A life in parts

A memoir and meditation on creativity by the star of "Breaking Bad" chronicles his theatrical childhood and recommitment to acting in the aftermath of his father's disappearance, describing his early acting jobs and the performances that earned him Tony and Emmy Awards.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Cranston, Bryan, 1956- (Author)
Format: Books Print Book
Language:English
Published: New York : Scribner, 2016.
Edition:First Scribner hardcover edition.
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Description
Summary:A memoir and meditation on creativity by the star of "Breaking Bad" chronicles his theatrical childhood and recommitment to acting in the aftermath of his father's disappearance, describing his early acting jobs and the performances that earned him Tony and Emmy Awards.
"Bryan Cranston landed his first role at seven, when his father cast him in a United Way commercial. Acting was clearly the boy's destiny, until one day his father disappeared. Destiny suddenly took a backseat to survival. Now, in his riveting memoir, Cranston maps his zigzag journey from abandoned son to beloved star by recalling the many odd parts he's played in real life-paperboy, farmhand, security guard, dating consultant, murder suspect, dock loader, lover, husband, father. Cranston also chronicles his evolution on camera, from soap opera player trying to master the rules of show business to legendary character actor turning in classic performances as Seinfeld dentist Tim Whatley, 'a sadist with newer magazines, ' and Malcolm in the Middle dad Hal Wilkerson, a lovable bumbler in tighty-whities. He also gives an inspiring account of how he prepared, physically and mentally, for the challenging role of President Lyndon Johnson, a tour de force that won him a Tony to go along with his four Emmys. Of course, Cranston dives deep into the grittiest details of his greatest role, explaining how he searched inward for the personal darkness that would help him create one of the most memorable performances ever captured on screen: Walter White, chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin. Discussing his life as few men do, describing his art as few actors can, Cranston has much to say about creativity, devotion, and craft, as well as innate talent and its challenges and benefits and proper maintenance. But ultimately A Life in Parts is a story about the joy, the necessity, and the transformative power of simple hard work."--Jacket.
Physical Description:274 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
ISBN:9781476793856
1476793859
9781409156581
1409156583
Author Notes:Bryan Cranston was born in Hollywood, California in 1956. He attended Los Angeles Valley College and graduated with an associate degree in police science. He began acting after college and built a successful career which included screenwriting, directing and producer. He acted in the television comedy, Malcom in the Middle and was nominated several times for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He is best known for his role as Walter White in the television series Breaking Bad, winning a Golden Globe and four Satellite Awards. He played Lyndon B. Johnson in the play All the Way, on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in film Trumbo. In 2016, his memoir A Life in Parts became a New York Times best seller.

(Bowker Author Biography)