Bryan Cranston on life after 'Breaking Bad'

Bryan Cranston has had a slow but steady rise to stardom. Here are some of the stops along the way to "Breaking Bad's" Walter White.

Among Cranston's early roles was Doug Donovan on the ABC soap "Loving." He was on the show from 1983-1985.

Cranston made a good living in the '80s and '90s with commercials, including ads for such brands as Preparation H.

One of Cranston's most-seen commercials was a popular spot with Michael J. Fox for Lay's potato chips.

On "Seinfeld," Cranston plays dentist Tim Whatley, who converted to Judaism in one episode (for, Seinfeld believes, the jokes) and was labeled a "re-gifter" in another.

Cranston has been cast as two real-life astronauts -- Gus Grissom and Buzz Aldrin. Here, he plays Aldrin in the 1998 miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon."

In a 1998 episode of "The X-Files" called "Drive," Cranston plays a bigoted yet sympathetic driver who worried that his head would explode. Vince Gilligan, who wrote the episode, remembered Cranston when it came to casting his show "Breaking Bad."

Cranston plays a War Department colonel in "Saving Private Ryan" (1998).

Cranston's loosey-goosey portrayal of Hal, the father on "Malcolm in the Middle" (here with co-star Jane Kaczmarek), earned him three Emmy nominations.

As "Breaking Bad's" Walter White, a former chemistry teacher turned meth mogul, Cranston (with Aaron Paul, left) has won three Emmys.

With the success of "Breaking Bad," Cranston's movie career has entered a higher gear. He co-stars with Matthew McConaughey in 2011's "The Lincoln Lawyer."

Cranston is one of many stars -- including Laurence Fishburne -- in the 2011 film "Contagion."

Cranston voices Vitaly the Tiger in 2012's "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted."

In 2012's "Rock of Ages," Cranston plays a candidate for mayor. Catherine Zeta-Jones co-stars.

Cranston also plays a politician -- but one far more ruthless -- in the 2012 version of "Total Recall."

In 2012's "Drive," Cranston plays a mechanic in hock to some gangsters. Ryan Gosling, left, plays a clever driver.

"Argo" (2012) stars Cranston as a CIA officer, the boss of agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck). "Argo" won best picture at the Oscars.

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• The actor told Parade its been hard to let go of Walter White


• Cranston says Obama could learn from LBJ


• He will next appear in the film "Godzilla"

(CNN) -- It's been difficult for die-hard fans of "Breaking Bad" to let go of the main character, Walter White -- and it turns out it's not been easy for the actor who portrayed him, either.

Bryan Cranston tells Parade magazine that it's been hard letting go of the years of portraying such a rich character.

"Usually when you get a role they give you a set of circumstances: 'He can do this, but he can't do that,' " he said. "With Walter White, over the course of six years, I covered it all. I could kill someone; I could caress my baby and kiss my son on the forehead. The whole spectrum of the human experience."

The actor has taken on the role of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the Broadway production of "All the Way" and said the current president could learn a thing or two from the former leader.

"There are two things LBJ had that our current president doesn't have," Cranston told parade. "One is extensive experience in Congress. By the time he became vice president, Johnson not only knew everyone, he knew what their pet projects were. So he was ready to make deals and trades."

"The second thing is the (political) climate. In LBJ's time, politicians knew they'd have to cross the aisle: 'Our philosophies might be opposite, but I'm going to try to work with them.' And what we have now is a digging-your-heels-in: 'They are trying to hurt the country. Only our way is the right way' -- whether you're in the Republican or Democratic camp. It is so polarizing and distrustful and disrespectful."

Cranston is also moving on to blockbusters, with a part in the new film "Godzilla," slated for release in May. In it, Cranston plays a scientist. He said he had some trepidation about taking on the role.

"I initially turned it down -- I thought, 'I can't do "Godzilla" after "Breaking Bad"; that's a huge step down,' " he said. "But I was surprised at the level of the writing, and the director, Gareth Edwards, had some great ideas to strengthen the heart of the story. And why not do something that's fun and escapist? So I got down off my high horse and said, 'Yeah, let's do it.' "

For more on Cranston's Parade interview visit Parade.com.