Joseph Cranston (producer)

Joseph Louis Cranston was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Alice Rose (née Bower) and Edward Bernard Cranston Sr. He has an older brother, Edward Jr. (1923–2009), and a younger sister Marguerite (1928–1991). They have an older half-sister named Kathleen (1913–1930) from their father's first marriage.

Cranston began his career as a television actor on several programs, including Space Patrol and Dragnet. Cranston's first appearance as an actor on film was an uncredited role in the film Beginning of the End in 1957.

On March 9, 1971, Cranston formed Joseph Cranston Productions, Inc.,[2] which was responsible for presenting the 7th Annual Academy of Country and Western Music Awards in 1972.[3][4]

Cranston married his first wife, Angela Jeraldine Gordon-Forbes in 1946 and they divorced in 1951. Cranston married his second wife, actress Peggy Sell in 1952. They had three children, including actors Kyle Cranston, who was born in June 1953 and Bryan Cranston, who was born in March 1956.

In 1968, after having trouble keeping steady work, Cranston temporarily left show business, a decision that caused a severe break in his family's home life.[5] This led to him separating from his second wife, Peggy Sell and leaving his two sons, Bryan and Kyle and his daughter, Amy, who were forced to live with their grandparents for some time.[6] Cranston would not reconnect with his sons and daughter until 10 years later.[7][8]

Cranston married his third wife, Anita Cynthia Stickney in 1971 until her death in 1997.

Cranston had Irish heritage and was named after his great-grandfather, Joseph Cranston.[9]

• Joseph Cranston at IMDb