Hollywood star Giancarlo Esposito is famously known and recognized for his character Gustavo Fring, the main antagonist in the blockbuster series Breaking Bad starring Bryan Cranston. Esposito also reprised his role in the series’ prequel Better Call Saul. His impressive performance in Breaking Bad won him a Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Having been active for many years in Hollywood, Esposito is regarded as one of the veterans of the industry having played significant roles in shows like The Mandalorian, New Amsterdam and Law and Order. The star is now using his power and position to support the writers who have gone on strike in Hollywood by standing together with his fellow actors in the ongoing Actors Strike.
Giancarlo Esposito Lends His Support To The Actors Strike
The Writers Strike in Hollywood has gained enough momentum for the Hollywood acting fraternity to stand by them in their effort to get better pay. In the first time in over 60 years, Hollywood stars have simultaneously gone on the warpath to demand justice for the writing and acting community for their commitment to the arts. The strike has gained publicity owing to the presence and influence of many A-listers who have walked the streets of LA to make their voices heard. Among them is Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito who has firmly backed the revolution. Reminiscing about the early days and why it was important to respect artists, Esposito said in an Instagram post,
“I remember when work was sparse, I could go to the mail box and count on a residual check to be there and pull me through. Compensation for the hard work I had already rendered and its reuse. Those days are long past. I think about all the hand to mouth days that had me realize I am a lifer for the love of our craft. We deserve better! I stand with SAG-AFTRA and WGA. STAND STRONG!”
Esposito was hopeful that with the Hollywood acting fraternity strongly backing the writing community in their fight, justice will prevail sooner rather than later.
How Giancarlo Esposito Brought Gustavo Fring to Life
One of television’s most terrifying characters would be Gustavo Fring of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, the drug kingpin who masquerades as a fried chicken restaurant chain owner to hide his illegal deeds. Fring’s brutal and chilling persona was brought to life perfectly by Giancarlo Esposito. Along with Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, Esposito internalized the character and used innovative techniques to make him more nuanced and believable. Recalling how he started with finding the right voice, Esposito said,
I realized something about myself, that’s probably true for many others, that we’re uncomfortable with space so we fill it with a laugh, or whatever it is. I decided not to do that with Gus, and to fill that awkward space with a breath and an investigation. So I used that every day on the set, and my life changed.”
Esposito also embraced meditation and yoga, regularly practicing both on the set of Breaking Bad which helped him stay grounded with the stillness that defined the character.
Source: Instagram
