Bryan Lee Cranston is a highly acclaimed American actor best known for his roles as Walter White in the AMC drama series "Breaking Bad" and Hal in the Fox sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle." His powerful portrayal of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer, earned him widespread recognition and numerous awards, including six Primetime Emmy Awards. He also achieved success on stage, winning two Tony Awards. Cranston's versatility and talent have solidified his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, with accolades including two Golden Globes and nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award.
March 7, 1956: Bryan Cranston's Birth
Bryan Lee Cranston was born in Hollywood, Los Angeles on March 7, 1956.
1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Contextual)
The play "All the Way" depicts President Johnson's efforts to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
1968: Encounter with Charles Manson
At age 12, in 1968, Cranston briefly encountered Charles Manson at Spahn Ranch.
1976: Graduation from Los Angeles Valley College
Cranston graduated from Los Angeles Valley College with an associate degree in police science in 1976.
1976: Original Network Film (Contextual)
The play "Network" that Cranston starred in was an adaptation of the 1976 film of the same name.
1977: Cranston's First Marriage
In 1977, Bryan Cranston married writer Mickey Middleton.
1982: End of Cranston's First Marriage
Bryan Cranston's marriage to Mickey Middleton ended in 1982.
1983: Loving Role Begins
Cranston began playing Douglas Donovan on the soap opera Loving in 1983.
1984: Cranston Meets Robin Dearden
Bryan Cranston met his future wife, Robin Dearden, on the set of "Airwolf" in 1984.
1985: Loving Role Ends
In 1985 Cranston's role as Douglas Donovan on Loving ended.
1988: The Big Turnaround
Cranston starred in The Big Turnaround, a film directed by his father, in 1988.
1988: Raising Miranda
Cranston starred in the short-lived series Raising Miranda in 1988.
July 8, 1989: Cranston's Marriage to Robin Dearden
On July 8, 1989, Bryan Cranston married Robin Dearden, whom he met on the set of "Airwolf" in 1984.
1989: Baywatch Appearance
Cranston played Tom Logan in an episode of Baywatch in 1989.
February 12, 1993: Birth of Taylor Dearden
Bryan Cranston's daughter, Taylor Dearden, was born on February 12, 1993.
1993: Power Rangers Voice Work
Cranston started doing voice work for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in 1993.
1994: Seinfeld Role Begins
Cranston began his recurring role as Dr. Tim Whatley on Seinfeld in 1994.
1996: That Thing You Do! Release
Cranston played Gus Grissom in the film That Thing You Do! in 1996.
1997: Seinfeld Role Ends, Strategic Command, and Babylon 5
In 1997, Cranston's role on Seinfeld ended. He also appeared in the film Strategic Command and had a small role in Babylon 5.
1998: The X-Files and From the Earth to the Moon
Cranston appeared in an episode of The X-Files and portrayed Buzz Aldrin in the miniseries From the Earth to the Moon in 1998. He also appeared in Saving Private Ryan.
1998: Saving Private Ryan Release
Cranston appeared in the film Saving Private Ryan in 1998.
1999: Last Chance and The King of Queens
Cranston wrote and directed the film Last Chance and began a recurring role on The King of Queens in 1999.
2000: Malcolm in the Middle Premiere
Bryan Cranston began playing Hal in the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle in 2000.
2000: Malcolm in the Middle Begins
Cranston began his leading role as Hal in Malcolm in the Middle in 2000.
2001: 'Twas the Night and Gary & Mike
In 2001, Cranston appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movie "'Twas the Night" and voiced Gary's father in "Gary & Mike".
2006: Little Miss Sunshine Release
Cranston appeared in the film Little Miss Sunshine in 2006.
2006: Malcolm in the Middle Ends
Cranston's role as Hal in Malcolm in the Middle ended in 2006.
2006: How I Met Your Mother and Little Miss Sunshine
In 2006, Cranston guest-starred as Hammond Druthers in the CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" and appeared in the film "Little Miss Sunshine".
2006: Malcolm in the Middle Ends
In 2006, the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle ended.
September 2008: Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel
In September 2008, Bryan Cranston narrated the pre-teen adventure/fantasy audiobook "Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel".
2008: First Emmy for Breaking Bad
Bryan Cranston won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Breaking Bad in 2008.
2008: Breaking Bad Premiere
In 2008, Bryan Cranston began starring as Walter White in the AMC series "Breaking Bad".
2008: Breaking Bad Premiere
In 2008, Bryan Cranston began portraying Walter White in the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad.
2009: Second Emmy for Breaking Bad
Cranston won his second Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Breaking Bad in 2009.
2010: Third Emmy for Breaking Bad
Cranston received his third Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in Breaking Bad in 2010.
2011: Drive and Contagion Releases
Cranston appeared in the films Drive and Contagion in 2011.
2011: Breaking Bad Producer and Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series
Cranston became a producer for Breaking Bad and also won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2011.
2011: The Lincoln Lawyer, Drive, Contagion, and Batman: Year One
In 2011, Cranston appeared in the films "The Lincoln Lawyer," "Drive," and "Contagion," and voiced Jim Gordon in "Batman: Year One".
2012: John Carter, Madagascar 3, Rock of Ages, Argo, Total Recall, 30 Rock, and Academy Invitation
In 2012, Cranston appeared in films such as "John Carter," "Madagascar 3," "Rock of Ages," and "Argo," starred in "Total Recall," guest-starred on "30 Rock," and was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
2012: Breaking Bad Emmy Nomination
Cranston was nominated for an Emmy for his work in the fourth season of Breaking Bad in 2012.
2012: Argo and Madagascar 3 Releases
Cranston appeared in the films Argo and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted in 2012.
September 2013: All the Way Premiere at American Repertory Theater
Cranston premiered his portrayal of Lyndon B. Johnson in the play "All the Way" in September 2013.
2013: Breaking Bad Concludes
In 2013, "Breaking Bad" concluded its run, with Cranston's performance earning widespread acclaim.
2013: Breaking Bad Finale
In 2013, the final episode of Breaking Bad aired, concluding Cranston's portrayal of Walter White.
April 2014: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Easter Bonnet Competition
In April 2014, Cranston presented at the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Easter Bonnet Competition.
June 2014: All the Way on Broadway and Tony Award Win
"All the Way" opened on Broadway, and Cranston won a Tony Award for his performance in June 2014.
2014: Fourth Emmy and Golden Globe
In 2014, Cranston won his fourth Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and a Golden Globe for his work on Breaking Bad.
2014: KidSmartz DVD and New TV Projects
In 2014, Cranston released the instructional DVD "KidSmartz" and began developing new TV projects.
2014: Breaking Bad Emmy Win
Cranston won his fourth Emmy for his role as Walter White in the final season of Breaking Bad in 2014.
2014: Tony Award for All the Way
Cranston won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the Broadway play All the Way in 2014.
2014: Godzilla Release
Cranston starred in the film Godzilla in 2014.
2014: Joseph Cranston's Death
Bryan Cranston's father, Joseph Cranston, passed away in 2014.
2015: Sneaky Pete Co-Development
Bryan Cranston co-developed and occasionally appeared in the crime drama series Sneaky Pete, which started in 2015.
2015: Sneaky Pete Premiere
Cranston co-created and starred in "Sneaky Pete," which premiered in 2015.
2015: Trumbo
Cranston starred as Dalton Trumbo in the biopic "Trumbo" in 2015, receiving his first Academy Award nomination.
2015: Trumbo and Award Nominations
Cranston starred as Dalton Trumbo in the film Trumbo in 2015, earning nominations for the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
October 11, 2016: A Life in Parts Publication
Cranston's memoir, "A Life in Parts," was published on October 11, 2016.
2016: Cranston's Political Stance
In 2016, Bryan Cranston supported Hillary Clinton for president and opposed Donald Trump's candidacy. Following Trump's victory, Cranston expressed his hope for Trump's success as president for the sake of the country.
2016: Cranston's Admiration and Desired Collaborations
In 2016, Bryan Cranston expressed his admiration for Dick Van Dyke's physical comedy and mentioned his desire to collaborate with actors like Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, and Dustin Hoffman.
2016: Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams
Cranston starred in and executive produced an episode of "Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams" in 2016.
2016: The Infiltrator and Kung Fu Panda 3 Releases
Cranston appeared in The Infiltrator and voiced a character in Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016.
2016: All the Way HBO Film
Cranston reprised his role as Lyndon B. Johnson in the HBO film adaptation of All the Way in 2016.
November 2017: Network at the Royal National Theatre
Cranston starred in "Network" at the Royal National Theatre, which opened in November 2017.
2017: The Upside Release
Cranston appeared in The Upside in 2017.
2017: The Upside
Cranston starred in the movie "The Upside" alongside Kevin Hart and Nicole Kidman.
2017: Power Rangers
Cranston voiced Zordon in the 2017 "Power Rangers" film.
October 2018: Ford Commercials Voiceover
Cranston became the voice for Ford commercials in October 2018.
December 6, 2018: Network on Broadway
"Network" opened on Broadway on December 6, 2018, with Cranston starring as Howard Beale.
2018: Isle of Dogs Release
Cranston voiced a character in Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs in 2018.
July 2019: Release of Dos Hombres Mezcal
In July 2019, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul launched their mezcal brand, Dos Hombres.
2019: Moonshot Entertainment Deal
Cranston's production company, Moonshot Entertainment, signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television in 2019.
2019: Sneaky Pete Concludes
The Amazon Prime Video series "Sneaky Pete" concluded in 2019.
2019: End of Sneaky Pete
In 2019, the series Sneaky Pete concluded.
2020: Your Honor Premiere
Cranston starred in the drama series Your Honor, which premiered in 2020.
2020: The One and Only Ivan and Your Honor Premiere
In 2020, Cranston starred in "The One and Only Ivan" and began his role in "Your Honor".
2022: Better Call Saul Cameo
Cranston reprised his role as Walter White in the final season of "Better Call Saul" in 2022.
2022: Cranston's Ejection from Celebrity Softball Game
During the 2022 MLB Celebrity Softball Game, Bryan Cranston was ejected after being hit by a pitch and humorously throwing a bucket of bubble gum at an umpire.
2023: Asteroid City Release
Cranston appeared in Asteroid City in 2023.
2023: Your Honor Concludes, Better Call Saul Cameo, and PopCorners Commercial
In 2023, "Your Honor" concluded, Cranston reprised his role as Walter White in "Better Call Saul" and a PopCorners commercial.
2023: Your Honor Concludes
In 2023, the series Your Honor concluded its run.