“Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston opened up about the heartbreaking loss of his dear friend and former co-star Catherine O’Hara.
During an interview with TV son Frankie Muniz (the two starred together in the hit sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle”), Cranston revealed what he learned from working with O’Hara.
Bryan Cranston Remembers Catherine O’Hara
Cranston and O’Hara’s careers crossed paths multiple times throughout the years, including in a joint guest-starring role on “30 Rock” in 2012.
“God, I miss her dearly,” Cranston said during his joint interview with Muniz for Esquire.
“What I picked up from Catherine — from decades ago — was her ability to go all out in a comedy, and then rest and not be on,” he added. “She was not one of those who were always trying to be funny off camera. She would pace herself, and then when it was time to pick up, she’d pick up.”
Cranston — who also starred with O’Hara in 2024’s “Argylle” and Apple TV+’s “The Studio” — went on to boast of the “Home Alone” star’s collaborative spirit.
“Her willingness — she would come to me many times and say, ‘Hey, what about this? If we tried this?’ And so she was always on, and it gave me the encouragement to be able to then do the same thing to others. ‘Hey, what about we try this? What about that?’ And she was just a genius, really, but even a better human being,” he recalled.
Bryan Cranston Shares Touching Tribute
O’Hara tragically died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Her cause of death was later revealed to be a pulmonary embolism with the underlying cause listed as rectal cancer, according to TMZ.
The “Better Call Saul” star shared a touching tribute as news of O’Hara’s untimely passing began to spread.
“I am completely devastated today upon hearing of this great lady passing away. Catherine O’Hara was a genius comedic actor, and a beautiful human being,” he shared via Instagram alongside a photo of the pair as guests on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.” “I adored her. We worked together as husband and wife I think three or four times… I’ve lost count. And then again just last year as rivals on ‘The Studio.'”
Cranston continued, “Working with Catherine was like playing tennis with Venus Williams. She never let you feel it – but you just tried to volley the ball back to her, hoping that you can come close to her level of talent. She was brilliant, and joyful.
I think back on all the years where I laughed so much at what she did on screen… I have to. I need to, because now all I can do is cry. I’ll miss you. Make ‘em laugh in heaven.”
