Award-winning actor Bryan Cranston was born on March 7, 1956 in San Fernando Valley, California. The son of actor Joe Cranston, he entered an acting career after graduating from Canoga Park High School. He began appearing in local and regional theater productions, before moving to minor roles in television and film. He made his screen debut in 1982, when he guest starred in an episode of the police drama CHiPs, and later originated the role of Doug Donovan in the daytime soap Loving.
Throughout his career, Cranston appeared as a guest in numerous television shows. These include The Flash, L.A. Law, Touched by an Angel, Babylon 5, The X Files and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He also held notable recurring roles in other programs: he was “dentist to the stars” Tim Whatley on Seinfeld, neighbor Tim Sacksky on The King of Queens, and boss Hammond Druthers in How I Met Your Mother.
He is, however, best known for his role in the comedy series Malcolm in the Middle. He played the patriarch of the family, Hal, known for his indecisiveness, his passion for many activities, and his occasional (but notorious) fits of temper. The series began in 2000 and lasted for six seasons, and he earned three Emmy nominations for Best Comedy Supporting Actor during the time. He also directed seven episodes of the program. Before that, Cranson was known as part of the miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, which aired in 1998; he played astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Cranston’s next regular television role was in the drama series Breaking Bad, which premiered in 2008. He played chemistry teacher Walter White, whose diagnosis with terminal lung cancer spurs him to give him family a means to survive after his death—manufacturing and distributing crystal methamphetamine. The role gave him his first Emmy award, for Best Drama Actor, later in the year.
Cranston also appeared in several films, having roles in Little Miss Sunshine, Last Chance, Saving Private Ryan and That Thing You Do! He is also an accomplished voice actor, having lent his voice to television commercials, redubs of Japanese anime, and characters in American Dad! and Lilo & Stitch: The Series.