Picture it: It’s Friday and movie night on the couch due to ‘rona. My husband and I have gotten creative with our date nights to avoid falling victim to the pandemic. So, every Friday, we turn on one of our many streaming services and watch a movie or a show. This particular Friday was a special one. ‘The Boys’ on Amazon Prime was back with the first three episodes of season two. So, after watching ‘3022’ on Netflix (decent film) we switched over to Prime to catch some of the show. The introduction to the first episode proceeds and we get excited. We’re glued into the TV screen, patiently waiting – and there he was. The legend himself. Raising his eyeglasses in the scene that starts the Vought board meeting. Giancarlo Esposito. My husband and I both threw up our hands in excitement and unnecessary shock and said something to the effect of, “Of course he’s in this show too!” I decided that night, I’d give Giancarlo some flowers.

Not only is Mr. Esposito a favorite on all our beloved TV shows and movies – ‘The Boys’, ‘Dear White People’, ‘The Get Down’, ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘Better Call Saul’, ‘Ali’, ‘Waiting to Exhale’, ‘The Usual Suspects’, ‘Malcolm X’, ‘School Daze’, and ‘Do the Right Thing’ – he has had a long a decorated career in entertainment. Giancarlo boasts a music credit as the singer of the theme song to ‘The Electric Company’ (the precursor to Sesame Street), 185 acting credits, four producer credits, three soundtrack credits, two director credits, and 77 documentary and self credits. Talk about an incredible career! Though he has been a staple of every Black household since the ‘80’s, he gained mainstream notoriety for his role as Gus in ‘Breaking Bad’.

Every time we look up, Giancarlo is making a cameo of some kind. His acting chops span the entirety of the spectrum, too. He’s brought us humor, activism, drama, dramedy, and introspection. He’s played a college kid, a jefe, a corporate boss, a professor, a pastor & father, a narrator, a lover, and many more. No matter the role or genre, he never fails us. Giancarlo’s presence instantly improves the atmosphere of any TV show or film. I only hope God allows him to continue to deliver for us.

Born, Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito to an Italian father and African American mother, Giancarlo’s career began early as an actor on Broadway. Since then, he has continued a stellar career with very little recognition from The Academy. Though he has won two awards (National Board of review: Best Cast for The Usual Suspects; Critics Choice Television Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Breaking Bad), it’s past time for the awards to start raking in.

An incredible talent and our household favorite, Giancarlo is a legend in his own right and time. Thank you for all that you have and continue to give us.

Giancarlo Esposito – Give the Man His Flowers!