Bryan Cranston

Biography

Bryan Lee Cranston is an American actor, voice actor, writer and director. He is perhaps best-known for his roles as "Walter White" on the AMC drama series, Breaking Bad (2008), for which he has won four consecutive Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy Awards, and as "Hal", the father on the Fox situation comedy, Malcolm in the Middle (2000). Other notable roles include "Dr. Tim Whatley" on Seinfeld (1989), Doug Heffernan's neighbor on The King of Queens (1998), astronaut Buzz Aldrin in From the Earth to the Moon (1998), and Ted Mosby's boss on How I Met Your Mother (2005). Bryan was born in Canoga Park, California, to Audrey Peggy Sell, a radio actress, and Joseph Louis "Joe" Cranston, who was also an actor (and a boxer). His maternal grandparents were German, and his father was of Irish, German, and Austrian descent.

70years old

Turns 71 on March 7in 117 days

Born March 7, 1956Hollywood
Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
Bryan Lee Cranston (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 51
Career span: 39 years1987 to 2026

Genres

Drama51%, 26 films
Comedy37%, 19 films
Action29%, 15 films
Sci-Fi20%, 10 films
Adventure18%, 9 films

First and latest

Photos

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Early training
Cranston took an acting class as an elective at Los Angeles Valley College, which inspired him to pursue acting at age 19.

Bryan Cranston movies on Netflix

The Sheep Detectives2026IMDb rating 7.4as Sebastian (voice)
Everything's Going to Be Great2025IMDb rating 5.6as Buddy Smart
Argylle2024IMDb rating 5.6as Director Ritter
Kung Fu Panda 42024IMDb rating 6.3as Li (voice)
Asteroid City2023IMDb rating 6.4as The Host
Jerry & Marge Go Large2022IMDb rating 6.9as Jerry Selbee
The One and Only Ivan2020IMDb rating 6.6as Mack
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie2019IMDb rating 7.3as Walt
The Upside2019IMDb rating 7.1as Phillip Lacasse
Isle of Dogs2018IMDb rating 7.8as Chief (voice)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize2018IMDb rating 7.8as Himself
Last Flag Flying2017IMDb rating 6.9as Sal Nealon
Power Rangers2017IMDb rating 5.9as Zordon
Wakefield2017IMDb rating 6.3as Howard Wakefield
All the Way2016IMDb rating 7.2as Lyndon B. Johnson
Get a Job2016IMDb rating 5.3as Roger Davis
In Dubious Battle2016IMDb rating 6.0as Sheriff
Kung Fu Panda 32016IMDb rating 7.1as Li (voice)
The Infiltrator2016IMDb rating 7.0as Robert Mazur
Why Him?2016IMDb rating 6.2as Ned Fleming
Trumbo2015IMDb rating 7.4as Dalton Trumbo
Godzilla2014IMDb rating 6.4as Joe Brody
Cold Comes the Night2013IMDb rating 5.7as Topo
David Blaine: Real or Magic2013IMDb rating 7.6as Himself
Argo2012IMDb rating 7.7as Jack O'Donnell
John Carter2012IMDb rating 6.6as Powell
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012IMDb rating 6.8as Vitaly (voice)
Red Tails2012IMDb rating 5.9as Colonel William Mortamus
Rock of Ages2012IMDb rating 5.9as Mike Whitmore
Total Recall2012IMDb rating 6.2as Cohaagen
Batman: Year One2011IMDb rating 7.3as Jim Gordon (voice)
Contagion2011IMDb rating 6.8as Lyle Haggerty
Detachment2011IMDb rating 7.7as Mr. Dearden
Drive2011IMDb rating 7.8as Shannon
Larry Crowne2011IMDb rating 6.1as Dean Tainot
The Lincoln Lawyer2011IMDb rating 7.3as Detective Lankford
Love Ranch2010IMDb rating 5.6as James Pettis
Hard Four2007IMDb rating 4.0as Lt. Bryce Baxter
Little Miss Sunshine2006IMDb rating 7.8as Stan Grossman
Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D2005IMDb rating 6.9as Buzz Aldrin (voice)
Seeing Other People2004IMDb rating 5.8as Peter
'Twas the Night2001IMDb rating 5.2as Nick Wrigley
Terror Tract2000IMDb rating 6.0as Ron Gatley
Strategic Command1997IMDb rating 4.3as Phil Hertzberg
Time Under Fire1997IMDb rating 3.7as Braddock
Armitage III: Poly Matrix1996IMDb rating 6.7as Eddie
The Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime1996IMDb rating 7.2as Patrick Dougherty
The Companion1994IMDb rating 5.6as Alan
Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story1993IMDb rating 5.6
Dead Space1991IMDb rating 3.6as Dr. Frank Darden
The Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman1987IMDb rating 6.3as Dr. Shepherd

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Argo2012 Biography, Drama, Thrilleras Jack O'Donnell
IMDb rating 7.7673K votes
Drive2011 Crime, Dramaas Shannon
IMDb rating 7.8774K votes
Isle of Dogs2018as Chiefvoice
IMDb rating 7.8215K votes
Godzilla2014as Joe Brody
IMDb rating 6.4468K votes
Kung Fu Panda 32016as Livoice
IMDb rating 7.1224K votes
Why Him?2016as Ned Fleming
IMDb rating 6.2137K votes
Trumbo2015as Dalton Trumbo
IMDb rating 7.488K votes
Little Miss Sunshine2006as Stan Grossman
IMDb rating 7.8566K votes

Most often with

Wes Anderson directed two of these films, Brad Furman two and Jay Roach two. Four actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Tom Hanks

Helen Mirren

Steve Carell

Cedric the Entertainer

Willem Dafoe

John Goodman

Wes AndersonDirector, 2 films Brad FurmanDirector, 2 films Jay RoachDirector, 2 films

Films together

Tom Hanks3 films together, 2005 to 2023
Tom Hanks's page
- Asteroid City2023IMDb rating 6.4Cranston as The HostHanks as Stanley Zak
- Larry Crowne2011IMDb rating 6.1Cranston as Dean TainotHanks as Larry Crowne
- Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D2005IMDb rating 6.9Cranston as Buzz AldrinvoiceHanks as Narratorvoice
Helen Mirren3 films together, 2010 to 2020
Helen Mirren's page
- The One and Only Ivan2020IMDb rating 6.6Cranston as MackMirren as Snickersvoice
- Trumbo2015IMDb rating 7.4Cranston as Dalton TrumboMirren as Hedda Hopper
- Love Ranch2010IMDb rating 5.6Cranston as James PettisMirren as Grace Bontempo
Steve Carell3 films together, 2006 to 2023
Steve Carell's page
- Asteroid City2023IMDb rating 6.4Cranston as The HostCarell as The Motel Manager
- Last Flag Flying2017IMDb rating 6.9Cranston as Sal NealonCarell as Larry 'Doc' Shepherd
- Little Miss Sunshine2006IMDb rating 7.8Cranston as Stan GrossmanCarell as Frank Ginsberg
Cedric the Entertainer3 films together, 2011 to 2016
Cedric the Entertainer's page
- Why Him?2016IMDb rating 6.2Cranston as Ned FlemingEntertainer as Lou Dunne
- Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012IMDb rating 6.8Cranston as VitalyvoiceEntertainer as Mauricevoice
- Larry Crowne2011IMDb rating 6.1Cranston as Dean TainotEntertainer as Lamar
Willem Dafoe2 films together, 2012 to 2023
Willem Dafoe's page
- Asteroid City2023IMDb rating 6.4Cranston as The HostDafoe as Saltzburg Keitel
- John Carter2012IMDb rating 6.6Cranston as PowellDafoe as Tars Tarkas
John Goodman2 films together, 2012 to 2015
John Goodman's page
- Trumbo2015IMDb rating 7.4Cranston as Dalton TrumboGoodman as Frank King
- Argo2012IMDb rating 7.7Cranston as Jack O'DonnellGoodman as John Chambers
Wes AndersonDirector, 2 films, 2018 to 2023
All films by Wes Anderson
- Asteroid City2023IMDb rating 6.4Cranston as The Host
- Isle of Dogs2018IMDb rating 7.8Cranston as Chiefvoice
Brad FurmanDirector, 2 films, 2011 to 2016
All films by Brad Furman
- The Infiltrator2016IMDb rating 7.0Cranston as Robert Mazur
- The Lincoln Lawyer2011IMDb rating 7.3Cranston as Detective Lankford
Jay RoachDirector, 2 films, 2015 to 2016
All films by Jay Roach
- All the Way2016IMDb rating 7.2Cranston as Lyndon B. Johnson
- Trumbo2015IMDb rating 7.4Cranston as Dalton Trumbo
Also two films together37 more actors
- James HongKung Fu Panda 4 (2024) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- John LeguizamoThe Infiltrator (2016) and The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
- Laurence FishburneLast Flag Flying (2017) and Contagion (2011)
- Fred TatasciorePower Rangers (2017) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- James FrancoIn Dubious Battle (2016) and Why Him? (2016)
- Matt DamonContagion (2011) and Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)
- Sam RockwellArgylle (2024) and The One and Only Ivan (2020)
- Alan ArkinArgo (2012) and Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
- Dustin HoffmanKung Fu Panda 4 (2024) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- Tilda SwintonAsteroid City (2023) and Isle of Dogs (2018)
- Jack BlackKung Fu Panda 4 (2024) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- Seth RogenKung Fu Panda 4 (2024) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- Marcia Gay HardenGet a Job (2016) and Detachment (2011)
- Liev SchreiberAsteroid City (2023) and Isle of Dogs (2018)
- Scarlett JohanssonAsteroid City (2023) and Isle of Dogs (2018)
- Adrien BrodyAsteroid City (2023) and Detachment (2011)
- Matthew McConaugheyThe Lincoln Lawyer (2011) and Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)
- Lucy LiuKung Fu Panda 3 (2016) and Detachment (2011)
- Bob GuntonArgo (2012) and The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
- Steve BlumBatman: Year One (2011) and Armitage III: Poly Matrix (1996)
- Angelina JolieThe One and Only Ivan (2020) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- Frances McDormandIsle of Dogs (2018) and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
- John ChoGet a Job (2016) and Total Recall (2012)
- Keegan-Michael KeyJulia Louis-Dreyfus: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize (2018) and Why Him? (2016)
- Edward NortonAsteroid City (2023) and Isle of Dogs (2018)
- Tate DonovanThe Upside (2019) and Argo (2012)
- Andy RichterMadagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) and Seeing Other People (2004)
- Christina HendricksDetachment (2011) and Drive (2011)
- Nicholas BraunThe Sheep Detectives (2026) and Get a Job (2016)
- Julia Louis-DreyfusThe Sheep Detectives (2026) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize (2018)
- John GetzTrumbo (2015) and Hard Four (2007)
- Ken WatanabeIsle of Dogs (2018) and Godzilla (2014)
- Michael CavanaughStrategic Command (1997) and Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story (1993)
- Rick GomezLove Ranch (2010) and Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)
- Kathryn HarroldThe Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime (1996) and The Companion (1994)
- Larry PoindexterStrategic Command (1997) and Time Under Fire (1997)
- Tina HuangDrive (2011) and Larry Crowne (2011)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What Bryan Cranston's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$4.4 billion

28 of the 51 films have a worldwide figure.

28Worldwide figure
3US gross only
10Never in cinemas
1Streaming, short cinema run
9Figure not found

Top grosser

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012Vitaly$747 million

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 72% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted2012as Vitaly (voice)
$747M16.9% of the total
2
Kung Fu Panda 42024as Li (voice)
$548M12.4% of the total
3
Godzilla2014as Joe Brody
$525M11.9% of the total
4
Kung Fu Panda 32016as Li (voice)
$521M11.8% of the total
5
John Carter2012as Powell
$284M6.4% of the total
6
Argo2012as Jack O'Donnell
$232M5.3% of the total
7
Total Recall2012as Cohaagen
$199M4.5% of the total
8
Power Rangers2017as Zordon
$142M3.2% of the total

The Sheep Detectives (2026), $132 million

Little Miss Sunshine (2006), $101 million

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), $85.4 million

$1.2 billionfrom the other 20 films with a worldwide figure, 28% of the total

Awards

Eleven awards and honors from 2008 to 2014, five of them major.

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Bryan Cranston's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Emmy Awards
2014	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Breaking Bad	Won
2010	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Breaking Bad	Won
2009	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Breaking Bad	Won
2008	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Breaking Bad	Won
Tony Awards
2014	Best Actor in a Play		Won
Other honors
2014	Theatre World Award		Won
	Audie Award for Narration by the Author or Authors		Won
	Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play		Won
	Drama League Award		Won
	Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television		Won
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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