While known primarily early in his career for comedic roles such as Dr. Tim Watley on Seinfeld (who converted to Judaism just for the jokes), or patriarch to the mayhem on Malcolm In The Middle as the simpleton Hal, the off-screen bearded Bryan Cranston will forever be remembered as Breaking Bad‘s Walter White. With four straight Emmy victories portraying the high school teacher-turned-drug kingpin, Cranston transformed himself both within the role from desperate family man to irredeemable sociopath, but also from an affable “oh, THAT guy” character actor to one of the most dynamic actors on either the small or the big screen. And if there is any kind of lesson to be learned from Cranston’s portrayal of Walter White, it’s that decisive and ruthless action must be taken to both preserve and claim what is rightfully yours.