Emmy-winning veteran actor Bryan Cranston has been in show business for a long time, but he wasn’t above feeling starstruck when he learned Anthony Hopkins was such a big fan. It’s previously been revealed that when Hopkins finished watching Breaking Bad, he sent Cranston a letter praising him for his unforgettable performance as protagonist Walter White. In a new interview with People, Cranston remembered getting the letter and shared how it led to later meeting with Hopkins for lunch, where it took some restraint not to go into fanboy mode.

“He just loved Breaking Bad and thought it was phenomenal, and I was so touched by it,” Cranston explained.

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The actor also remembers how he made plans to meet with Hopkins after receiving the letter. Cranston invited the show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, to come along to their lunch. For Cranston, he remembers feeling like he had to hold back on being a “fanboy” during that meeting, but it was nevertheless very exciting.

“You try not to be starstruck and you also don’t want to be a fanboy and say, ‘And then what about this movie? And then what about that movie?’” Cranston explains. “You want to be able to have a decent conversation. So it’s kind of nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time.”

Walter White Remains One of TV’s Most Memorable Characters of All Time

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Breaking Bad ended in 2013, but the Walter White character remains very popular. Cranston continues to play the role on occasion, having made multiple appearances in the final season of Better Call Saul last year. He is also set to return to the role for a Super Bowl ad promoting PopCorners. That follows a prior Super Bowl ad where he appeared as Walter White for Esurance. Fans are also trying to get him included in the multiplayer fighting video game MultiVersus.

Meanwhile, Cranston is impressing critics once again with his role in the Showtime series Your Honor. The show was developed as a limited series without plans to do any seasons beyond season 1. However, it drew such high viewership and acclaim that Showtime wound up bringing Cranston back for a second and final season to extend the story. In the show, Cranston plays a judge whose son inadvertently kills the son of a dangerous mob boss.

Your Honor premieres its second season on Jan. 15 on Showtime. You can watch a trailer for the second season below.