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A Life in Parts

By: Bryan Cranston
Narrated by: Bryan Cranston
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Summary

A rare treat, Bryan Cranston narrates his own fascinating life story with the same wit and raw emotion that characterizes his acting repertoire. Listen as the actor takes us through his early days as a struggling actor to his meteoric rise following his acclaimed, award-winning portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad.

Bryan Cranston landed his first role at seven, when his father, a struggling actor and director, cast him in a commercial. Soon Bryan was haunting the local movie theater, reenacting scenes with his older brother. Acting was clearly his destiny - until one day his father disappeared.

As a young man on a classic cross-country motorcycle trip, he found himself stranded at a rest area in the Blue Ridge Mountains. To pass the time, he read a tattered copy of Hedda Gabler, and in a flash he found himself face-to-face with his original calling. Suddenly he thought this was what he would do with the rest of his life. Act.

In his riveting memoir, A Life in Parts, Cranston traces his journey from chaotic childhood to his dramatic epiphany to megastardom and a cultlike following by revisiting the many parts he's played on camera (astronaut, dentist, candy bar spokesperson, president of the United States, etc.) and off (paperboy, farmhand, dating consultant, murder suspect, son, brother, lover, husband, father).

With great humour and humility, Cranston chronicles his unlikely rise from a soap opera regular to a recurring spot on Seinfeld. He recalls his run as the well-meaning goofball, Hal, on Malcolm in the Middle, and he gives a bracing account of his challenging run on Broadway as President Lyndon Johnson, pushing himself to the limit as he prepared for a tour de force that would win him a Tony to accompany his four Emmys. And, of course, Cranston dives deep into the grittiest, most fascinating details of his greatest role, explaining how he searched inward for the personal darkness that would help him create one of the most riveting performances ever captured on screen: Walter White, chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin in Breaking Bad.

Discussing his failures as few men do, describing his work as few actors can, Cranston has much to say about innate talent and its benefits, challenges and proper maintenance, but ultimately A Life in Parts is about the necessity and transformative power of hard work.

©2016 Ribit Productions Inc (P)2016 Simon & Schuster
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What listeners say about A Life in Parts

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Very good

Really enjoyed this. To hear it read by Bryan Cranston was a bonus. I have been fascinated by him since binge watching Breaking Bad and this has led me to watching much of his other work but Walter White cannot be beaten! Great to hear about the man behind the characters, how he approached his various roles and the life of an actor. If you like anything Bryan Cranston has done, I think you’ll enjoy this. I did.

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Great

If you have enjoyed any work by Bryan Cranston you’ll enjoy this audiobook. Elevated by Cranston reading his own words the stories told give a full and frank view of his life. The chapter about Walter White was a favourite, as well as his system for choosing parts now his options are much wider. Was genuinely fascinating to hear how a quality smaller role actor became a titan of TV and Film

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Great title

Great insight into acting, fame and all the good and bad that comes with it. Expertly delivered, and it feels like Bryan is sat with you telling his story.

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A fantastic listen

Mainly purchased for Breaking Bad, but I got so invested in Bryan’s journey to becoming a successful actor. He teaches many lessons as son, father, actor, and as a person. Fantastic book, would recommend to anyone

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Fascinating, funny - I learned a lot

This is a fascinating life tale. I don’t read a lot of biographies - I have never downloaded an audiobook before now, but there was something about Bryan Cranston, his story and his delivery that made me want to purchase this. I had heard snippets of his life through his media appearances and enjoyed the way he told stories - he was honest, always came across kind and I felt like I always learned something. Listening to this was more of the same. Thoroughly enjoyable to hear a master of his craft be so transparent and discuss his weaknesses, his fears and his successes with the same energy. I will never forget coming to the end of a run and listening to how he lost his virginity... no personal best that day for me!

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An Actor’s Life...

This is an enjoyable and entertaining listen that covers the author’s early life, youth, manhood, acting and of course ‘Breaking Bad’.

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essential reading

must read for Breaking Bad fans. this guy has led a interesting and varied life

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Brilliant

Absolutely brilliant! Just I thought I couldn't love the guy anymore. Truly amazing book, truly amazing actor.

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inspiring and well read

Fascinating life, well written and well read. Made me laugh out loud and cry profusely!Every aspiring actor should listen to this.

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Great

I enjoyed the stories and enjoyed the honesty. I think the fact that it was read by himself made it even better.

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