Bryan Cranston Clarifies Retirement Plans & Wants To Spend More Time With His Wife

Jun 14, 2023

Bryan Cranston is an actor, director and producer who is best known for his starring role as Walter White in the crime drama series “Breaking Bad.” The series lasted from 2008 to 2013 and was a hit amongst fans and critics alike. On top of that, Cranston has shown that he is incredibly versatile when it comes to selecting acting roles, as he is also well-known for his role as Hal in the sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle.” That series ran from 2000 to 20006.

Cranston was born on March 7, 1956, in Los Angeles, California. A Hollywood native, it wasn’t surprising to see Cranston grow up and find his footing in the entertainment industry. Not only that, but his own father was even an actor, although he did not acquire enough work to financially support his family solely through acting. Sadly, Cranston’s father left the family when Cranston was only 11 years old, and the pair did not reconnect until over a decade later. They maintained a relationship until his father passed away in 2014.

While he was obtaining his associate degree from Los Angeles Valley College, Cranston took an acting class, which ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in the field. Since then, he’s received several awards and nominations for his work in TV, film and plays.

It seems like Cranston’s current family life would mean a great deal to him, considering how difficult parts of his childhood were. Fortunately for his wife, Robin Dearden, it seems like Cranston’s priorities may be shifting in the near future as the actor has revealed that he plans on taking a break from Hollywood to focus on spending more time with his wife.

Cranston, 67, has accomplished a great deal over the course of his career. His performance on “Breaking Bad” earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times, as well as a Golden Globe Award. He was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy for “Malcolm in the Middle” three times.

On top of that, Cranston won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of President Lyndon B. Johnson in “All the Way.” He also received praise for his roles in films, including “Saving Private Ryan,” “Trumbo,” “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Isle of Dogs.”

After “Breaking Bad” ended in 2013, Cranston told his agents that he wouldn’t consider television roles for the following three years, according to GQ. “I’m in a very, very opportune position where I don’t have to work,” Cranston said.

His “Breaking Bad” co-star Bob Odenkirk said Cranston knew nothing could beat his role as Walter White and knew he’d have to “ride the various waves that come and go.” Cranston explained:

“I don’t need a job. I don’t want a job. But I love to work. And there’s a big distinction between the two.” 

Cranston has had a busy career. In 2022 and 2023 alone, he starred in “Better Call Saul,” which is part of the “Breaking Bad” franchise, as well as “Your Honor” and “Asteroid City.” But looking ahead, Cranston has plans to slow his career down and instead focus on what matters most — his wife, Robin Dearden. The pair met on the set of “Airwolf” in 1984 and tied the knot in July 1989. Together, they have a daughter, Taylor Dearden.

According to GQ, the actor seemingly announced his plans to retire, including shutting down his production company and selling his half of Dos Hombres before moving to France with Robin. Cranston said:

“For the last 24 years, Robin has led her life holding onto my tail. She’s been the plus one, she’s been the wife of a celebrity. She’s had to pivot and adjust her life based on mine. She has tremendous benefit from it, but we’re uneven. I want to level that out. She deserves it.”

However, Cranston went to Instagram on June 9, 2023, to clarify his remarks and firmly state: “I am not retiring.”

The actor said that he plans to “hit the pause button for a year” after he turns 70 in 2026. He said it will give him a chance to “reset” his career, as he feels he is “beginning to run out of fresh ideas in how to play characters” he was offered, and the break will give him “more expanded life experience” to draw from.

But most of all, it will give him more time with his wife, as he explained:

“It will allow me to spend time with Robin (my beautiful wife of 34 years now) in a way that I haven’t been able to in the last 25 years…not as a wife of a celebrity, but as a loving married couple entering into - well, let’s be honest, our latter years, with new hopes and goals and experiences.”

Despite wherever Cranston’s future plans take him, he has made sure to acknowledge his supporters who helped him get where he is. “I never take my good fortune for granted,” he said. “I am blessed, and man, do I know it. I wish all of you well…and I’ll see you down the road.

What do you think about Bryan Cranston’s plans for the future? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this along to your family, friends and any “Breaking Bad” fans you know!