Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito was born on 26 April 1958, in Copenhagen, Denmark, of part-Italian and African-American descent. Giancarlo is an actor, best known for playing the part of Gustavo “Gus” Fring in the shows “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”. He’s been active in the industry since 1966, and all of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Giancarlo Esposito? As of early-2018, sources inform us of a net worth that is at $6 million, mostly earned through a successful career in acting. He’s appeared in numerous Spike Lee Films, and also does voice acting work. As he continues his career, it is expected that his wealth will also continue to increase.
Giancarlo Esposito $6 million
Giancarlo grew up in Europe, before the family eventually settled in New York City. He attended Elizabeth Seton College, and studied radio and television communications, earning a degree after two years.
In 1966, Esposito made his acting debut on a Broadway production of “Maggie Flynn” in which he played a slave child. He continued appearing in several productions in the next few years, then in the 1980s started to get film opportunities. His net worth started to increase as he appeared in “Maximum Overdrive” and “King of New York”, and in television shows such as “Miami Vice”. In 1988, he got his breakthrough role in the Spike Lee film “School Daze”, which would lead him to collaborate with Lee in other movies, appearing in “Malcolm X” and “Do the Right Thing”. He also appeared in various indie and mainstream films, including “Night on Earth” and “Reckless”. Esposito’s next notable role would come in the crime drama entitled “Homicide: Life on the Street”, in which he played the role of FBI agent Mike Giardello during the final season of the show. He continued acting work throughout the 1990s, appearing in “Trouble on the Corner” and “New York Undercover”, steadily building his net worth.
In 2001, Giancarlo then played Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. in “Ali”, before appearing in the film “Last Holiday”. He also appeared in the television series “South Beach” and “CSI: Miami”, then moved into directing, and in 2008 made his directorial debut in the film “Gospel Hill”, in which he also starred. The following year, his net worth continued to rise as he joined the cast of the series “Breaking Bad”, in which he became the show’s primary antagonist during the fourth season, for which he received critical acclaim, and also won several awards. In 2011, he appeared in the first season of “Once Upon a Time” before guest-starring in “Community”. He also tried his hand at voice acting, voicing The Dentist in the video game “Payday 2”, and since then he’s frequently voiced for various DC Universe animated films. A few of his latest projects include “The Get Down” and “Better Call Saul”, which is a prequel to “Breaking Bad”, so still adding steadily to his ne worth.
For his personal life, it is known that Esposito married Joy McManigal in 1995 and they have four daughters, however, their marriage ended in divorce.
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Obie Award for Performance
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television, ...
Movies
The Jungle Book, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Do the Right Thing, Money Monster, School Daze, The Usual Suspects, Mo' Better Blues, Bob Roberts, Feel the Noise, Night on Earth, Nothing to Lose, Rabbit Hole, Last Holiday, King of New York, Malcolm X, Sherrybaby, Monkeybone, Trading Places, Deraile...
TV Shows
Revolution, Breaking Bad, South Beach, Girls Club, Homicide: Life on the Street, Bakersfield P.D., 5ive Days to Midnight, The Street
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Quote
1
[on planning his demise in Breaking Bad (2008)] I said to [Vince Gilligan] It's got to be something different but it has got to be real. Look at what I do as Gus. I've developed this thing where I button my buttons, I look pretty dapper and I fix my tie. And we both stopped and looked at each other, and we were off and running with an idea that proved to be probably one of the most visually satisfying and most gratifying deaths in film history.
2
[on a special award in 2014] I'm getting my star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I feel like my career has just begun. I'm in a place now that I can accept the love and accolades that comes with that star. But more than anything it represents a new beginning for me. Now I feel like I can pick up the pace.
3
I first felt successful when I was 13 and in a show called "Seesaw". I came offstage and heard the applause of the theater audience and felt a sense of accomplishment. Around that time, my role model for success was Burt Lancaster. He was one of the first actors in Hollywood to start his own production company, and I respected him because he created something he believed in. Nowadays, I look to spiritual people, such as Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama, since I'm always asking myself, "What do I have to give?".
4
I started in the acting business at age 8, so I feel it's my experience and social skills for example, how to be charismatic, how not to lose your temper - that have helped me the most to succeed. But I did develop a plan: I wanted to work with good people who had a passion for what they did. Still, at age 17, I made the decision to study the technical part of the business as well. I got a two year degree in radio and television communication at Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, New York. I figured if I never made It as an actor, I could go to Alaska, be a cameraman, and collect a paycheck. It would be something to fall back on, but something I still enjoyed.
5
[1997] Accumulating money has never been a real goal for me. Rather, I think about how to make every moment of my life mean something. What's been my barometer for success is my creative and spiritual growth - I measure my success by the quality of my work. Last year I sat down and reexamined things. I asked myself if I wanted to do anything and everything just to get a lot of money. I decided I'd rather work and collaborate with people at the top of their craft. And my dream has come true. This year, I'm doing a picture with four Academy Award winners: Director Robert Benton, Susan Sarandon, Gene Hackman and Paul Newman.
6
My advice for achieving success is to make a career choice that reflects your passion. Then work your craft a little bit each day - even if someone's not paying you to do it. Try to balance your social life with your educational (or professional) life, and have patience.
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Fact
1
Fluent in Italian and Spanish.
2
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6351 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 26, 2014.
Is a supporter of Mumia Abu Jamal and participated in the 2010 documentary "Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey With Mumia Abu-Jamal". Billed as "Mumia Abu-Jamal: unrepentant cop-killer or passionate revolutionary?".
5
Was one of the chorus of children who sang the theme song of The Electric Company (1971).
6
Was a member of the dramatic jury at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.
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Won two Obie Awards for his performances in "Distant Fires" and "Zooman and the Sign".
8
Is a member of the Atlantic Theater Ensemble, the theater company started by David Mamet and William H. Macy.
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Has four daughters: Shayne Lyra, Kale Lyn, Syrlucia and Ruby.
10
Lived in Europe, New York City and Cleveland until he; his older brother, Vincent; and their parents moved Manhattan when Giancarlo was six. During the boys' teens, the family lived in Elmsford in Westchester County, New York.
11
His mother was doing a nightclub gig on a split bill with Josephine Baker in Copenhagen, Denmark, around the time he was born.
12
His mother was an opera singer and his father was a stagehand and carpenter from Naples, Italy.
$6 million
