Giancarlo Esposito Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ
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- čas přidán 19. 05. 2024
- Giancarlo Esposito breaks down his most iconic characters, including his roles in 'The Mandalorian,' 'Breaking Bad,' 'The Boys,' 'Better Call Saul,' 'Do the Right Thing,' 'Godfather of Harlem' and 'Kaleidoscope.'
Director: Chris Smith
Producer: Arielle Neblett
Associate Producer: Camille Ramos
Director of Photography: Brad Wickham
Cam Op: Jake Robbins
Audio: Sean Paulsen
Production Assistant: Shenelle Jones
Production Manager: James Pipitone
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Coordinator: Jamal Colvin
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Associate Director of Post: Jarrod Bruner
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Editors: Matt Braunsdorf
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
Senior Talent Manager: Meredith Judkins
Talent Manager: Mica Medoff
Talent: Giancarlo Esposito
00:00 Giancarlo Esposito's Most Iconic Roles
00:30 The Mandalorian
03:57 Breaking Bad
08:47 The Boys
11:51 Better Call Saul
15:37 Do the Right Thing
20:04 Godfather of Harlem
23:42 Kaleidoscope
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I have never seen a man who could look and act so mesmerizing yet terrifying at the same time. He gives his roles such a classy yet mysterious nuance. Love him.
It's like says, the less he does the more terrifying his character is. Also, like many of the best villains, he seems to be genuinely nice and friendly in real life.
Yes this guy is one of my favorite actors
One of my favorite moments of all time was having my Jordan’s Agnes by this man . Nicest Person ever
@@Elwaves2925 He's very nice in real life. He shows up to a lot of conventions and takes the time to talk to his fans
@@alexbrettw That's the impression I've got, everyone always says good things about him.
This dude needs to be talked about more, he is one the best actors working today.
I agree. I remember the first time I really noticed him, which was The Usual Suspects. It was a supporting role but he definitely stood out to me. He's only got better since then.
Idk I feel like he gets talked about a lot. He's gotta be like top 3 actors who gets fancast in everything.
Literally one of the most popular working actors
He's good but ever since BB he's mostly been typecast as Gus over and over.
@@Hysteria98 true the directors start putting him as a villain but rarely as a hero or supporting character.
They did a good job at caleidoscope
The stars were aligned when they casted everyone for Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul. A masterpiece that is timeless!
W
They should’ve put Walter and Jesse in better call Saul
@@tucko11 they did, there in the last 2 episodes
@@tucko11 Kim meets Jesse right before Jesse and Walt abduct Jimmy.
@@hoosier3060u can tell Jesse voice wasn't the same
I swear, he steals the show every time he is in a scene.
Giancarlo Esposito is literally a phenominal actor.
eh not on the Mandalorian. your palet for acting is a bit bland if you don't see the flaw in using a Gus in space for Mandalorian
@@TWOCRUNK4U I agree on the Mandalorian - he was blah
@@TWOCRUNK4U Not his fault though. It's the terrible directing/writing
He commands your attention every scene.
In Breaking Bad, he was perfect because he played a perfectly developed character.
I don’t know how this man has never won an Emmy. Incredible actor.
Never had a role where he had volume, sure he’s great but he didn’t have much screen time
@@jmanfunkslice mf best supporting actor in a drama he should’ve been a lock in BCS
@@iGaveLiaHIV no, he didn’t have enough screen time, read
@@jmanfunkslice he was a main character in better call saul tho
@@JakeFLM usually doesn’t have anything to do with screen time
I just love these older, articulate, quite soft-spoken actors that ooze such charisma on screen without being overbearing, like him, Gary Oldman and Christoph Waltz.
James Spader.
For a split second I thought Christoph Waltz was the weirdest shortening of "Christopher Walken" I had ever read lmao
Bryan Cranston
@@nathanielandre2568 he no longer walken, it's a waltz.
Gary Oldman is a ripe old ham.
I absolutely adore this man. I used to be scared of him because of how good his performance was in Breaking Bad, I figured he would be really intimidating in real life. But every interview and fan interaction I've ever seen with Giancarlo he is so warm and kind. He is one of those actors who can draw me to a project I'm not otherwise interested in because I just HAVE to see him act more. Please Hollywood, someone find more parts for this man.
You can say the same for the guy playing Tuco haha
glazer
It's ironically he's probably the most animated panel I seen but plays the most deadpan serious character
You can tell he really loves talking about acting, I enjoyed that.
Every soon-to-be-villain actor in a TV show or movie needs to sit down with Giancarlo and have a long chat about what makes a character so interesting. This man has nailed down the art of stoic antagonism: no loud shouting, physical intimidation, or murdering, but just speaking. Incredible.
*stares at box cutter in the corner*
"No murdering" hmm...
I mean, Tuco was a pretty successful villain aswell, but Gus will always be the best
I was about to comment on how good Giancarlo is, but I struggled to put up the right words to justify his excellence. If anyone asks me how good of an actor he is, I will say this statement.
Victor: Am I a joke to you?
If he gets into script writing- he's going to put together an absolutely amazing product with extremely well written characters. I NEED him to get into that lol.
If he gets behind the camera he will be unstoppable
Up to Los Pollos Standards
@@rorylynch7775 Acceptable
@@PillowMane He's directed episodes on BCS
How do you have any idea his chops for acting somehow transfer. They don't.
Giancarlo is a legend. Full of energy, joy and charisma. Couldn't be more unlike most of the characters he plays...
What an actor, truly. I know it's not exactly a TV show or Movie but Far Cry 6 was so unbelievably good, and he brought the character to life with MoCap and his insane talent.
Finally, someone mentions Far cry 6, by far the best Villan since FC3. He portrayed the realisation of power loss so well
@@adamjones4951 I think the seed family were the best "villains" but that's just me
@@adamjones4951you didn’t like pagan min? Honestly I’d put pagan min over vass
Don't forget about his role in Payday 2
He deserves all the success of the world. He is really an Oscar-level actor
agreed
Oscars mean nothing. He's happy in the theater and amazing shows that are artistically valuable. Oscars or other American awards are absolute or objective. I don't think many artists care for it.
nomnomnomnom :p
Indeed
Agree
Giancarlo is very obviously the best kind of person to play a villain. But the villains he plays all have an interesting perspective and he conveys it in a formidable way. Beautiful.
What I love about Gus is that his emotions are all in his face. Anger, disappointment, setbacks, final vengeance. All of it.
Giancarlo and Chrisoph Waltz in my opinion are very similar especially when playing villains. I think he needs to be in a Tarantino movie at some point.
Would love to see those two collaborate
As much as I love Giancarlo, Christoph Waltz has better range as an actor in comparison.
It would be amazing to see them do even just a scene together, both insanely talented at anything they touch.
@@ThatsThing1yes, Giancarlo is very much a specialist. His characters are rather similar, and if they met, they may be amicable friends.
@@ThatsThing1but I would say he plays better villains than waltz
I’ve been a fan of Giancarlo Esposito since the late 80s. Phenomenal actor, but very unsung. His versatility is simply marvelous
Do the right thing
The Usual Suspects.
Ditto.
Ever since School Daze.
bobroberts?
Trading Places with Eddie Murphy.
Jail scene.
Amazing actor. Can fit into any role I've seen him in and play it flawlessly. Currently watching him in Godfather of Harlem and he steals almost any scene he is in.
He plays the unflinching, genius, boss perfectly. Love that he continues to accept those roles as his portrayals of these key roles brings everything together and maintains suspense heightening everyone else's performances.
Met him at Megacon last year. Such a genuine real actor. Extremely friendly, loves chewing gum, and goes out of his way to everyone that came to his table to make interaction special. Brilliant man, need more people like him in Hollywood.
He plays three of the greatest modern villiains/antagonists in the span of ten years, some simultaneously, the man is a powerhouse and one of the greatest actors alive.
I really want to see him in Matt Reeve's Batman universe, either as Mr. Freeze or Hugo Strange.
@@joseenriqueof He's the voice of Lex Luthor in the Harley Quinn animated series.
I love how he acts. Words are not always required. It is like he loves the role, he is so good it is scary.
He has a great face for acting. He can do it all.
but girls hated men like this tho
@@jake9854 lol. His face is expressive enough to tell us what he thinks.
@@jennifertalwar6099 wait so u like expressive boys or u like someone whos passionate about something?
@@jake9854 For me, it isn’t always about words, as long as he expresses himself one way or another. Many things don’t need words. 🙂👍
Love Giancarlo in all his Spike Lee roles, including Mo Better Blues. Love this interview. You can see how much fun he has playing these roles.
He def deserves his flowers
I’m glad he talked about BB Gus and BCS Gus. It would be easy to just try and save time by grouping them together but they really are different characters that both deserve attention. Any actor that can play the same part in 2 different ways is genius. Giancarlo is a phenomenal performer.
It gives me such joy to see Mr. Buggin' Out himself getting his just due. His characters in "Do the Right Thing" and "Fresh" and "Nothing to Lose" will forever be etched in my memory.
No one talks about Fresh enough!!!
Yes sir, I posted about that being the first time seeing him on screen.
@khads_ I absolutely agree that movie is a masterpiece and it's a shame that it's not mentioned enough
What about the mazerunner???
Dude also killed it as Lex Luthor in Harley Quinn. Perfect level of sass and yet corporate tight fisting.
I have no idea what the F splosions are Bane!
He also play Faraday in Cyberpunk Edgerunners
@@cujohjosefumi1252 what really? eng dub?
@@sendxnoodles yup
I love how he’s a genuinely nice guy but can absolutely nail these villainous characters
I really like his strong voice and how he can control it.
Bro his attention to detail and his way to articulate it is wow! Love this dude as a actor seriously.
One of the most versatile actors working today.
Love him as an actor but I want more out of him than just mysterious villain role
Nah. He plays the same character every time
Do you even know what versatile means?
@@enclavesoldier1778 you haven’t seen him in a lot then.
@@enclavesoldier1778 exactly just like Denzel Washington
He's an actor's actor. You can tell he loves the craft of acting
This man does not get talked about ENOUGH, he is Denzel level and it’s not for debate. He could play any type of character to perfection
Such a cerebral actor, whom I hadn't known to be such a calculating individual, exploring his own range, and also, how best to allow his fellow actors, to have such terrific opportunities to react to thoughtful performances, not considered. Love his enthusiasm. Bravo.
Really glad we have actors like this that continuously try to improve and bring the most entertaining performance. We have to many actors that just show up for a check and basically play the same character. Like will Ferrell and Adam Sandler type stuff. Giancarlo kind of reminds me of like a better Robert Downey Jr
@@kslo6179 With the proliferation of so many productions on the go in the past 15 yrs or so, it's indeed an amazing feat of acting, to stand out. We're drowning in growing levels of content, and Giancario, is a welcome life preserver. This really helps in deciding what to watch, as we just gravitate to the shows that attract these professionals, who themselves, gravitate toward great stories and characters.
Pretty sad that most people only know him for Breaking Bad and Mandalorian great shows but he's done so much he's been around since the 80s.
yeah! He was in Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man!!!!!!
Pity nobody knows "Night on Earth".
@@elliotjames5172 first thing I ever saw him in was King of New York played Christopher Walkens lawyer who was also one of his thugs
Revolution is an underrated one for him
I got yall all beat. Watch Trading Places. See if you can find him
How has this guy not been cast as a Bond villain yet??
4:49 I love this scene, perfectly displays the “stage direction” concept he was talking about, Walter makes a request which Gus is happy to fulfill, so he takes the cup, but before the “transaction” is completed, Walter adds in a caveat, one which Mr. Fring did not have to accept, so he hesitates, then, as if granting Walter his five minute request, completes the transaction without denying the caveat
This guy really played key roles in some of the best tv shows ever. So underrated.
I remember seeing an "alignment grid", as you find in many TTRPGs, where they mapped one of Giancarlo's characters he's played in each of the nine boxes. Such a fantastic range of acting skills. Even a really strong, memorable role like Gus Fring hasn't pigeonholed him. Such a talented, but also very humble and down-to-earth person.
Not that many ttrpgs have them... it's mostly just a dnd thing.
This guy and Christoph waltz are just so perfect at playing "bad guys" that memorize you with their performances.
Mesmerize
It’s a breath of fresh air seeing Giancarlo out of character. Incredible actor. Very intriguing human being.
Now he is a true actor. He can be anyone. Since School Daze he was it for me!
I was literally watching his performances and was wondering if he ever talked about his role in Do the Right Thing and I tried to search for it just to find this gem pop up in the midst of my curiousity. Thanks GQ.
That scene in the elevator where he taps his fingers is so subtly genius. His character is of unshakeable fortitude, yet that smallest of tics gives the viewer a glimpse into a very rare moment of Gus' uncertainty. Brilliant
The way that he can just drop voice nad change to this cold calculated way of talk gives me chills. I love his characters a whole lot
one of the most intimidating and scary villains to ever grace the screen, yet one of the nicest and down to earth people youd every want to meet.
Is it bad that my favorite Giancarlo performance is as The Dentist in the Payday 2 skit? That skit is perfection.
Skit?
U mean live action show?
@@jellytonixgaming6043 one of the game's cinematic trailers
How much does it cost to make a deal with Giancarlo if he knows they wouldn’t be able to make a deal?
There is no amount of money. You can’t buy me.
lol
@@ItsActuallyGiancarloYou are a phenomenal actor.
@@tomsmit2399 Came here to check if these accounts are real and to my surprise they actually are
@@TankGamingADHD Same
Amazing actor. Had hoped they would have talked about "Fresh," very underrated movie and Giancarlo as Esteban is one of the most intense characters ever.
This! I wondered how far I would have to scroll before someone said it. That was my introduction to the man and I've been a fan ever since.
Giancarlo Esposito not Esteban!!!
Agreed
First time I saw him was in a Wesley Snipes movie called Sugar Hill back when it came out
He’ll always be Julian to me.
Nice. Very intelligent in his process and how he approaches a part. Also love how excited he gets when he talks about a project.
Repect. 🙌
Man Giancarlo a legend one of my favorite actors ever 😊
He’s a true genius, the way he articulates his acting is insane. Amazing actor.
He plays his characters so grounded in reality. With any other actor these villans would be more over the top, but Giancarlo makes them seem so realistic.
Even his role as Neville in Revolution was great stuff. he’s a gift and a talent, and i can’t wait to see what he contributes next
Such a throwback. That was an amazing show and my first exposure to him
I loved Revolution season 1. It had so much potential but I didn't like the direction of season 2. Besides that his role as Neville was good
TRUE i loved him in that show!
@@Blackjacksbest Same!
I'm surprised Revolution wasn't mentioned
I adore this man's acting, I wish he'd appear in more. I will always follow him career.
It’s so refreshing seein how passionate he is!! You can also tell how much thought he puts into his characters and how he’s going to deliver the best possible performance ever
I love the way how Walter’s persistence in having Gus confess the truth to him in the one scene leads to him finally shifting his tone and admitting what Walt wants to hear
Esposito really understands his characters’ mindsets and now that would inform every nuance of their speech and even their random facial ‘tics’ . . .
I would love to see him as a high table occupant in the John Wick universe
Part of his style is very straightforward: he is equally willing to be kind and stab you in the eye, and him making us wait to know which will happen is the hot fudge he drizzles on each antagonistic character he plays.
Seeing him laughing, talking fast and with a smile on his face is so uncanny when you're used to his characters.
To be honest I had no idea he is such a cool and funny guy. He always plays evil characters 🙂
You know nothing of Kung fu
He's an actor
Normally the people that play the villains are the best in real life
Give this man his flowers 💐 he is mad underrated 🤷🏾♂️💯💯
Love how he really understood and enjoyed his roles! That’s how a great actor act.
i love this guy he literally makes everything hes in 10x better
How can't you love how excited Giancarlo gets about his characters and his lines
I think I've seen that Mandalorian episode only twice, but his delivery of the line "You have something I want" has stuck in my mind, and I find myself muttering it to myself with the same cadence. It's so cool to hear him say it's one of his favourites as well, haha.
Giancarlo is perhaps one of thee most underrated actors of our time!! Pure genius in all his roles and so well spoken! He deserves all his flowers!
He may play alot of villains but he's so charming
The amount of passion that he has for the craft is infectious, you could also brand this video as a motivational video and most people would be happy
Breaking bad is a 10/10 legendary show. His performance was excellent in it. As good as it gets.
One of the greatest actors of all time no doubt
Disappointed he didn't talk about his role as Esteban in Fresh. That was just a phenomenal movie.
His characters looks mundane on the surface but upon close inspection they are dangerous. He is so good of an actor and sometimes I root for his character even if he is the villain. I love to see him act more, in a series preferably.
That scene in Better Call Saul where he said "You.....are....Mine" was such a good scene. Gave me chills
It’s crazy how he looked so completely different and sounded completely different in The Usual Suspects. Rewatched it the other day and saw his name in the intro credits and I had to keep doing a double take when he was on screen and second guessed myself on whether or not it was him the first time he showed up.
Now I want to go re watch that movie, just to see him!
One of his most underrated performances was as Jack Baer in The Usual Suspects.
Although remembering him as Buggin in Do The Right Thing, it was his role in Bryan Singer’s neo-noir thriller that really caught my attention - and he wasn’t even one of the main characters. That’s how good he was, and still is, as an actor.
Just the fax... just the fax.
First time I seen him is in a 1994 movie called Fresh. It's a great movie.
So happy to see this, especially after seeing Kaleidoscope recently! He's just such a versatile & awesome actor, love him! 🤘🏼
(Also, the scenes with "where's your courage" - not spoiling-... Is honestly the first heart touching moment I hadn't felt in a long time. It's subtle but fantastically done.)
I could listen to his voice for hours
wow I'm amazed at how much goes into his thoughtprocess when acting these characters, it's amazing and I mean the results speak for themselves...
One of the best GQ videos. I could listen and watch him talk for hours.
Such smart ways to break down scripts and characters. Love how he approaches his characters.
Mr. Esposito is a genius. I love hearing him break down his art.
Love seeing this man in any capacity. Wonderful interview.
I'm still 100% in on him playing Professor X & Denzel Washington playing Magneto
How sway?
a living legend like most Breaking Bad actors and actresses
This man is the most incredible Villain actor ever, they really needed to cover more. Just absolutely phenomenal job in all his roles really
HOW could you leave out his role as Esteban in Fresh?????!!!!! He stole every scene. Overall a highly underrated movie.I just assumed he was dominican for years and was shocked when I found out he wasn't lol.
His characters are great because they all carry themselves in a dignified way while also being some of the most the most ruthless people ever. Something about it is just so satisfying
He deserves all the flowers in the world ❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹
That was awesome when he cracked up when he was talking about scaring people as Gus. Knows exactly what he's doing to everyone and is having a great time doing it. He's definitely one of my favorite actors.
really appreciated his honesty in sharing his anecdote about his father’s reaction
Giancarlo's characters have a cold, terrifying air about them all while being extremely eloquent. Truly, One of the Best Actors he is!
wow, the way he broke down his roles was very technical, it feels almost as if hearing a professional athlete or professional chess player break down their move. Major respect to this man
I love how enthusiastic Giancarlo is about the characters he plays. It’s so endearing
He's an incredible actor, and a solid person as well
The image of giancarlo practicing saberfight with a cape and a broom is the most wholesome thing I've seen today
he's such a fan of the material he portrays and it's exciting seeing his excitement for reminiscing and highlighting some of his favourite moments
He laid it on thick but if you've seen him act then you know, he's good.
It's an interview. He couldn't just give the short answer.
@@GangstaStan010 yeah I know I wanted to hear all of this.
The way he says every word with clarity and pauses gives him a very powerful, mysterious, and menacing feel.