

4. He voiced a lizard character on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

Before landing his breakout role on the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, Cranston frequently appeared as a guest star on TV shows. His most memorable roles vary by audience. Older viewers might remember him as dentist Tim Whatley on Seinfeld, while ‘90s kids may recognize him as the voice of villains like Snizard on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He later returned to the franchise in 2017, portraying Zordon, the team’s mentor, in a big-screen adaptation.

5. He drew inspiration for Breaking Bad's Walter White from his father.

Upon landing the role in Breaking Bad, Cranston delved into crafting Walter White’s physicality. Deciding on a thin mustache and a softer physique, he incorporated some of his father’s traits. “I wanted Walt to resemble my dad, who’s now 89, to give him an older, more worn-out appearance,” Cranston told The New Yorker in 2013. “While studying my dad’s posture and mannerisms—without telling him—I noticed I was adopting his quirks, like the ‘Aw, jeez,’ or an eye roll, especially when Jesse Pinkman did something foolish.”

As the series evolved and White grew more dominant, his demeanor shifted. Standing taller with a stern expression, he transformed from a mild-mannered father into a menacing drug lord.

6. He attended San Diego Comic-Con disguised as Walter White.

While promoting Breaking Bad at San Diego Comic-Con in 2013, Cranston decided to play a clever prank on fans. He wore a hyper-realistic rubber mask of his character, effectively disguising himself as himself. The stunt was a success: Cranston roamed the convention floor, taking pictures with attendees, who remained oblivious until he revealed his identity during the show’s panel.

7. He sports a Breaking Bad tattoo.

After Breaking Bad concluded in 2013, Cranston chose to honor the series and its profound influence on his life by getting a tattoo of the show’s iconic periodic table logo (which reads “Br Ba”). The tattoo was done by members of the show’s art department who were also skilled tattoo artists. Cranston chose the inside of his right ring finger for the tattoo, ensuring it wouldn’t need to be concealed for roles.

8. He is a two-time Tony Award winner.

In recent years, Cranston has showcased his acting prowess on stage, earning critical acclaim. He won a Tony Award in 2014 for his role as Lyndon B. Johnson in All the Way and secured another for his portrayal of the unhinged news anchor Howard Beale in a theatrical adaptation of the 1976 film Network.

9. He directed an episode of The Office.

Cranston’s creativity extends beyond acting. He wrote and directed the 1999 feature film Last Chance, a drama in which he also starred. Additionally, he directed episodes of Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle, and a single episode of The Office. Titled “Work Bus,” the season 9 episode aired in 2012 and features Dunder Mifflin employees working on a mobile bus.

10. He created a points-based system to evaluate potential roles.

Following the triumph of Breaking Bad, Cranston was flooded with acting opportunities. To manage the influx, he developed a scoring system called the Cranston Project Assessment Scale. Each project was evaluated based on the director, script, story, cast, and role, with the story carrying the most weight at 10 points and the cast contributing just two. If a project scored 17 or higher, Cranston would take it on. Argo (2012) scored a 28, while 2014’s Godzilla somehow earned a 20.