Bryan Cranston’s life between New York and Los Angeles

Cranston was born in Los Angeles to actor parents but initially considered a different path. He studied police science in college, thinking it offered a more stable career after seeing his parents’ rocky relationship with the entertainment industry. An acting elective changed his mind. After two decades of work in commercials, dubbing and soap operas, a role on “Seinfeld” helped lead to parts in “Malcolm in the Middle” and “Breaking Bad.”

Three years after “Breaking Bad” ended, Cranston and costar Aaron Paul ran into each other in New York. They decided it was too soon to reunite onscreen, since audiences might associate them with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. Instead, they discussed starting a business. Paul suggested mezcal; Cranston initially objected, saying they knew nothing about it. After a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, to find a spirit they both liked, they launched Dos Hombres, now in its seventh year on the market. The company has also expanded into tequila.

Cranston usually wakes between 6:30 and 7 a.m. after aiming for eight hours of sleep. Coffee comes first: he makes espresso for himself and a cappuccino for Robin. He then walks the dog and works out, preferring to exercise before work makes it harder to switch gears. Breakfast varies from fasting until afternoon to cottage cheese, blueberries and nuts; on weekends, he and Robin share an everything bagel with lox and the usual toppings. He listens to NPR and reads The New York Times, saying network news is too much for his psyche.

His workday has no fixed pattern. He is moving away from developing television and film projects to focus more on acting and writing, while continuing with shows he created. He belongs to the 17-member Character Actors Dining Society, or CADS, whose members share stories at dinners and have written a book, “Nights at a Round Table,” due in February. He is also preparing for a Broadway play next spring and negotiating several projects. Lunch depends on the schedule; when he gets one, he often chooses salad with salmon or chicken, though he finds good macaroni and cheese hard to resist.

Since having COVID-19, Cranston has made a 20- to 40-minute afternoon nap part of his routine. He takes another dog walk afterward, often listening to audiobooks, and reviews acting offers and researches roles. For Griffin Mill, his character in “The Studio,” he drew inspiration from former Paramount chief Robert Evans and changed his appearance with a deep tan, bleached teeth and darkened hair.

Evenings vary by city. In New York, Cranston and Robin eat out at least five times a week, often at Gallagher’s, and go to plays, museums or movies. In Los Angeles, they dine out about twice a week and prefer staying home; they like Mistral, and Cranston watches the Dodgers when they play. He says he handles the cleaning as part of their shared household chores. The couple may end the night with a walk, a film, a series, reading, music or cards. Cranston aims to be in bed around 9:30 p.m., usually reading before he falls asleep.