Exclusive Portraits: Bryan Cranston Promotes ‘Dos Hombres’ Libation

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CHICAGO – The binge world is abuzz with the anticipation of what actor Bryan Cranston will bring in reprising his Walter White character (‘Breaking Bad), in the prequel/sequel series ‘Better Call Saul.’ In the meantime, he has a branded tequila to promote, and photographer Joe Arce got the Exclusive Portrait.

As Joe Arce wrote, “They started lining up at midnight, some even coming from neighboring states” at Sal’s Beverage World in Villa Park, Illinois, welcoming the ‘Bad’-ass star Cranston, as he appeared on behalf of his brand liquor partnership with fellow BB cohort Aaron Paul, “Dos Hombres” Mezcal Artesian Tequila. As Joe observed, “I spied both ‘Heisenberg’ hats and tats, and while I’m not saying there was a lot of pre-bottle-signing libation at 9:45am on a Sunday morning, there was definitely a celebratory atmosphere like welcoming a favorite Rock Star to town.”

Bryan Cranston at Sal’s Beverage World for ‘Dos Hombres’ Tequila, May 22nd, 2022
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Bryan Lee Cranston was born in Hollywood, California, and is one of those rare character actors who achieved leading man status after age 40. When attending Los Angeles Valley College he found acting at age 19, when “all of a sudden, my life changed.” He did various working actor jobs … including a soap opera and animation voice over … while getting his first notices as Dr. Tim Whatley, the dentist on “Seinfeld,’ and doing character parts in classic films “That Thing You Do!,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Little Miss Sunshine.

Bryan Cranston and His New Branded Tequila
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

His breakthrough came with “Malcolm in the Middle” in 2000, as he unforgettably rendered the hapless Dad Hal. But the best was yet to come, as two years after ‘Malcolm’ ended, he scored the searing role of Walter “Heisenberg” White with his co-star/tequila partner Aaron Paul. He road the character to legend by the series end in 2013, and will reprise the part in the prequel series “Better Call Saul” as the highlight to their sixth season, which began on April 18th, 2022, in Part One. Part Two begins July 11th.

The Display for ‘Dos Hombres,’ co-owned by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul of ‘Breaking Bad’
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

In the meantime, Bryan Cranston has graduated to film leading roles, piloting the biopic “Trumbo” (2015), “Wakefield” (2016) and “Last Flag Flying” (2017). On stage (later a film), he portrayed President Lyndon Johnson in “All the Way” and Howard Beale in the stage version of “Network.” Besides completing his appearance in “Better Call Saul” he’s working now on the intriguingly titled “Jerry and Marge go Large.” Joe Arce photographed Bryan Cranston at Sal’s Beverage World in Villa Park on May 22nd, 2022,

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com