Bryan Cranston has had a slow but steady rise to stardom. Here are some of the stops along the way to "Breaking Bad's" Walter White.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Bryan Cranston has had a slow but steady rise to stardom. Here are some of the stops along the way to "Breaking Bad's" Walter White.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Among Cranston's early roles was Doug Donovan on the ABC soap "Loving." He was on the show from 1983-1985.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Among Cranston's early roles was Doug Donovan on the ABC soap "Loving." He was on the show from 1983-1985.
ABC
Cranston made a good living in the '80s and '90s with commercials, including ads for such brands as Preparation H.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Cranston made a good living in the '80s and '90s with commercials, including ads for such brands as Preparation H.
Youtube
One of Cranston's most-seen commercials was a popular spot with Michael J. Fox for Lay's potato chips.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
One of Cranston's most-seen commercials was a popular spot with Michael J. Fox for Lay's potato chips.
Youtube
On "Seinfeld," Cranston plays dentist Tim Whatley, who converted to Judaism in one episode (for, Seinfeld believes, the jokes) and was labeled a "re-gifter" in another.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
On "Seinfeld," Cranston plays dentist Tim Whatley, who converted to Judaism in one episode (for, Seinfeld believes, the jokes) and was labeled a "re-gifter" in another.
NBC
Cranston has been cast as two real-life astronauts -- Gus Grissom and Buzz Aldrin. Here, he plays Aldrin in the 1998 miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon."
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Cranston has been cast as two real-life astronauts -- Gus Grissom and Buzz Aldrin. Here, he plays Aldrin in the 1998 miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon."
HBO/Everett Collection
In a 1998 episode of "The X-Files" called "Drive," Cranston plays a bigoted yet sympathetic driver who worried that his head would explode. Vince Gilligan, who wrote the episode, remembered Cranston when it came to casting his show "Breaking Bad."
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
In a 1998 episode of "The X-Files" called "Drive," Cranston plays a bigoted yet sympathetic driver who worried that his head would explode. Vince Gilligan, who wrote the episode, remembered Cranston when it came to casting his show "Breaking Bad."
20th Century Fox Television
Cranston plays a War Department colonel in "Saving Private Ryan" (1998).
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Cranston plays a War Department colonel in "Saving Private Ryan" (1998).
Dreamworks
Cranston's loosey-goosey portrayal of Hal, the father on "Malcolm in the Middle" (here with co-star Jane Kaczmarek), earned him three Emmy nominations.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Cranston's loosey-goosey portrayal of Hal, the father on "Malcolm in the Middle" (here with co-star Jane Kaczmarek), earned him three Emmy nominations.
20th Century Fox Television
As "Breaking Bad's" Walter White, a former chemistry teacher turned meth mogul, Cranston (with Aaron Paul, left) has won three Emmys.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
As "Breaking Bad's" Walter White, a former chemistry teacher turned meth mogul, Cranston (with Aaron Paul, left) has won three Emmys.
Frank Ockenfels/AMC
With the success of "Breaking Bad," Cranston's movie career has entered a higher gear. He co-stars with Matthew McConaughey in 2011's "The Lincoln Lawyer."
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
With the success of "Breaking Bad," Cranston's movie career has entered a higher gear. He co-stars with Matthew McConaughey in 2011's "The Lincoln Lawyer."
Saeed Adyani/lionsgate
Cranston is one of many stars -- including Laurence Fishburne -- in the 2011 film "Contagion."
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Cranston is one of many stars -- including Laurence Fishburne -- in the 2011 film "Contagion."
Warner Bros.
Cranston voices Vitaly the Tiger in 2012's "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted."
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Cranston voices Vitaly the Tiger in 2012's "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted."
Paramount Pictures
In 2012's "Rock of Ages," Cranston plays a candidate for mayor. Catherine Zeta-Jones co-stars.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
In 2012's "Rock of Ages," Cranston plays a candidate for mayor. Catherine Zeta-Jones co-stars.
Warner Bros
Cranston also plays a politician -- but one far more ruthless -- in the 2012 version of "Total Recall."
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
Cranston also plays a politician -- but one far more ruthless -- in the 2012 version of "Total Recall."
Columbia Pictures
In 2012's "Drive," Cranston plays a mechanic in hock to some gangsters. Ryan Gosling, left, plays a clever driver.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
In 2012's "Drive," Cranston plays a mechanic in hock to some gangsters. Ryan Gosling, left, plays a clever driver.
FilmDistrict
"Argo" (2012) stars Cranston as a CIA officer, the boss of agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck). "Argo" won best picture at the Oscars.
Bryan Cranston's 'Bad' career —
"Argo" (2012) stars Cranston as a CIA officer, the boss of agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck). "Argo" won best picture at the Oscars.
Claire Folger/Warner Bros.