Hal is back. In April 2026 Bryan Cranston returned to his most lovable role for Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair, a four-part revival on Disney+ in the UK, reuniting with Frankie Muniz and Jane Kaczmarek. This year he also starred as Joe Keller in All My Sons in the West End, earning an Olivier nomination.
From sitcom dad to Walter White and Broadway star, here is how one of the great screen actors of his generation got here. Browse more screen legends in our Hollywood icons collection.
Bryan Cranston Fact File
| Full name | Bryan Lee Cranston |
| Date of birth | 7 March 1956 (age 70) |
| Place of birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer, writer |
| Years active | 1980-present |
| Known for | Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle, Trumbo, Your Honor |
| Signature role | Walter White |
| Emmy wins | 7 Primetime Emmys |
| Business | Co-founder of Dos Hombres mezcal |
Career History
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-1997 | Seinfeld (TV) | Dr. Tim Whatley |
| 2000-2006 | Malcolm in the Middle (TV) | Hal |
| 2008-2013 | Breaking Bad (TV) | Walter White |
| 2012 | Argo | Jack O'Donnell |
| 2014 | Godzilla | Joe Brody |
| 2015 | Trumbo | Dalton Trumbo |
| 2016 | All the Way (TV film) | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| 2017-2019 | Network (stage) | Howard Beale |
| 2020-2023 | Your Honor (TV) | Michael Desiato |
| 2025 | The Studio (TV) | Griffin Mill |
| 2026 | Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair | Hal |
Key screen and stage roles. Network ran at the National Theatre in London and then on Broadway.
Early Years in Los Angeles
Born in Los Angeles in 1956, Cranston spent years as a working actor in commercials, soap operas and guest spots. A recurring role as dentist Tim Whatley in Seinfeld made him a familiar face, and he also appeared in Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Say his name with our Bryan Cranston Men's Hoodie.
Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad
His comic timing shone as Hal, the chaotic, loving dad in Malcolm in the Middle from 2000 to 2006. Then came a complete transformation. As Walter White, the chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin in Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad (2008-2013), he won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times and a Golden Globe, and shared two Outstanding Drama Series Emmys as a producer.
He later reprised Walter for El Camino (2019) and the final season of Better Call Saul (2022).
From Hal to Heisenberg, celebrate it all in our Bryan Cranston Men's T-Shirt.
Film, Stage and the Latest Chapter
On the big screen Cranston appeared in Drive, Argo and Godzilla, and earned an Oscar nomination for playing the blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in Trumbo (2015). On stage he won Tony Awards for All the Way and Network, and an Olivier for Network in London.
Recent years brought Your Honor, Wes Anderson's Asteroid City and an Emmy for his guest turn as Griffin Mill in The Studio (2025), before the Malcolm revival in 2026.
Awards
Emmy Awards (7 wins)
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Breaking Bad (2008, 2009, 2010, 2014)
- Outstanding Drama Series, as producer - Breaking Bad (2013, 2014)
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series - The Studio (2025)
Stage
- Tony Award, Best Actor in a Play - All the Way (2014)
- Tony Award, Best Actor in a Play - Network (2019)
- Olivier Award, Best Actor - Network (2018)
Film and Other
- Academy Award nomination, Best Actor - Trumbo
- Golden Globe, Best Actor in a TV Drama - Breaking Bad
- Five Screen Actors Guild Awards
Away From the Spotlight
In 2019 Cranston launched Dos Hombres, a mezcal brand, with his Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul. The pair's friendship from the show has become one of television's best-loved double acts off screen.
FAQs
How old is Bryan Cranston?
Bryan Cranston is 70. He was born on 7 March 1956.
Where was Bryan Cranston born?
Los Angeles, California.
How many Emmys has Bryan Cranston won?
Seven Primetime Emmys: four for Lead Actor in Breaking Bad, two as a producer on Breaking Bad and one for The Studio in 2025.
Is Malcolm in the Middle coming back?
It already has. The four-part revival Life's Still Unfair premiered on 10 April 2026, with Cranston back as Hal. No second season had been confirmed at the time of writing.
Has Bryan Cranston won a Tony?
Yes, two: for All the Way (2014) and Network (2019).
What is Bryan Cranston's mezcal brand?
Dos Hombres, which he co-founded with Aaron Paul in 2019.
Shop the Bryan Cranston Collection
Add a tribute to a TV legend to your collection - both designs are made to order in the UK.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Breaking Bad: Seasons, Cast and Emmys and Better Call Saul: Seasons and Cast.
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