A Life in Parts
Published on 20. October 2016
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-4091-5657-4 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
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 I loved this book. It's just the right mixture of funny, sad and heartfelt. If I'd known Bryan could tell stories this well, I would have had him writing episodes of Breaking Bad. -- Vince Gilligan The highs here -and there are many -are meth-less but addictive. * KIRKUS REVIEWS * This splendid, moving, heartbreaking memoir is doubly triumphant. It regales and entertains while at the same time providing inspiration and practical wisdom. A truly gifted storyteller, Cranston captures the reader's imagination and emotions from beginning to end. -- Doris Kearns Goodwin By turns gritty,funny, and sad, this fiercely intelligent book from the Breaking Bad star defies celebrity memoir tropes. -- Entertainment Weekly [A] substantial memoir from one of Hollywood's most introspective stars...anyone interested in acting will devour Cranston's savvy advice about honing one's craft and building one's career. -- Booklist It's an engrossing first-person account by one of our finest actors and I couldn't put it down. -- Phil Simon * HUFFINGTON POST * Fans of Breaking Bad will be glued to this riveting memoir, which looks at how he worked to create such a dark and legendary character. But long before Walter White, Bryan Cranston's life story was fascinating and dramatic. * IRISH COUNTRY MAGAZINE * His memoir, A Life in Parts, shows him as a superb anecdotalist with an honest take on how he dealt with fame found later in life." -- Jonathan Dean * SUNDAY TIMES CULTURE * a fascinating read and a satisfying look into Cranston's life -- Pip Ellwood * ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS * A great guy reading his great book to you like you're both just downing session IPAs in some crack-in-the-wall bar no one else has found. Cranston's widely acclaimed memoir has been winning praise for its earnest account of a good man fighting to be the actor he always dreamed of, and his gentle, confessional honesty shines through all the more when spoken in his loveable folksy tones. * MR HYDE *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Target group
Interest Age: From 16 to 99 years
Dimensions
Height: 166 mm
Width: 235 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
516 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4091-5657-4 (9781409156574)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Bryan Cranston won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad. He holds the honor of being the first actor in a cable series, and the second lead actor in the history of the Emmy Awards, to receive three consecutive wins. In 2014 he won a Tony Award for his role as President Lyndon B. Johnson in the bio-play All the Way. In film, Cranston has won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and received an Academy Award nomination for his leading role in Trumbo. Among his numerous television and film appearances, he was nominated for a Golden Globe and three Emmys for his portrayal of Hal in FOX's Malcolm in the Middle. He is the author of A Life in Parts. Follow him on twitter @BryanCranston