“I have dyslexia”: Bryan Cranston Went Ballistic on Breaking Bad Co-Star Who Couldn’t Memorize His Lines

SUMMARY

• Bryan Cranston lost his cool with co-star Larry Hankin over line mistakes during a crucial scene.
• Hankin’s dyslexia made memorizing lines difficult, adding stress to his performance and Cranston’s frustration.
• Director Michael Slovis helped Hankin regain confidence, ensuring the scene was completed successfully despite the challenges.

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Bryan Cranston may have been the mastermind Heisenberg on Breaking Bad, but off-screen, he wasn’t about to let anyone slack. During filming, Cranston reportedly lost his cool on a co-star who just couldn’t get their lines right. In a show as sharp and intense as Breaking Bad, there’s no room for fumbling—and Cranston wasn’t having it. The actor’s explosive reaction wasn’t just about perfectionism, it was about protecting the flow and energy of the scene. 

Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad Season 5, Episode 16 | Credit: Sony Television

When the stakes are sky-high, even the smallest slip-up can derail the moment. So yeah, Heisenberg came out swinging to make sure the show stayed as epic as ever. And honestly, are we even surprised? Cranston’s the danger, after all.

Bryan Cranston’s Off-Screen Intensity: The Real Story Behind a Tense Breaking Bad Moment

Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad | Credit: Sony Television

Bryan Cranston’s on-screen intensity as Walter White in Breaking Bad’s well-known, but that same intensity showed up behind the scenes too. Larry Hankin, who portrayed junkyard owner Old Joe, recently shared a story about how Cranston lost his cool with him for forgetting lines during a pivotal scene in season 5.

Hankin, a familiar face from Seinfeld and Friends, talked about his experience while filming the magnet scene, where Old Joe assists Walt and Jesse in a creative escape plan. Due to his dyslexia, Hankin struggled to memorize his lines, which led to repeated mistakes during the shoot. After a second slip-up, Cranston became frustrated, urging Hankin to get it together, which only added to the pressure. Larry Hankin alluded,

I’d done one episode of Breaking Bad already, but I came back for a second one. I loved playing Old Joe. […] The second one was where I sold them the magnet. I was explaining the magnet to them in the junkyard, and I just kept going up on my lines. I have dyslexia, so it’s not easy for me to memorize scripts.

Feeling overwhelmed, the actor sought reassurance from director Michael Slovis, who calmed him down, reminding him that mistakes happen and emphasizing the need to wrap up the scene before they lost daylight. This confidence boost helped Hankin finish the scene smoothly.

Hankin acknowledged that Cranston’s deeply serious about his craft, while he took a more relaxed approach to acting. He also shared that his struggles with dyslexia have been ongoing throughout his career, even affecting his work on El Camino, where Vince Gilligan had to give him extra time to nail his lines. Reflecting on his experience, Hankin joked that this might be why he wasn’t invited to appear in Better Call Saul.

Seinfeld Sparks: Cranston and Louis-Dreyfus Reignite Chemistry with Emmy Kiss

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine) and Bryant Cranston (Tim) on Seinfeld | Credits: Castle Rock Entertainment

At the 2014 Emmy Awards, Seinfeld fans got a blast from the past when Bryan Cranston and Julia Louis-Dreyfus took the stage together. Cranston, who played the charming dentist Tim Whatley, reminded Louis-Dreyfus of their Seinfeld kiss while she jokingly “forgot” his role as her on-screen fling. 

Moments later, after Louis-Dreyfus won the Emmy for Veep, Cranston ran up and gave her a long, playful kiss – a nod to their Seinfeld days. Jimmy Fallon, presenting the award, humorously stepped in to break up the steamy smooch. The unexpected moment had the crowd roaring and became one of the night’s highlights, blending nostalgic Seinfeld chemistry with Veep’s big win.

Breaking Bad is available to watch on Apple TV. 

Written by Heena Singh

Articles Published: 293

Heena Singh is a writer at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.