A color cathode ray tube including an electron gun having a cathode structure (20) arrayed in line with a cup-shaped first grid electrode (16). Each cathode structure (20C, 20S x 2) is melted and fixed on a cathode support (15) in an electrically insulated state by hermetic glass (22). The cup-shaped first grid electrode (16) houses and fixes therein the cathode support (15) having the cathode structure fixed with the glass. The first grid electrode and the cathode support are welded on the axis where the cathode structure is arrayed. The cathode support (15) and the first grid electrode (16) are welded on the in-line axis so that the thermal deformation of the cathode support can be homogenized at the center portion and at the side portions. As a result, the cathode currents are equalized at the center and at the sides at the time of starting the color cathode ray tube to keep a good color balance on the screen.
