Did you know that Giancarlo Esposito, who played Gustavo Gus Fring on Breaking Bad, was originally only supposed to be in the show for one season? Or that he actually trained as a yoga instructor before he got the role? In honor of the final season of Breaking Bad coming out this month, here are six things you didn’t know about Giancarlo Esposito. 6 Things You Didnt Know About Giancarlo Esposito
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1) He studied theatre in college
After spending two years at New York University, Esposito left when he was offered a role in Grease 2. He played a gang member named Rico, one of Dennis’s friends and co-conspirators. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Esposito said that after filming Scarface (1983), I never wanted to be an actor again. However, his mother convinced him to move to Los Angeles where she felt there were more opportunities for him. In 1984, he enrolled at UCLA as a theatre major and graduated in 1986.
2) He studied voice acting at Playhouse West
In his early twenties, Esposito briefly attended theater school at Los Angeles’ Playhouse West, where he was taught by Sanford Meisner, a revered acting teacher whose students have included Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall. At one point in his studies, a young Gus Fring went toe-to-toe with legendary actor Laurence Olivier during an acting exercise. It was life-changing, Esposito said.
3) He plays a lot of instruments
Esposito is proficient at playing percussion instruments including bongos, congas, timbales and drums. His drumming was heard on two tracks for Cypress Hill’s album . He can also play trumpet and piano.
4) He’s also appeared on Broadway
In 1977, Esposito acted in a Broadway play called Two Gentlemen of Verona. His role was with Philip Bosco and Tony Roberts. The play closed after 8 performances. He’s also appeared on Broadway: In 1977, Esposito acted in a Broadway play called Two Gentlemen of Verona. His role was with Philip Bosco and Tony Roberts. The play closed after 8 performances.
5) His daughter inspired him to become an actor
A native of Santiago, Chile, Esposito first learned about acting from watching his daughter in school plays and through her theater groups. Though he wasn’t sure at first if he wanted to pursue acting as a career, after seeing his daughter enjoy it so much, he said it lit a fire under [him] that would not go away. He studied acting at New York University’s Graduate Acting Program at The Tisch School of the Arts.
6) Breaking Bad is one of his favourite TV shows
After appearing on Breaking Bad, Esposito has since appeared in The Blacklist, Revolution and Dexter. He says that of all these shows, he’s a huge fan of Breaking Bad. They work so hard on it, he says. I think it’s one of those shows where I can sit down and watch it as a fan.
