Having landed the role of a lifetime as Jesse Pinkman – Breaking Bad’s lovable surrogate child to Bryan Cranston’s Walter White – a summer aged 27 could have seen the end of his acting career. 

Aaron Paul

Packing up his car for the 800-odd drive to L.A from Idaho, Paul was embarking on a journey he could never forsee, kicking off with his first big role: Amanda Seyfried’s boyfriend in HBO’s Big Love. That earned him around $600. His parents had to fit the bill for his rent, three months in a row. Luckily, his relationship with his mother and father was better than Jesse’s with his. 

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Paul’s relationship with Jesse, though, is one of gratitude and affection. The character has brought with it a slew of awards, accolades, kind words and a bright future. Between starring in blockbuster movies and turning everybodys’ Xboxes on, Paul is Hollywood’s hottest property at the moment. 

“I love Jesse,” he explained to The Guardian. “I loved playing him, I miss him. My favourite job hands down – and I think I can speak for everyone involved – was Breaking Bad. Everyone involved, from top to bottom, we were all running to work. We couldn’t wait to get there, we were all very proud to be a part of it. It was so good.”

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Having recently teamed up with Cranston – the man he claims gave him “everyday masterclass in acting” – for this Emmy’s spoof, Paul is ready and willing to give it full Jesse in the upcoming Breaking Bad spin-off, Better Call Saul.  “I wish I could tell you something exciting, but honestly there is nothing happening with me and that show,” he said.  “I would love to be a part of it. Who knows if or when that’s going to happen, but that’s definitely out in the open in the writers’ room.”

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