The Pitt's Taylor Dearden reacted with training from the show during real-life medical emergency


The Dr. Melissa "Mel" King actress was on vacation with parents Bryan Cranston and Robin Dearden when a man began choking next to them


Taylor Dearden as Dr Mel King (Warrick Page/MAX)© Warrick Page/MAX
Beatriz Colon
Beatriz ColonNew York Writer - New York
4 days ago
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The Pitt may be detailed in its representation of a trauma center, but its medical training for its staff can only take them so far.

Taylor Dearden learned as much during a recent vacation, when she couldn't help but spring into action when a fellow diner at a restaurant found themselves in a real-life medical emergency.

However, when it came time to help, the American Vandal actress quickly remembered she isn't in fact a doctor.

Taylor Dearden on the phone in a still from The Pitt
Taylor stars as fan-favorite Mel on The Pitt

Taylor, speaking during a TODAY appearance earlier this week, revealed she was on vacation with her fellow actor father Bryan Cranston, and "there was a man choking in the restaurant we were in," so she rushed to help.

"It's also very much an ADHD thing to be very good in emergencies," she noted, before revealing: "But we end up running towards it and not really knowing why we're there now."

"There was a man choking, and I just sprinted towards him. I just kind of stood there like this and I had nothing to do. He was fine, but it was close, so close. I just stood waiting for my line that never came," Taylor further shared.

Bryan Cranston (C) and wife Robin Dearden (R) and their daughter Taylor Cranston attend the premiere of AMC & Sony Pictures Television's "Breaking Bad" Season 2 in 2009© Getty Images
The actress with her parents Robin and Bryan in 2009

Bryan, who shares Taylor, 33, with wife Robin Dearden, also shared the story during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert earlier in the week, remembering how his daughter was "running toward him and just as she's getting to him, he caught his breath and started breathing."

"He was OK, and she told him, 'Just take your time, take it slow.' And we're going, 'Oh my God, we finally have a doctor in the family!'" he added.

In The Pitt, which airs its season two finale April 16 and which has also been renewed for a third season, Taylor stars as Dr. Melissa "Mel" King, opposite Noah Wyle, Isa Briones, Katherine LaNasa, Patrick Ball, and Fiona Dourif, among others.

Patrick Ball, Shawn Hatosy, Supriya Ganesh, Sepideh Moafi, Katherine LaNasa, Noah Wyle, Shabana Azeez, Taylor Dearden and Gerran Howell attend the Rape Treatment Center and Stuart House Annual Brunch © Getty Images
With her The Pitt cast

Bryan, who this month was promoting the Malcolm in the Middle reboot Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair, recently also gushed not only about his daughter's quick instincts but also her work as an actress.

Bryan Cranston and Robin Dearden attend The Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard at the Royal Albert Hall on April 12, 2026 in London, England© WireImage
Robin and Bryan in April 2026

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, he said: "Anytime your child is praised for anything, even a little moment of kindness, it just lifts a parent up. And she's so good! On a great show."

He is also confident that she doesn't need any tips from him despite his decades in the industry, maintaining: "I like to stay her dad," when asked whether they ever exchange notes over their work.

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