“A Life in Parts” by Bryan Cranston

When most people see Bryan Cranston’s face they think Walter White from “Breaking Bad” the story of the terminally ill high school chemistry teacher who becomes a crystal meth king pin. I, however, think immediately of handsome Doug Donovan from “Loving,” because during the early 1980s ABC was my soap opera channel. No matter era you are drawn to when you see Cranston’s face, you have to recognize this is one incredibly intense, hard working actor. In “My Life in Parts,” Cranston details the dozens of other jobs he had in his life including paperboy, farmhand, security guard, hotel luggage handler and an ordained minister who married couples on Catalina Island. Raised in Hollywood with his brother and sister, Bryan’s mom was a radio actress and his dad was an actor and boxer who would eventually abandon the family. So Bryan’s drive to work while his dad never lived up to his full potential runs deep. Over the years he had been in dozens of movies and television shows including stand out roles in  “Seinfeld,” “The X Files” and “Malcolm in the Middle” before hitting the top with “Breaking Bad.” When the part was originally pitched to him the producer said his character was going to go from “Mr. Chips to Scarface” which piqued Cranston’s interest immediately. He is one of those actors who approaches each part in such an intense way that you can’t help but admire not only his talent but also his dedication and creativity. And, yes he is happily married too (to wife Robin for 28 years), which always makes the perfect end to any book for me. To purchase this book on Amazon click here.