Life Bryan Cranston defends playing disabled character in ‘The Upside’ as a ‘business decision’ January 8, 2019 Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY Comments Off on Bryan Cranston defends playing disabled character in ‘The Upside’ as a ‘business decision’ Bryan Cranston takes on the role of a quadriplegic billionaire in "The Upside." The casting of an able-bodied person for the role sparked backlash.