Bryan Cranston Receives Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

"Breaking Bad'' star Bryan Cranston received the 2,502nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, setting the stage for the Aug. 11 start of the AMC drama's final eight episodes.

Cranston's "Breaking Bad'' co-star Aaron Paul; Jane Kaczmarek, who played his wife in the 2000-06 Fox comedy ``Malcolm in the Middle''; and actor John O'Hurley joined him at the ceremony in front of The Redbury hotel on Vine Street.

Cranston has won three Emmys for outstanding actor in a drama for his portrayal of straight-laced high school chemistry teacher-turned- methamphetamine manufacturer Walter White. He also received a best supporting actor in a comedy nomination for his work on "Malcolm in the Middle.''

Cranston was born March 7, 1956, in Canoga Park. His father Joe was an actor and producer, and his mother, Audrey Peggy Sell, was a radio actress.

Cranston made his acting debut when he was 8 years old in a United Way commercial, but acting didn't become a serious consideration until he finished college. While on a cross-country motorcycle trip with his brother, he discovered community theater and began exploring every aspect of the stage. He was soon cast in a summer stock company.

Cranston's first prime-time credit was for a guest-starring role on a 1982 episode of "CHiPs.'' He was part of the original cast of the ABC daytime drama "Loving,'' which premiered in 1983.

Cranston's other early television appearances included "Airwolf,'' "Murder, She Wrote,'' "Hill Street Blues,'' "Falcon Crest'' and "Baywatch,'' the made-for-TV movies "The Return of the Six-Million-Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman'' and "I Know My First Name is Steven,'' and the miniseries "North and South, Book II.''

Cranston became a prime-time series cast member for the first time in 1988 playing the flaky brother-in-law of Donald Marshack (James Naughton) on the short-lived CBS comedy "Raising Miranda.''

In the 1990s, Cranston appeared in six episodes of the NBC comedy "Seinfeld'' as dentist Tim Whatley. He portrayed Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, on the HBO miniseries, "From the Earth to the Moon.''

Cranston's movie credits include the 2012 best picture Oscar winner "Argo,'' the 2012 remake of "Total Recall,'' "Saving Private Ryan,'' "Rock of Ages,'' "Drive,'' "Little Miss Sunshine,'' "Contagion,'' "John Carter,'' "The Lincoln Lawyer'' and "That Thing You Do!'

Cranston is in production on the remake of "Godzilla,'' set to be released next spring.

- City News Service