Giancarlo Esposito is renowned for his role as Gustavo “Gus” Fring, a complex character in AMC’s Primetime Emmy-winning drama Breaking Bad. His portrayal of the taciturn drug kingpin garnered widespread acclaim and contributed to the show’s success.
While Breaking Bad is incredible as a whole, specific moments stand out throughout the show. One of the most memorable is the shocking demise of “Miami Vice”-inspired by Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), which is set up by Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis).
Why Giancarlo Esposito Didn’t Want to See the Cast Before Filming Gus’ Death
The death of Gus Fring in Breaking Bad Season 4 was caused by a pipe bomb explosion in the episode “Face Off.” The attack was one of the show’s most shocking and memorable moments.
Hector Salamanca rigged his wheelchair to explode during a meeting with Fring. Surprisingly, Fring calmly walked out of the room after the shock, perhaps due to his body’s lack of pain recognition. The burst of adrenaline could have allowed him to take a few steps before his body gave out. Anyway, Fring’s wounds were too severe to survive. This part was one of the show’s most iconic scenes because of how meticulously Giancarlo Esposito prepared for it.
During a behind-the-scenes interview with Movies Breaker on YouTube, Esposito explained that he wanted to avoid the cast and crew as much as possible before filming the scene. The reason was not that he wanted to avoid reactions to the unbelievable burn prosthetics on his face, but he wanted to be in the proper headspace once the cameras started rolling for the scene. Esposito explained:
“I wanted to be in the moment of the reality and truth of what I had to do.”
After all, the moment couldn’t have come together any better. No wonder Gus Fring’s death is one of the best Breaking Bad moments. This was one of the best performances of Giancarlo Esposito as the character, all thanks to the strategies that he made for himself to stand out from the best.
Mark Margolis, who Played Hector Salamanca and Arch Nemesis of Gus Fring, Dies at 83
Mark Margolis, best known for portraying Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul died on Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness. The death of the 83 old actor was confirmed by his son Morgan Margolis, the CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment. Mark’s wife, Jacqueline, and Morgan were present at his bedside during the time of his death.
Giancarlo Esposito, a dear friend, and co-actor of Margolis in Breaking Bad, said:
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and dynamic human Mark Margolis. You made me laugh, made me cry doubled over with laughter, but more than anything you made me think. Always honest, always true. I will miss you. I am grateful to have had time with you.”
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and dynamic human Mark Margolis. You made me laugh, made me cry doubled over with laughter, but more than anything you made me think. Always honest, always true. I will miss you. I am grateful to have had time with you. pic.twitter.com/cLfrtb1Va9
— Giancarlo Esposito (@quiethandfilms) August 5, 2023
Margolis’ portrayal of Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad earned him an Emmy Award nomination in 2012.
Source: Deadline
