Bryan Cranston is one of the most respected and well-known actors in the film industry. Though he has starred in many different projects that showcase his abilities as an actor, with Malcolm in the Middle, Your Honor, Drive, being some examples, none have stood as well as his work in the critically acclaimed and highly admired television series, Breaking Bad. Featuring one of the most well-written storylines and some of the most fleshed-out characters, the work can be regarded as his magnum opus.
With Walter White being one of the most iconic personalities in television history, one tends to wonder what could have led to the inspiration and creation of this character. Cranston gave insight into this exact question.
Who Inspired Bryan Cranston’s Walter White?
It is quite common for iconic characters to have been inspired by pre-existing characters, be it specific traits that someone wanted to explore more in the form of one person, or the general vibe or characteristic that would fit perfectly somewhere else. This seemed to have been the case for Bryan Cranston’s Walter White.
“I’m saddened by James Gandolfini’s passing. He was a great talent & I owe him. Quite simply, without Tony Soprano there is no Walter White.” said on Twitter
James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano is an incredibly unforgettable character from the crime drama series, The Sopranos. After the unfortunate passing of Gandolfini, Cranston took to Twitter to express sorrow over the news. He talked about how unfortunate it was to lose someone as talented as the actor. He then added that his character in Breaking Bad would not have been possible it it had not been for Gandolfini’s in The Sopranos.
What Are The Similarities Between Walter White And Tony Soprano?
Both Walter White and Tony Soprano are arguably two of the most iconic anti-heroes in television. Even though they come from very different backgrounds and worlds, the two characters share quite a lot of traits that make them stand out from others. Both are criminal masterminds, while also being dedicated to their families and doing anything to ensure their safety, including occasionally committing murder.
This need to protect those whom they care about slowly turns into a hunger for power that makes them do very morally conflicting things. Despite this, it is quite hard to not root for these characters as they are portrayed in a flawed manner, which makes them all the more relatable, even though the setting is anything but realistic.
Source: Twitter