Bryan Cranston

Nomination:

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Breaking Bad

A versatile and prolific actor for over three decades, Bryan Cranston’s authoritative presence made him a perfect fit for policemen, doctors, and the occasional villain in numerous series and the occasional feature. A recurring turn as an eccentric dentist on “Seinfeld” (NBC, 1989-1998) signaled that he possessed formidable comic skills, which received a superb showcase in his Emmy-nominated performance as Hal, the manic father on “Malcolm in the Middle” (Fox, 2000-06). After “Malcolm" left the airwaves in 2007, Cranston returned to series work with “Breaking Bad,” a dark comedy from “X-Files” (Fox, 1993-2002) co-producer Vince Gilligan. Cranston plays a high school chemistry teacher who struggles to support his pregnant wife and a son with cerebral palsy. When he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he tries to cash in on his knowledge of chemicals by manufacturing meth. Critics were unanimous in their praise of Cranston’s dramatic performance, which earned him the 2008 Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.