When one looks back over the impressive film and TV career that The Mandalorian's Giancarlo Esposito has built up over the years, one doesn't come across a ton of happy-go-lucky rube characters living carefree lives. Especially after Breaking Bad solidified him as a must-cast actor, Esposito has become very well known for playing intelligent and morally questionable heavies that you do not want to fuck around with. It appears he's so convincing in these roles that many people are sincerely surprised to learn that he's not at peak intensity 100% of the time.
Since becoming a pop culture superstar, Giancarlo Esposito has become a regular at San Diego Comic-Con and lots of other fan-heavy expos, not to mention just meeting people in his every day life. So he's had more than his share of experiences meeting people in awe of his work. And the way he puts it, some people are even disappointed that he isn't danger incarnate like Gus Fring and Mandalorian's Moff Gideon. Here's how Esposito put it while on Late Night with Seth Meyers:
You know, I’ve got so many stories about people meeting me on the street and they’re afraid to approach me, especially if I have a very stern attitude. And so it’s nice to be on your show and reveal who I really am. And some people are disappointed by that. I have a lightness of being that I enjoy and if you’re disappointed – [affects villain voice] – it’s too bad.
Now why would anyone want to meet up with Giancarlo Esposito if they expect him to be as cold and ruthless as a drug kingpin? Well okay, maybe not ruthless, but steely and murderous as a Galactic Empire stooge. Well, okay, maybe not murderous, but harsh and murderous as... Oh, crap, there's that word again. Please don't kill me, Moff Gideon! [clears throat and fixes tie]
Having interviewed him multiple times myself, I fully endorse Giancarlo Esposito as truly being one of the most enjoyably breezy and fun-loving actors out there. And though he doesn't reflect the dark nature that his characters are often imbued with, he definitely shares their intelligence. So hearing him talk about Star Wars or superheroes is like hearing a friend geek out about such things, and it's what one might wish was the case for everyone in showbiz, though that is certainly not how it always goes.
So for anyone who happens to run into Giancarlo Esposito somewhere in the future, take heed in knowing that he's a genial person who won't smother you to death with a plastic bag, Gus Fring-style, regardless of how stern-faced he might look at the time. However, if he happens to be carrying a darksaber when you see him, then run away as fast as you possibly can, and protect The Child at all costs!
You can check out the clip from Late Night with Seth Meyers below.
Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon only recently returned to The Mandalorian, so be sure to check him out in the rest of Season 2 when new episodes hit Disney+ on Fridays at 3:01 a.m. ET. While waiting to head back out into other galaxies, head to our Summer 2020 TV premiere schedule and our 2021 Winter and Spring TV rundown.
