Image via Complex Original
There are just six days until AMC's Breaking Bad returns. From now until August 11 at 9 p.m., it's Breaking Bad Week at Complex Pop Culture, and we'll have a different BB-related feature each day.
We kick things off with a look at the incredible cast of Vince Gilligan's black-hearted drama. His show, about the long fall of a man living a regular-type life in Albuquerque, New Mexico, wouldn't work if not for the performances of the main cast, which includes Bryan Cranston as Walter White, Anna Gunn as Skylar White, Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, RJ Mitte as Walter Jr., and Dean Norris as Hank Schrader. Most of these actors have taken long, winding paths to their roles on the Emmy award-winning series. These facts illuminate the way.
Check out 30 Things You Didn't Know About the Cast of Breaking Bad and look out for the rest of our coverage coming later this week.
RELATED: The 50 Best TV Dramas of All Time
RELATED: The 50 Best TV Comedies of All Time
RELATED: The 50 Most Disturbing Movies
At the age of 16, Bryan Cranston entered a program for youth who wanted to join law enforcement. He ranked as number one from the group of one hundred or so students.
[via]
Bryan Cranston was an ordained minister in college, a part-time job that he took on while earning a degree in police science from Los Angeles Valley College.
[via]
As young men, Bryan Cranston and his brother spent two years exploring the United States on motorcycles.
[via]
Bryan Cranston wrote a romantic drama film for his wife's birthday. A couple of years later, he went on to actually produce, shoot, and edit the film with the help of his friends.
[via]
Like any good mentor, Bryan Cranston wrote recommendation letters for Erik Per Sullivan's college applications. Sullivan played Cranston's son in the TV series Malcolm in the Middle.
[via]
During the sex scene between Bryan Cranston and Julia Roberts in the movie Larry Crowne (2011), Cranston was fully naked except for a "cock sock" and Roberts was almost fully clothed. And no, he did not have an erection.
[via]
Bryan Cranston's father was an alcoholic who ran out on his family. Cranston didn't see his dad between the ages of 10 and 22.
[via]
When he was 25, Bryan Cranston almost had the opportunity of having a threesome with a cellist and her girlfriend. Unfortunately for him, they decided against it at the last minute. He has never had a threesome.
[via]
Bryan Cranston lost his virginity to a prostitute at the age of sixteen while on an educational trip to Europe.
[via]
Bryan Cranston was 23 when he first got married. It didn't last. However, his second marriage has been the "real deal."
[via]
Aaron Paul's father was a Baptist minister. One of his first acting roles was as Baby Jesus in one of the church plays.
[via]
Aaron Paul filmed himself drunk in bars in order to prepare for his role in Breaking Bad. The goal was to play intoxication with originality and sincerity.
[via]
Aaron Paul's first job in L.A. was as an usher at the Universal CityWalk theater. He once took Steven Spielberg's ticket.
[via]
On the last day of shooting Breaking Bad's series finale, Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston each got Breaking Bad-themed tattoos, along with 20-30 other crew members.
[via]
The theme of Aaron Paul's wedding earlier this year was—get ready for it—1920s Parisian Carnivale.
[via]
Anna Gunn once saved a donkey's life. The donkey's head was stuck in a gate and Anna helped the donkey free itself.
[via]
RJ Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was only 3 years old. Fortunately, he has a mild case of the condition.
[via]
Dean Norris was the valedictorian of his high school class but was not allowed to give the graduation speech because he refused to wear a shirt with a formal collar.
[via]
Dean Norris is a Harvard University graduate.
[via]
Jonathan Banks' mother worked for the CIA as an office manager in the 1950s and '60s. She taught women how to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace.
[via]
Betsy Brandt was pregnant during season 2 of Breaking Bad. The close-up shots of Skyler White's pregnant belly on the show were actually of Betsy's.
[via]
