Bryan Cranston
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Bryan Cranston (born Wednesday, March 7, 1956 in San Fernando Valley, California) is an American actor perhaps best known in his role as Hal, the father of the family in the popular Fox Network television situation comedy Malcolm in the Middle. He has played roles in numerous movies and television programs.
Bryan Cranston is the son of actor Joe Cranston. Cranston grew up in the Los Angeles area and graduated from Canoga Park High School. He began his acting career after college in local and regional theatres, getting his start at the Granada Theatre in the San Fernando Valley, California. Cranston is married to Robin Dearden, who he met on the set of the show "Airwolf" (1984). He was playing the villain of the week, and she was his hostage (held at gunpoint). They have a daughter, Taylor. Cranston was previously married to Mickey Middleton, a writer.
Though best known for his work on Malcolm in the Middle beginning in 2000, Cranston has worked regularly since the late 1980s, though mostly in minor roles. His advertising work includes commercials for Lay's Potato Chips, Excedrin, and Honda Accord. His voice acting includes English dubbing of Japanese Anime, under the name "Lee Stone". The last name of the first Blue Ranger on "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" (1993) was named after him. He did various work as part of the crew (voice-overs, etc.), so the Blue Ranger's full name became Billy Cranston.
His largest role prior to Malcolm was as astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the HBO series From the Earth to the Moon. Cranston has also played astronaut Gus Grissom in the film That Thing You Do!
Fans of Seinfeld recognize Cranston as Jerry Seinfeld's dentist Dr. Tim Whatley. A famous moment from the show is when Jerry suspected that Whatley "converted to Judaism purely for the jokes."
Cranston has directed several episodes of Malcolm in the Middle and received an Emmy nomination for his performance on the show. He also wrote and directed the 1999 movie Last Chance.
On July 6, 2006, Cranston was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Trivia
- Has one daughter named Taylor.
- Has one brother, Kyle Edward Cranston.
- A couple other titles he voiced for were "Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise", and "Macross Plus".
- In the original Armitage III Polymatrix 4 episode home video release (also know as an OAV), he's listed as "Lee Stone", but in the movie edition of the same name, he's listed under his real name "Bryan Cranston".
- Got his start at the Granada Theatre in the San Fernando Valley, California.
- Produced his "Kidsmartz" safety video with his "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) crew during one of their weeks off.
- Such a big baseball fan that his wife threw him a surprise 40th birthday party at Dodgers Stadium.
- Always grows a beard and mustache during his "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) hiatus.
- His favorite episode of "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) is the first season episode "Rollerskates". He spent six weeks before filming learning how to rollerskate.
- Impersonated Brad Garrett's Everybody Loves Raymond (1996) voice shortly after losing to him for the second year in a row at the 2004 Emmy Awards. The crowd laughed hysterically, as did Brad Garrett himself.
- Presented the category "Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series" at the 2004 Emmy Awards with his "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) co-star Jane Kaczmarek. Ironically enough, Bryan had been eligible for that category (for directing the "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) episode "Stereo Store") but did not receive a nomination.
- Was singled out by frequent "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) director Todd Holland during his Emmy speech in 2001. Cranston had been overlooked that year, and Holland proclaimed that he would "stand up here soon." Cranston was subsequently nominated for the first-time the next year.
- Directed three episodes of "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) during its fifth season. The episodes were "Vegas", "Dirty Magazine", and "Experiment".
- The last name of the first Blue Ranger on Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers (1993) was named after him. He did various work as part of the crew (voice-overs, etc.), so the Blue Ranger's full name became Billy Cranston.
- Has a dog named Sugar, saved from a local Los Angeles pound.
- Enjoys traveling to Hawaii.
- Met his wife Robin Dearden on the set of the show "Airwolf" (1984) He was playing the villain of the week, and she was his hostage (held at gunpoint).
- Attended and graduated from Canoga Park High School, Canoga Park, California in 1974.
- Became an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church in order to perform a friend's wedding. For this, he received $50.
External links
- [] at TV.com
- [Official Website]
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