Mickey Middleton: The First Wife of Bryan Cranston and So Much More

You probably know Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad or Malcolm in the Middle. He’s one of the biggest actors in Hollywood. But long before the awards and fame, there was someone special in his life — Mickey Middleton.

Mickey was Bryan Cranston’s first wife. But her story doesn’t end there. She’s not just “the ex-wife of a star.” She’s a writer, a teacher, and a woman who created her own life after their marriage ended.

In this article, we’ll share Mickey Middleton’s full journey — her childhood, dreams, marriage to Cranston, and the life she built afterward. You’ll see how inspiring her story really is.

Mickey Middleton Quick Bio

Mickey Middleton’s Early Life and Family

Mickey Middleton was born in 1945 in Daytona Beach, Florida. She grew up in a kind and caring family. Her parents were Mary S. Middleton and Dr. Wilbur A. Middleton.

Her father, Dr. Wilbur, was a World War II helicopter pilot and a brave combat veteran. After the war, he used the GI Bill to study and later earned a Ph.D. in Continuing Education. He retired from the military in 1971. Mickey’s mom, Mary, lived a long and happy life before passing away in 2018.

From a young age, Mickey loved music, books, and storytelling. She enjoyed school plays and writing little stories. Her dad once read one of her early novels and told her how great it was. That moment gave her the confidence to believe she could become a real writer.

How Mickey Middleton Became Interested in Acting

As a child and teen, Mickey was drawn to the stage. She enjoyed singing and performing in plays. She had a big imagination and loved entertaining people.

She didn’t just want to be a teacher or writer—she wanted to try acting, too. Mickey dreamed of being on stage or maybe even on TV one day. Like many young people in the 60s and 70s, she had hopes of making it big in Hollywood.

That creative spirit stayed with her for years. It became a big part of her story and helped her later in both teaching and writing.

Moving to Hollywood and Chasing Dreams

In her early adult life, Mickey took a bold step. She moved to West Hollywood, California, to chase her dreams. She wanted to act, sing, and write—and California was the place to do it.

She worked hard, joined theater groups, and even became a member of AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). That meant she was serious about her creative path.

Although she never became a big-name actress, the experience taught her a lot. And while in California, she crossed paths with someone who would change her life—Bryan Cranston.

How Mickey Middleton Met Bryan Cranston

Mickey met Bryan Cranston at the Daytona Playhouse, a small local theater in Florida. They were both young, creative, and full of dreams. Spending time together during rehearsals brought them closer.

In his book A Life in Parts, Bryan wrote that their relationship just “happened.” He looked around one day and realized, “Oh, Mickey’s my girlfriend.” It felt easy and natural at the time.

While Mickey was already thinking about love and maybe settling down, Bryan was still focused on acting and building his career. But they shared big dreams, and when his time in Florida ended, Mickey surprised him by saying she wanted to move to Los Angeles with him. And she did.

Marriage to Bryan Cranston: A Short Love Story

Mickey and Bryan got married in November 1977 at her parents’ home in Prescott, Arizona. At that time, Bryan was 23 years old, and Mickey was a few years older.

Mickey was ready for a peaceful life — a house, a family, and maybe joining a church choir. Bryan, on the other hand, was still chasing his big break in Hollywood.

In his memoir, Bryan admitted something important. He said he didn’t really want to get married but didn’t know how to say no. So they went ahead with the wedding anyway.

They moved into a small two-bedroom apartment in Van Nuys, California, and tried to make things work. But deep down, they wanted different things.

Why Mickey Middleton and Bryan Cranston Got Divorced

By 1982, after five years of marriage, Mickey and Bryan decided to separate. It wasn’t a messy or angry breakup. In fact, it was a peaceful one.

They realized they cared about each other, but they weren’t in love anymore. Mickey was looking for stability and family life. Bryan was focused on acting and didn’t feel ready for that kind of life.

There were no children from the marriage. But both of them took something from the relationship — lessons about love, life, and growing up. Bryan later found lasting love with actress Robin Dearden, whom he married in 1989.

Life After Divorce: Mickey Middleton’s Second Chance at Love

Mickey didn’t give up on love. Just six months after her divorce, she married a man named Steve. Together, they had two children — a son named Stephen Newman (born in 1986), and a daughter named Katie Newman.

That marriage also ended in divorce later on. But Mickey stayed strong and focused on raising her kids and building a good life.

In January 2022, she found love again and married John Lane. She shared sweet wedding photos on her Facebook page, smiling and showing off her wedding ring. In her posts, you can feel her happiness and peace with her new chapter.

Mickey Middleton’s Teaching Career

After her second marriage, Mickey Middleton focused on something close to her heart — teaching. She went back to school and earned a degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University. She also got certified in Music (K–12) and Ethnomusicology.

Mickey became a public school teacher and taught in many places, including military bases across the U.S. She worked in Oklahoma, Alabama, Kansas, and more. She loved helping children learn and grow.

She didn’t just teach — she created fun and smart ways to help students read better. Mickey became a Master Class instructor with Renaissance Learning Systems. She built sing-along programs and used music to make reading easier for young learners. She also won awards, like the Florida Humanities Council’s Teacher Award, for her creative teaching work.

Mickey Middleton as a Writer

In 2018, Mickey Middleton retired from teaching. But she didn’t slow down. Instead, she went back to her first love — writing.

Mickey writes under three names: Mickey Middleton, M.M. Busby, and Mickey MorningGlory. She uses these names to explore different writing styles and stories.

She has written children’s books, mystery novels, musicals, and even training manuals. Some of her most known books include The Beautiful One, Egg Hide Homicide, The Tainted Teacup, and Heart Burn Holiday. Her stories often share real feelings, life lessons, and bits of humor.

Her father, Dr. Wilbur, helped her feel confident as a writer. He once read her early draft of Backtrack: The Scout’s Story and praised it so much that she decided to publish it. That memory stayed with her.

What Mickey Middleton Is Doing Now (2025)

So where is Mickey Middleton today? In 2025, she lives in Mesa, Arizona, with her husband John Lane, whom she married in January 2022. They share a quiet and happy life together.

Mickey often posts sweet moments on her Facebook page. She shares family memories, birthdays, and words of love for her children and husband. Her life is full of kindness and gratitude.

She is also still active in the writing world. Mickey is a proud member of groups like Sisters in Crime, NAIWE (National Association of Independent Writers and Editors), and American Copy Editors. She keeps learning, writing, and inspiring others — even in her 80s.

Mickey Middleton’s Net Worth and Career Success

Even though she never chased fame, Mickey Middleton has built a life filled with meaning. Her net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.

She earned this through her long career in teaching, her many books, and her time as a technical writer and training specialist. She once worked for companies like Keller Williams Realty, NantHealth, and iSirona.

Mickey also wrote for TV at one point, contributing to the popular show Roseanne. Her work across education, media, and publishing shows how versatile and talented she really is.

Final Thoughts

When people hear the name Mickey Middleton, they often think of Bryan Cranston’s first wife. But now, you know there’s so much more to her story.

She started as a girl with big dreams in Florida. She tried acting, found love, faced heartbreak, and then built her own success. She became a teacher, a mother, a writer, and a woman who keeps growing no matter her age.

Today, Mickey Middleton is a joyful, kind, and creative woman. Her life reminds us that even after a tough start, we can always choose a new path. Her journey is full of love, second chances, and finding your true self — even if it takes time.

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