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‘Breaking Bad’ Where Are They Now? Photos of the Actors, the Spin-Offs, Commercial, & More

By:
February 9, 2023 11:45AM EST
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‘Breaking Bad’ fans are in for a treat on Super Bowl Sunday. Ahead of their mini TV reunion, learn everything and more about the show, and where they are now, right here.

Breaking Bad was a paradigm-shifting television series, there’s no denying that. Masterminded by Vince Gilligan, the creator of X-Files, this AMC production chronicled the life of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher based in New Mexico. After receiving a cancer diagnosis just after his 50th birthday, Walter devises a plan to start cooking methamphetamine. As the show goes on, what was supposed to be a side project takes over his entire world.

The show, which ran for five seasons from 2008 to 2013, would go on to spawn the movie El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) as well as the critically-acclaimed spin-off series Better Call Saul (2015 to 2022). Fans were in for a real treat when the Breaking Bad team reunited for a 2023 Super Bowl commercial.

Ready to learn what Aaron Paul, Bob Odenkirk, and the rest of the Breaking Bad cast are up to today? Check out our gallery here.

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Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston
Everett/Shutterstock

Bryan Cranston led the show as Mr. White. Audiences were most familiar with the star as the goofy dad on Malcolm In The Middle, making his character’s descent into darkness all the more surprising. He would take home four Emmys for the part.

After Breaking Bad, Bryan enjoyed some time on the stage. He played President Lyndon B. Johnson in a 2014 production of All the Way and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play in 2018, for the role of anchorman Howard Beale in Network.

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul
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Aaron Paul was Walter’s meth-addled business partner Jesse Pinkman, a former one of his chemistry students. Over the seasons, he grows to question the fallout from their crimes. At the same time, Walter is transforming into a brutal drug kingpin, known as “Heisenberg.” Aaron would win three Primetime Emmys for Best Supporting Actor.

The star next began voicing loveable burnout Todd Chavez in the animated series BoJack Horseman (2014-2018). Continuing to flex his talents on TV, Aaron starred in the series The Path (2016-2018), Westworld (2016-2020), and Truth Be Told (2021-).

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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‘Breaking Bad’ For Pop Corners

‘Breaking Bad’ For Pop Corners
Frito-Lay/Mega

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul got back into character as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman for the snack brand PopCorners’ first Super Bowl commercial. In the ad spot, the pair have a new gig cooking batches of air-popped Popcorners chips. The ad features the infamous RV from the series and also sees the return of Raymond Cruz as Tuco Salamanca. Breaking Bad creator, head writer, executive producer and director Vince Gilligan reunited with the cast too.

Talking about the project, Bryan said, “PopCorners’ desire to create a genuine extension of the franchise and a campaign that would really excite ‘Breaking Bad’ fans is what brought us back for this Super Bowl commercial.” He added, “Walt would’ve been immediately drawn to the basic ingredients in PopCorners, so Breaking Good’made perfect sense as an alternate storyline that would’ve been much better for him and Jesse.”

Aaron was also thrilled to revisit Jesse, saying, “There’s nothing better than getting to revive characters who mean so much to us, surrounded by so many of our original cast and crew members, for the most exciting sports event of the year. We’re grateful that PopCorners gave us the perfect opportunity to reunite our Breaking Bad family, especially with a brand that I think is about to become everyone’s go-to snack.”

February 9, 2023, 10:36AM
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Anna Gunn

Anna Gunn
Everett/Shutterstock

Anna Gunn played Walter’s wife Skyler in the series. Though he initially keeps his business secret from her, she ends up discovering his double life, much to her disapproval. Anna would win two Emmys for the part.

Before Breaking Bad, Anna was well known for her parts in The Practice (1997–2002), and Deadwood (2004–2006). Her notable film credits include Without Evidence, Enemy of the State, Treading Water, Twelve Mile Road, Red State, and Equity.

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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Dean Norris

Dean Norris
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Dean Norris played Walter’s DEA agent brother-in-law Hank Schrader. Over the years the star has been in more than 100 different TV shows and nearly 50 movies. The actor, who often plays tough guys and cops, has appeared in the films Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Total Recall (1990), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Starship Troopers (1997), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), The Book of Henry (2017), Death Wish (2018), and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019).

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk
Everett/Shutterstock

Bob Odenkirk played sleazy but effective attorney Saul Goodman in the series. He’d reprise his role for Better Call Saul, which was both a prequel and sequel to Breaking Bad.

Bob started his career as a comedy writer, working on SNL from 1987 to 1991. He also discovered the absurdist comedy act Tim & Eric in 2001 and has directed the feature films Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003), Let’s Go to Prison (2006), and The Brothers Solomon (2007). Following Breaking Bad, his most high-profile projects have been Nebraska (2013), the first season of Fargo (2014), The Post (2017), Pixar’s Incredibles 2 (2018), Little Women (2019), and Nobody (2021).

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito
Everett/Shutterstock

Giancarlo Esposito played Gus Fring, appearing as the Chilean drug distributor/fast-food chain owner in seasons 2, 3 and 4.

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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Jonathan Banks

Jonathan Banks
Everett/Shutterstock

Jonathan-Banks was hitman/fixer  Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad. He returned as the character for Better Call Saul and El Camino, for each of which he earned an Emmy nomination.

The veteran actor’s breakout role was in the police series Wiseguy (1987–1990). He’s appeared in the films Airplane! (1980), 48 Hrs. (1982), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001), and The Commuter (2018). He also had appearances on the TV shows Highlander: The Series (1994), Walker, Texas Ranger (1994), CSI (2004), Without a Trace (2006), and Community (2014).

January 19, 2023, 8:39PM
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Jesse Plemons

Jesse Plemons
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Jesse Plemons was Walter and Jesse’s associate  Todd Alquist in season 5. He would reprise the role for El Camino.

Jesse has appeared in critically acclaimed films like The Master (2012), Bridge of Spies (2015), Game Night, (2018), The Irishman (2019), Judas and the Black Messiah, and The Power of the Dog (both in 2021.) He is married to actress Kirsten Dunst, with whom he shares two children.

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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Betsy Brandt

Betsy Brandt
Everett/Shutterstock

Betsy Brandt played Marie Schrader, Skyler’s high-strung and hypocritical sister, who is Hank’s wife. She also appeared in Better Call Saul (2022) and, after Breaking Bad, spent four seasons on the sitcom Life in Pieces (2015–2019).

January 19, 2023, 8:38PM
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RJ Mitte

RJ Mitte
Everett/Shutterstock

RJ Mitte played Walter and Skyler’s son Walter White, Jr. Like his character, RJ also has cerebral palsy, although his is a milder form.

RJ got his start as an extra on the Disney series Hannah Montana, and began taking acting classes after. He’s also appeared in the films The Recall (2017) Rivers Run Red (2018), The Oak Room (2020), and 
Triumph (2021.)

January 19, 2023, 8:39PM
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‘El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie’

‘El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie’
Everett

Fans got what they were asking for when El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie came out in 2019. The film continues the story of Jesse Pinkman.

January 19, 2023, 8:43PM
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‘Better Call Saul’

‘Better Call Saul’
Everett

Better Call Saul gave audiences a look at lawyer Saul Goodman’s past. The critically-acclaimed show snagged 47 whole Emmy nomination during its six season run.

January 19, 2023, 8:43PM
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Aaron Paul & Bryan Cranston’s Mezcal Brand

Aaron Paul & Bryan Cranston’s Mezcal Brand
Shutterstock

Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston posed with their Dos Hombres Mezcal before guest bartending at Margaritaville in Times Square on May 16, 2022. The duo, who launched the brand in 2019, have stayed close since the end of the show.

January 19, 2023, 8:43PM