Bryan Cranston Still Checks In on his ‘Malcom in the Middle’ Son Frankie Muniz

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As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for reminiscing about the golden age of television comedy, I must say that Bryan Cranston‘s portrayal of Hal Wilkerson on “Malcolm in the Middle” was nothing short of brilliant. Having grown up with this iconic show, I can vividly recall the impact it had on my formative years and how the characters resonated within me.

Frankie Muniz shares that Bryan Cranston, his TV father from the popular show “Malcolm in the Middle,” remains connected with him even today. Over seven seasons, they played a father-son duo on this beloved series (2000-2006). More recently, Muniz, who has been signed as a racer for NASCAR’s 2025 Craftsman Truck Series season, warmly discussed his cherished “Malcolm” co-star during the “Inside of You” podcast with Michael Rosenbaum. Muniz described Cranston as “incredible.

Every few weeks, he gets in touch with me and asks how things are going. He’s genuinely interested in my life. He even attends my races and band performances. Honestly, he serves as a role model. My goal is to be just like him for someone else down the line.

Currently, Muniz occasionally acts, but today, he’s deeply passionate about racing. On the other hand, the “Malcolm in the Middle” star, Cranston, has achieved A-list status in Hollywood due to his unforgettable roles since their dark TV comedy. These include “Breaking Bad,” “Godzilla” (2014), and “Your Honor.” In the same interview, Muniz spoke highly of his friend and co-star Cranston.

I began collaborating with him when I was 11 or 12 years old. Over time, he took on a role similar to that of a father figure for me. To this very day, he’s achieved such a high status in Hollywood, it’s almost like deifying him. He’s created remarkable films and series, garnering numerous awards.

Bryan Cranston Reminisces About ‘Malcolm in the Middle’

Bryan Cranston is often remembered as Walter White from “Breaking Bad” by many fans, yet others admire his side-splitting role as dentist Tim Whatley on “Seinfeld”. Nevertheless, between these iconic series, Cranston played Hal Wilkerson for seven seasons on “Malcolm in the Middle”. Interestingly, when it came to shaping Malcolm’s (Muniz) father character, the Academy Award-nominated and Emmy award-winning actor himself revealed (as stated by GQ):

In this situation, Hal should not try to rival Lois’ bombastic and aggressive nature. Instead, consider what qualities would complement her. Perhaps, Hal could embody the opposite traits: subtlety, softness, sweetness, and quietness. Since Lois appears fearless, Hal might be seen as timid in comparison.

Instead of expressing fear for everything, I’ve found myself creating a character who embodies this feeling. As I write, I find myself saying, “Ah, there’s a piece of me in him.” I allow all these emotions to dwell within this character. Lastly, I wanted to clarify that Hal is not apathetic towards his family. Instead, he’s preoccupied by other matters.

It’s clear that the acting style of the actor, Bryan Cranston, was spot-on as Hal’s portrayal became one of his most iconic performances ever. Just like Ed O’Neill was perfect for Al Bundy on Married… with Children, and only John Larroquette could have played Dan Fielding on Night Court, the same sentiment applies to how Cranston masterfully portrayed Malcolm in the Middle’s family patriarch.

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2024-11-30 20:32