Giancarlo Espositois one of those performers whom everyone will likely recognize when he enters the screen. Indeed, Esposito has been involved in many successful productions across film and TV. He has been highly awarded for these performances, earning Emmy Awards and winning the hearts of audiences and critics. With a career that spans several decades, he is considered one of the greatest actors working today. Esposito’s most memorable performances are likely found in successful TV shows, likeThe Mandalorian,Breaking Bad, andOnce Upon a Time. That said, his work in film, such asThe Usual Suspects, deserves equal recognition.
As talented as he is, it’s no wonder, then, that Marvel Studios has been knocking on his door. In fact, he recently revealedpassing on aLokirolein the hopes of nabbing something bigger, confirming hisdesire to play Professor Xin an upcoming MCUX-Menproject. PerGiant Freakin Robot, Esposito says he would play the infamous character “with force, grace, and a calm.” Fans seem to agree as, perComicbook.com, fanart of Esposito as Professor X has already flooded the internet. We’ll have to wait and see if his meeting with Kevin Feige proves fruitful. Until then, here are Giancarlo Esposito’s best performances, ranked.
8Godfather of Harlem
Godfather of Harlemis an Epix series that premiered in 2019 and is a prequel to the 2007 movieAmerican Gangsterstarring Denzel Washington. The series is written by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, and stars Forest Whitaker in the leading role as New York gangster Bumpy Johnson, who struggles with power against the Italian crime families of New York. Esposito stars as Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, who is a real-life figure. His character has a love-hate relationship with Malcolm X, and his lifestyle conflicts with his strong religious beliefs.
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7The Get Down
The Get Downis a musical drama series created by Baz Luhrmann. It debuted on Netflix in 2016, however, sadly only ran for one season. The series is set in The Bronx in New York in the late-70s. Esposito plays the role of a preacher named Ramon Cruz, who is the head of the Pentecostal church that has hundreds of followers, making him a prominent figure in the community. The series was a success, and so was Esposito, who embodies his role perfectly.
6Community
Communityis a sitcom series that ran for six seasons and is widely regarded by critics as one of the best comedy shows of all time. The series developed a cult following and received widespread critical acclaim throughout its run on air. InCommunity, Esposito plays Gilbert Lawson, who is the half-brother to Pierce Hawthorne, a successful tycoon. His performance is great and adds to the legacy ofCommunityin the comedy sphere. It’s also refreshing to see Esposito in a comedy role, which he does not do often.
5Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Timeis a fantasy drama series that aired for seven seasons on ABC from 2011 to 2018. The series alternates between two worlds: a fantasy world that is full of fairy tales, and the real world, where the audience learn about the backstory of the townspeople who were once fairy tale characters. Esposito plays the magic mirror in this series, which is an interesting kind of role we have never seen him in before, and he brings his excellent acting to the character, which boosted the overall success of the series.
4The Usual Suspects
The Usual Suspectswas released in 1995 and is a neo-noir film directed by Bryan Singer, featuring a main cast that includes Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, Pete Postlethwaite, and Kevin Spacey. The film follows the interrogation of a small conman who is one of only two survivors of a massacre that took place on a ship. Esposito plays FBI Agent Jack Baer, who investigates the boat incident throughout the film.The Usual Suspectsis widely regarded as one of the best movies ever made, and even though his screen time is not as large as the other actors, Esposito makes sure to be noticed in this film.
Related:AMC Teases Two New Shows Starring Bob Odenkirk and Giancarlo Esposito
3Westworld
Westworldis a science fiction Western series that began broadcasting on HBO in 2016. The series focuses on a fictional amusement park, where high-paying guests can live out their fantasies in the dystopian world, which is human-made so that the guests don’t have any fear of retaliation from the game’s characters. Esposito plays El Lazo, who is an outlaw that only appears briefly on the show but still manages to make a strong impact. He drives forward the plot of the series, and, as always, Esposito brings his excellent acting talents to theWestworlduniverse.
2The Mandalorian
The Mandalorianwas created by Jon Favreau for Disney+, and is the first live-action spin-off series that exists within theStar Warsfranchise. The series begins five years after the events ofReturn of the Jedi, and premiered in 2019 alongside the launch of Disney’s streaming service. The series has won the heart of fans and critics alike and has been a huge success. Esposito plays Moff Gideon, who is a villain in pursuit of baby Grogu. He has a huge significance in the series, and his performance as this character is great to watch.
1Breaking Bad
Breaking Badneeds no introduction, being one of the most celebrated and watched series of recent memory. It tells the story of a high school chemistry teacher who has been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer, who turns to a life of crime, partnering with a former student to produce crystal meth. Esposito plays Gustavo Fring, who is the owner of the Los Pollos restaurant chain, doubling as a drug kingpin with links to the cartel. His character is central to the plot and develops throughout the show’s run. Esposito embodies the character easily, making this a standout performance in his filmography.
