Bryan Cranston, Diverse Actor Quiz | Celebrities

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Bryan Cranston has been involved in acting since the early 1980s, even though he didn't get a steady prime time TV job until the 2000s. NBC gave him some gigs early on in his career. Which of these NBC shows did he NOT receive a guest starring appearance?

Answer: The A-Team

According to his filmography, "CHiPs" was his earliest gig, playing Billy Joe in 1982. He was 26 at the time. He also appeared in "Hill Street Blues" in 1987, and "L.A. Law" in 1992. Other top TV shows he had guest spots on are: "3rd Rock From the Sun"(1996), "Baywatch"(1989), and "Falcon Crest"(1981).

2. Bryan Cranston also appeared in three episodes of one show playing three different roles. What show was he hired on three different times over the span of a decade?

Answer: Murder, She Wrote

In seasons two, six, and twelve of "Murder" (1984), he respectively played Brian East, Jerry Wilber, and Parker Foreman. Apparently he must not have been that memorable, as Angela Lansbury surely would have wondered why he always was nearby when someone died. She seemed to notice everything else on the show.

He did have a gig on "The X-Files" (1993), but only appeared one time.

3. One of Bryan Cranston's early memorable roles was a recurring role on the hit show "Seinfeld"(1989). His character had a definitive occupation; what was it?

Answer: Dentist

Bryan was Dr. Tim Whatley for five episodes spread out over three different seasons. His role as a dentist was so well received early on that he made it impossible for Jerry to stop at one episode.

Some of the eccentricities of Dr. Tim were: "Re-gifting" a label Elaine had given him for not charging for dental work, putting "Penthouse" magazine in the lobby when Jerry Seinfeld was waiting for his appointment, and converting to Judaism "for the jokes".

4. Bryan Cranston is arguably best known for his role on the sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle"(2000) as Hal. What was the family's last name?

Answer: Wilkerson

Hal was the head of the dysfunctional Wilkerson family for over six seasons on FOX. He gained several award nominations for his comedic talent on the show. Malcolm and his family were often described as dysfunctionally normal, as many families could relate to the parents vs. kids mentality they sometimes portrayed.

Bryan showed during this show's six seasons he was willing to give his "all" for the craft. In the Pilot episode, he got his back shaved while reading the paper by the breakfast table. When asked to lift the paper to reach under his arms, his sons were forced to see his...ummm, shortcomings. Later in the series he wore a suit of bees. It was reported during the scene's filming he was stung on his...ummm, shortcomings.

5. Bryan Cranston had some early steady work on two soap operas in the 1980s. Besides "One Life to Live" (1968), which he spent minimal time on, which soap did he spend the two debut seasons on?

Answer: Loving

As an original cast member on "Loving", Bryan played Doug Donovan for two seasons in 1983 and '84. This was after being discovered for his role on the TV movie, "Love Without End" (1982).

"Loving" ran for 13 seasons, finally ending in 1995 after languishing last in the ratings among the soaps of the time. The plots hinged on two families, the working class Donovan family, and the upper class Alden family. "Guiding Light" has been on TV since 1952, ending in September of 2009, "Ryan's Hope" ran from 1975 to 1989, and "Santa Barbara" ran from 1984 to 1993.

6. Bryan wasn't always planning to be a professional actor. In fact his college degree said otherwise. What did Bryan have his Bachelor's in?

Answer: Police Science

His earliest interests were law enforcement and sports. He had desires to become a professional baseball player, but a thing called "lack of talent" got in the way. After graduating with a degree in police science in the late 1970s, he took a two-year trip with his brother to find himself, discovered community theatre, discovered he was good, and the rest is history.

7. Twice in his acting career, Bryan Cranston has had significant roles in Tom Hanks-helmed projects, playing two different real people prominent in their field. What was their occupation?

Answer: Astronaut

In HBO's "From the Earth to the Moon" (1998) he played Buzz Aldrin. In Tom Hanks' directorial debut "That Thing You Do"(1996), he played Virgil "Gus" Grissom.

8. Bryan has received his highest accolades for his brutally honest portrayal of a man with cancer trying to provide for his family on the critically acclaimed "Breaking Bad". What was the name of Bryan Cranston's character on "Breaking Bad"?

Answer: Walter White

Bryan's portrayal of Walter White in season one of "Breaking Bad" in 2008 gained Bryan his first Emmy win. This was quite a feat, due to the fact "Breaking Bad" was not a heavily watched show. His acting ability caused those who watched, to root for his character who was, no way around it, a drug maker and dealer. But his willingness to go through all that the business entailed showed his devotion to his family.

I'm proud to say I tried hard to spread the word of his incredible performance on this show during the first season and told everyone, "I think this guy deserves an Emmy for this." He truly deserved it.

9. Bryan Cranston also had a guest spot in a 1986 episode of TV's "Airwolf" (1984), playing Robert Hollis, the villain for that particular episode. In this episode he held a woman hostage before losing the battle. What was unique about the woman who played the hostage?

Answer: Bryan married her.

The woman was Robin Dearden, and they have been married since 1989. Bryan and Robin have one daughter. For some, holding your fellow actors at gunpoint is a turn-on, I guess. It certainly is a new way to break the ice.

10. Bryan Cranston has shown his philanthropic side, producing and starring in an educational video, and donating half of the proceeds to the National Center for what?

Answer: for Missing and Exploited Children

The video, called "KidSmartz" (2003), teaches kids how to stay safe from child abduction. The video empowers families, rather than scaring them into doing nothing. "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh, and "Parents" Magazine both endorse the DVD.

Source: Author spaudrey

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nannanut before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Bryan Cranston, Diverse Actor Trivia Quiz

Bryan Cranston was considered an under-appreciated thespian until 2008, when he won an Emmy for Best Actor. Here's a quiz to celebrate his life and career.

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