Current:Home > MyWhy Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito Once Contemplated Arranging His Own Murder-LoTradeCoin
Why Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito Once Contemplated Arranging His Own Murder
View Date:2025-01-12 21:49:39
Before a high school teacher turned to meth dealing on TV for extra cash, Giancarlo Esposito considered a much more drastic approach.
The Breaking Bad alum recently shared that prior to scoring his role as Gus Fring on the hit AMC show, and after filing for bankruptcy in 2008, he felt so desperate for cash that he considered arranging his own murder.
"My way out in my brain was: ‘Hey, do you get life insurance if someone commits suicide? Do they get the bread?'" Giancarlo explained on an April 12 episode of Sirius XM's Jim and Sam Show. "My wife had no idea why I was asking this stuff. I started scheming."
As he considered his children's livelihoods he thought, "‘If I got somebody to knock me off—death through misadventure—they would get the insurance.' I had four kids. I wanted them to have a life. It was a hard time in life. I literally thought of self-annihilation so that they could survive. That's how low I was."
Thankfully, the Do the Right Thing star—who shares daughters Shayne, Ruby, Kale and Syrlucia, all now in their 20s, with ex-wife Joy McManigal—didn't consider this proposal for long.
"That was the first inkling to me that there was a way out, but I wouldn't be here to be available to it, or be there for my kids," he added, postulating what would be gained from his passing. "I started to think, ‘That's not viable,' because of the pain I would cause them, and it would be lifelong—and lifelong trauma that would just extend the generational trauma which I'm trying to move away from."
Luckily, Giancarlo's golden opportunity was just around the corner. Breaking Bad premiered in 2008, and Giancarlo signed on in the series' second season a year later to play the antagonist drug lord. His work in the series—as well as its spinoff Better Call Saul—earned him buzz during award seasons, including several Emmy nominations, and a win for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 2012 Critics' Choice TV Awards.
And since Breaking Bad wrapped in 2013, he's stayed booked and busy—moving onto roles in The Mandalorian and Parish.
As he put it, "The light at the end of the tunnel was Breaking Bad."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (9931)
Related
- College Football Playoff ranking release: Army, Georgia lead winners and losers
- In new movie 'Monkey Man,' Dev Patel got physical. He has the broken bones to prove it.
- No contaminants detected in water after Baltimore bridge collapse, authorities say
- Why Heather Rae El Moussa Says Filming Selling Sunset Was “Very Toxic”
- Pennsylvania House Republicans pick new floor leader after failing to regain majority
- Victoria Justice Shares Coachella Essentials and Plans for New Music
- Lawyer for sex abuse victims says warning others about chaplain didn’t violate secrecy order
- Former candidate for Maryland governor fined over campaign material
- What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
- Rangers-Devils game starts with wild line brawl, eight ejections and a Matt Rempe fight
Ranking
- Why Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams May Be Rejoining the George R.R. Martin Universe
- Ole Miss women's basketball adds former Syracuse coach who resigned after investigation
- Lawyer for sex abuse victims says warning others about chaplain didn’t violate secrecy order
- Mayoral candidate shot dead in street just as she began campaigning in Mexico
- DWTS' Sasha Farber Claps Back at Diss From Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader
- Should you itemize or take a standard deduction on your tax return? Here’s what to know
- 'Call Her Daddy' star Alex Cooper joins NBC's 2024 Paris Olympics coverage
- K-9 killed protecting officer and inmate who was attacked by prisoners, Virginia officials say
Recommendation
-
School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse
-
'We do not know how to cope': Earth spinning slower may prompt negative leap second
-
NASA probes whether object that crashed into Florida home came from space station
-
Ford to delay production of new electric pickup and large SUV as US EV sales growth slows
-
Georgia House Republicans stick with leadership team for the next two years
-
The Best Tinted Sunscreens for All Skin Types, Get a Boost of Color & Protect Your Skin All at Once
-
Mother of Justin Combs shares footage of raid at Diddy's home, denounces militarized force
-
South Korean computer chipmaker plans $3.87 billion Indiana semiconductor plant and research center