A Life in Parts
Bryan Cranston
Oct 2016 · Seven Dials · Narrated by Bryan Cranston
4.6star
16 reviewsreport
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8 hr 51 min
Unabridged
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'Bryan Cranston has created a cinematic record of how an actor shapes a career and an identity and a legacy all at the same time' Tom Hanks
'A superb anecdotalist with an honest take on how he dealt with fame found later in life' SUNDAY TIMES CULTURE
A poignant, intimate, funny, inspiring memoir - both a coming-of-age story and a meditation on creativity, devotion, and craft - from Bryan Cranston, beloved and acclaimed star of one of history's most successful TV shows, Breaking Bad.
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.
(p) 2016 Simon & Schuster
'A superb anecdotalist with an honest take on how he dealt with fame found later in life' SUNDAY TIMES CULTURE
A poignant, intimate, funny, inspiring memoir - both a coming-of-age story and a meditation on creativity, devotion, and craft - from Bryan Cranston, beloved and acclaimed star of one of history's most successful TV shows, Breaking Bad.
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.
(p) 2016 Simon & Schuster
Ratings and reviews
4.6
16 reviews
Ashley Lightfoot
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September 11, 2022
A good listen but spoiler alert I you have not watched breaking bad. He tells of his process into getting into the character as well as his life growing up. Much more to the man then just what you see on screen. A hard one to put down
Noob Master 69
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- Show review history
November 12, 2021
"Alright, alright, alright, ALRIGHTY THEN! I AM THE DANGER, I AM THE ONE WHO KNOCKS! Here is a list of every single curse word, in the American Language, it's a full four pages of pure filth. I WANT YOU TO SAY EVERY SINGLE ONE TO MY FACE. MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT, KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE. Malcolm I promise you that I won't get angry or the tiniest bit annoyed. Then when you're done. We'll explain what they all mean." 798 CURSE WORDS LATER: Malcolm: "You f...Dad do I have to say it?!" His Dad Hal: "YES, DAMNIT!" Malcolm: "You f...f...u...u...F&@KING C@#T!" Hal's mortified face: 😱
About the author
Bryan Cranston is an Emmy award-winning actor and is most famous for playing Walter White in the TV programme BREAKING BAD.
Born in California, the actor, screenwriter and film producer has appeared in numerous films and TV programmes including SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, ARGO and MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE.
He is currently starring on Broadway in the play ALL THE WAY and it has widely been reported he is in the process of developing a new TV programme with Sony Pictures Television. Follow him on Twitter: @BryanCranston
Born in California, the actor, screenwriter and film producer has appeared in numerous films and TV programmes including SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, ARGO and MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE.
He is currently starring on Broadway in the play ALL THE WAY and it has widely been reported he is in the process of developing a new TV programme with Sony Pictures Television. Follow him on Twitter: @BryanCranston
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