Part 4/11:
He credits Breaking Bad as the catalyst that pulled him out of that abyss. The role, which came after years of working in the industry since 1979, proved to be more than a career milestone—it was a lifeline. Esposito emphasizes that during his years as a journeyman actor, accumulating over 197 credits, he was often relied upon for small roles spanning decades across various productions.
Despite being a prolific actor, he highlights a hard truth about the industry: most actors don’t achieve fame or financial stability through recurring roles alone. Many work continuously, often from one short-term gig to another, with only a few reaching the echelon of top-tier celebrities commanding multi-season contracts and multimillion-dollar salaries.