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Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito

Actor, also producer and director · Born April 26, 1958 (68) · Copenhagen, Denmark

Primetime Emmy nominee · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee · 2 other major award bodies

Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito (born April 26, 1958) is an American actor. He is known for portraying Gus Fring in the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad from 2009 to 2011 and its prequel series Better Call Saul from 2017 to 2022. He won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series twice for this role. He earned three nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. His other television roles include federal agent Mike Giardello in the NBC series Homicide: Life on the Street (1998–1999), Sidney Glass / Magic Mirror in the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time (2011–2017), Tom Neville in the NBC series Revolution (2012–2014), Dr. Edward Ruskins in the Netflix series Dear White People (2017–2021), Stan Edgar in the Amazon series The Boys (2019–present) and The Boys Presents: Diabolical (2022), and Moff Gideon in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian (2019–2023), the lattermost of which earned him two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He also portrayed Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in the MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem (2019–present), acted in the HBO drama series Westworld (2016), and starred in the Netflix television series Kaleidoscope (2023), The Gentlemen (2024), and The Residence (2025). He is also known for his collaboration with Spike Lee, acting in several of his films, such as School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), Mo' Better Blues (1990), and Malcolm X (1992). His other major films include Taps (1981), King of New York (1990), Bob Roberts (1992), Fresh (1994), The Usual Suspects (1995), Ali (2001), Monkeybone (2001), Last Holiday (2006), Rabbit Hole (2010), Okja (2017), Megalopolis (2024), MaXXXine (2024), and Captain America: Brave New World (2025). He voiced Akela in the live-action remake of The Jungle Book (2016). Description above from the Wikipedia article Giancarlo Esposito, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 26, 1958 (68)
From
Copenhagen, Denmark
Works as
Actor, also producer and director
Titles
134 on MovieCove · 200 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 66% in 30 days

What are Giancarlo Esposito's films like?

Across their 92 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime15 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Animation4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
22%
Bonds
18%
Self
17%
Society
15%
Survival
12%
Power
11%
Ideas
5%
Justice18 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds21 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity17 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity15 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival13 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose10 titles, browse their movies with this themePower10 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption9 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 75 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 21 · Serious 25 · Dark 29

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 41 · Stylized 20 · Heightened 14

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 16 · Charged 27 · Intense 32

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 24 · Shifting 36 · Whiplash 15

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 44 · Some laughs 23 · Funny 8

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 25 · Even-paced 42 · Relentless 8

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 24 · Engaged 41 · Full focus 10

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 29 · Affecting 21 · Heavy 25

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 44 · Open-ended 25 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

47 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 14 of 47 analyzed roles.

Shadow
14 of 47
Threshold guardian
10 of 47
Mentor
9 of 47
Ally
5 of 47
Hero
4 of 47
Herald
3 of 47
Trickster
2 of 47
Show the 47 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
63
Contemplative
31
Melancholic
31
Warm
18
Thrilling
20
Other
76

How their films linger

Thought-provoking35 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet25 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling27 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 20 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet42
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous23
  • Cyclical3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Giancarlo Esposito's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 90 of their 134 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (34).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Giancarlo Esposito's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

200 credits, 134 with a MovieCove page; 32 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Karoshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    Actor

  • The Cat in the Hat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Mr. Hoogeboom (voice)

  • The Only Living Pickpocket in New York(2026)

    as Detective Warren

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • ...And Out Comes the Wolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother(2026)

    as Abdul Malik

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • By Any Means(2026)

    as Vernon Dahmer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian(2026)

    as Moff Gideon (voice)

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • 7 Dogs(2026)

    as Roman Marks

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Kill Me(2026)

    Executive Producer · as Dr. Singer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Please Don't Feed the Children(2024)

    as Fitz

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Residence(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · as A.B. Wynter

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Electric State(2025)

    as Colonel Bradbury / The Marshall

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Captain America: Brave New World(2025)

    as Sidewinder

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Megalopolis(2024)

    as Mayor Cicero

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • MaXXXine(2024)

    as Teddy Knight, Esq.

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Abigail(2024)

    as Lambert

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Parish(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer · as Gracián 'Gray' Parish

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • The Gentlemen(2024)

    Show 12 episodes · as Uncle Stan

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Gen V(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Stan Edgar

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem(2023)

    as Baxter Stockman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Granite (voice)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Poker Face(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Finch

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Kaleidoscope(2023)

    Show 9 episodes · as Leo Pap

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Euphoria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Taxi Driver

  • Beauty(2022)

    as Beauty's Father

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Diabolical(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Stan Edgar (voice)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Unpregnant(2020)

    as Bob

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Broken and the Bad(2020)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Home Movie: The Princess Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as The Grandfather

  • For NYC (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Stargirl(2020)

    as Archie Brubaker

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Coda(2019)

    as Paul

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Line of Duty(2019)

    as Tom Volk

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Harley Quinn(2019)

    Show 11 episodes · as Lex Luthor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Mandalorian(2019)

    Show 9 episodes · as Moff Gideon

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Godfather of Harlem(2019)

    Show 14 episodes · as Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Creepshow(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Doc

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • The Boys(2019)

    Show 12 episodes · as Meerkat Stan Edgar (voice) · as Stan Edgar

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Jett(2019)

    Show 9 episodes · as Charlie Baudelaire

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Stuck(2017)

    Producer · as Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Dallas & Robo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · as Victor Goldsmith

  • The Nagano Tapes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Narrator

  • Maze Runner: The Death Cure(2018)

    as Jorge

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Show(2017)

    Director · Producer · as Mason Washington

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • DuckTales(2017)

    Show 3 episodes · as Phantom Blot (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Okja(2017)

    as Frank Dawson

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Unacknowledged(2017)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dear White People(2017)

    Show 40 episodes · as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Better Call Saul: Los Pollos Hermanos Employee Training(2017)

    Show 10 episodes · as Gustavo Fring

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Rebel(2017)

    Show 9 episodes · as Charles

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Westworld(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as El Lazo

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Brother Nature(2016)

    as Congressman Frank McClaren

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Get Down(2016)

    Show 11 episodes · as Pastor Ramon Cruz

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Money Monster(2016)

    as Captain Powell

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Jungle Book(2016)

    as Akela (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Pills - Sempre meglio che lavorare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Il Boss

  • Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials(2015)

    as Jorge

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Better Call Saul(2015)

    Show 40 episodes · Director · as Gus Fring

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Allegiance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 7 episodes · as Oscar Christoph

  • I Did Not Forget You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Dr. Sabian

  • Poker Night(2014)

    as Bernard

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Batman: Assault on Arkham(2014)

    as Black Spider / Eric Needham (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Son of Batman(2014)

    as Ra's al Ghul (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Requiem for the Big East (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator

  • Timms Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Pruit Normings

  • They Die by Dawn(2013)

    as Rufus Buck

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Drunk History(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Andrés Pico

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Blood River Crossing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Narrator

  • Over/Under (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Oliver Ohrt

  • Alex Cross(2012)

    as Daramus Holiday

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Revolution(2012)

    Show 42 episodes · as Tom Neville

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • NYC 22 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Harvey Williams

  • Once Upon a Time(2011)

    Show 14 episodes · as Sidney Glass / Magic Mirror

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Certainty(2011)

    as Father Heery

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Dreaming American (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Daytona LeMans

  • S.W.A.T.: Firefight(2011)

    as Inspector Hollander

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Gordon Ramirez

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • Rabbit Hole(2010)

    as Auggie

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Community(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gilbert Lawson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Lie to Me(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Beau Hackman

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Leverage(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Alexander Moto

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Chelsea on the Rocks(2008)

    as Tip

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • New Amsterdam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as James Lawson

  • Gospel Hill(2008)

    Director · Producer · as Dr. Palmer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Breaking Bad(2008)

    Show 28 episodes · as Gustavo Fring

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Xenophobia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Young

  • Mano (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Nino

  • Feel the Noise(2007)

    as Roberto Vega

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Racing Daylight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Fred

  • The Box (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Dwayne Burkhalter

  • Kidnapped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sherrybaby(2006)

    as Parole Officer Hernandez

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Ken Arnold

  • Last Holiday(2006)

    as Senator Dillings

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • South Beach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 8 episodes · as Robert Fuentes

  • Derailed(2005)

    as Detective Church

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Carlito's Way: Rise to Power(2005)

    as Little Jeff

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Ely Fisher

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Benoit

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Back to You in the Days(2005)

    as Benson Cooper

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • I Will Avenge You, Iago!(2005)

    as Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Law & Order: Trial by Jury(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Orlando Ramirez

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Chupacabra Terror(2005)

    as Dr. Peña

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Hate Crime(2005)

    as Detective Esposito

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Doing Hard Time(2004)

    as Captain Pierce

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • A Killer Within(2004)

    as Vargas

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • 5ive Days to Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 5 episodes · as Tim Sanders

  • NYPD 2069 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Lt. Garner

  • Noise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Hank

  • Blind Horizon(2003)

    as J.C. Reynolds

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Las Vegas(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Reggie Archibald

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Ash Tuesday(2003)

    as Karl

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Girls Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 9 episodes · as Nicholas Hahn

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 3 episodes · as Chief Braga

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Half & Half(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Darrell Washington

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Street Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Jesse Haslim

  • Ali(2001)

    as Cassius Clay, Sr.

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Piñero(2001)

    as Miguel Algarin

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • A Nero Wolfe Mystery(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Ambassador Theodore Kelefy

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Monkeybone(2001)

    as Hypnos

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • 100 Centre Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jacob Lenz

  • The Division (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Pembroke

  • The $treet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 12 episodes · as Tom Divack

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as James 'Junior' Bell

  • Soul Food (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jules

  • Homicide: The Movie(2000)

    as Mike Giardello

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Josephine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Spike

  • Third Watch(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Romero

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Thirst (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Dr. Lawrence Carver

  • Naked City: Justice with a Bullet(1998)

    as Chaz Villanueva

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Where's Marlowe?(1998)

    as Blind Man (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Phoenix(1998)

    as Louie

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Creature (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lt. Thomas Peniston / Werewolf

  • Twilight(1998)

    as Reuben Escobar

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Stardust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mr. Peavey

  • Trouble on the Corner(1997)

    as Darryl

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Five Desperate Hours(1997)

    as Joseph Grange

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Big City Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Georgie

  • The Hunger(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Vampire

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Loose Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Stylist #2

  • Nothing to Lose(1997)

    as Charlie Dunt

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Ray McMurphy

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Maze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Henry Kunitz

  • The Tomorrow Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Jonathan Driscoll

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Arnold / Gordon Keller · as Whip Tyrell

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Swift Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 3 episodes · as Andrew Coffin

  • Waiting to Exhale(1995)

    as David Matthews (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Reckless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Host Tim Timko

  • Kla$h (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Stoney

  • Blue in the Face(1995)

    as Tommy Finelli

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Keeper(1995)

    Producer · as Paul Lamont

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Usual Suspects(1995)

    as Jack Baer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Smoke(1995)

    as 1st OTB Man / Tommy

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Antonio Gaudi

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Cherchez LaFemme

  • New York Undercover(1994)

    Show 3 episodes · as Adolfo Guzman

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Fresh(1994)

    as Esteban

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Peace and Quiet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Richard Jones

  • Benders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Jack

  • Seven Songs for Malcolm X (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Autobiography Reading (voice)

  • Bakersfield P.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 17 episodes · as Detective Paul Gigante

  • Fallen Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Paris Minton

  • Amos & Andrew(1993)

    as The Reverend Fenton Brunch

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Homicide: Life on the Street(1993)

    Show 22 episodes · as Michael Giardello

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Relentless: Mind of a Killer(1993)

    as Arthur Sistrunk

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Malcolm X(1992)

    as Thomas Hayer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Bob Roberts(1992)

    as Bugs Raplin

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Night on Earth(1991)

    as YoYo

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man(1991)

    as Jimmy Jiles

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Jungle Fever(1991)

    as Homeless Man

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 3 episodes · as Attorney Baylor · as Defense Attorney Rodney Fallon

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Mo' Better Blues(1990)

    as Left Hand Lacey (Piano)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • King of New York(1990)

    as Lance

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Do the Right Thing(1989)

    as Buggin Out

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • School Daze(1988)

    as Julian 'Dean Big Brother Almighty' Eaves

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Leg Work (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Tyson

  • Heartbeat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Gang Member #1

  • Sweet Lorraine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Howie

  • Maximum Overdrive(1986)

    as Videoplayer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Roanoak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 3 episodes · as Simon Fernandes

  • Rockabye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Marcus

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Jumpin' Jack

  • Desperately Seeking Susan(1985)

    as Street Vendor

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Finnegan Begin Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Intruder

  • The Cotton Club(1984)

    as Bumpy Hood

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Adonis Jackson · as Luther · as Ricky

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Brother from Another Planet(1984)

    as Man Being Arrested (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Go Tell It on the Mountain(1985)

    as Elisha

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Trading Places(1983)

    as Cellmate #2

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Enormous Changes at the Last Minute(1983)

    as Julio

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 3 episodes · as Elisha · as Simon Fernandes

  • Taps(1981)

    as Cadet Captain J.C. Pierce

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Gentleman Bandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Jamie

  • Running(1979)

    as Puerto Rican Teenager

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Tutti a squola (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Et Salammbo? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • The Long Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as William Tell Oliver

  • The Official Mistress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • The Prince

    Actor

  • Weird Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 200 titles, 194 of them dated from 1970 to 2026; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

The Jungle Book (2016)

$968M worldwide

Highest rated

Better Call Saul (2015)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Breaking Bad (2008)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19702026

Peak 2016 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 27 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Show 1 more milestone

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting199 of 200: 194 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score61stDirecting3 of 200: 0 only directing, 3 with another roleProducing4 of 200: 1 only producing, 3 with another role

200 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1970s3 · acting1980s20 · acting1990s46 · acting2000s49 · 49 acting · 1 crew2010s46 · 46 acting · 2 crew2020s30 · 29 acting · 3 crew

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 3% of 62 roles
81919606111621

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

1 major award from 12 major nominations, 1995–2025.

WinNomination
  1. 2025
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
  2. 2023
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
  3. 2021
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  4. 2020
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
  5. 2019
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  6. 2012
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  7. 1995
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Supporting Male

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Giancarlo Esposito's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of the 87 of 88 with a score; across their 74 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 74

Approval · how many liked their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 74

Reach · how many have seen their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 74

Midcredits score across 133 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up45
  • 50th to 74th34
  • 25th to 49th28
  • Below 25th26

Shape of the crowd

46 of their 133 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved25
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive10
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser46
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed41

Most divisive · actor

I Will Avenge You, Iago! (2005)

96th percentile spread · 32% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director

Better Call Saul (2015)

Midcredits 99th · 96% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 64 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Giancarlo Esposito's work okay for kids?

Across up to 44 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore33 titles37–89 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity44 titles15–68 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity39 titles36–89 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs36 titles10–76 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense32 titles36–81 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Giancarlo Esposito work with?

People who share at least 2 of Giancarlo Esposito's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Turturro shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles