Breaking Bad: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

Breaking Bad (2008–2013), created by Vince Gilligan, is a critically acclaimed neo-Western crime drama series aired on AMC, set in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It follows Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine kingpin after a lung cancer diagnosis, and his former student Jesse Pinkman as they navigate the drug trade.

The show won 16 Emmys, grossed millions through syndication and streaming (notably on Netflix), and holds a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Its spin-offs, Better Call Saul and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, extended its legacy.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Bryan Cranston as Walter White / Heisenberg

Role: Cranston plays Walter White, a struggling chemistry teacher who, after a Stage III lung cancer diagnosis, partners with Jesse to cook high-purity blue meth to secure his family’s future.

His transformation into the ruthless Heisenberg is iconic, earning Cranston four Emmys and a Golden Globe.

Critics praised his “generational” performance for blending tragedy and menace.

• Net Worth: $40 million to $62 million
• Height: 5’10” (1.79 m)
• Family: Born March 7, 1956, in Hollywood, California, to Audrey Peggy Sell, a radio actress, and Joe Cranston, an actor and boxer. He has two siblings, Kyle and Amy Cranston. His father left when he was 11, reconnecting at 22, influencing his Breaking Bad performance
• Relationships: Married to Mickey Middleton (1977–1982). Married to Robin Dearden since 1989; they have one daughter, Taylor Dearden (born 1993), who had a cameo in Breaking Bad season 3

Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman

• Role: Paul plays Jesse Pinkman, Walt’s former student and meth-cooking partner, a small-time dealer whose emotional depth and loyalty make him a fan favorite. His arc from slacker to tragic figure earned three Emmys. He reprised the role in El Camino (2019) and Better Call Saul (2022). Critics called his performance “heart-wrenching.”
• Net Worth: $20 million to $30 million
• Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m)
• Family: Born August 27, 1979, in Emmett, Idaho, to Darla and Robert Sturtevant, a Baptist minister. He has four siblings: Danielle, Jesse, Mandy, and Chris Sturtevant
• Relationships: Married to Lauren Parsekian since 2013; they have a daughter, Story Annabelle (born 2018), and a son, Ryden Caspian (born 2022). Cranston is Ryden’s godfather. Paul has a “no half measures” Breaking Bad tattoo

Anna Gunn as Skyler White

• Role: Gunn plays Skyler White, Walt’s wife, who evolves from a suspicious homemaker to a complicit money-launderer via a car wash scheme. Her complex role drew fan backlash, prompting a New York Times op-ed. She won two Emmys for her “commanding” performance.
• Net Worth: $9 million to $10 million
• Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m)
• Family: Born August 11, 1968, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Sharon Peters and Clemens Gunn Jr. Raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with one sister, Molly Gunn
• Relationships: Married to Alastair Duncan (1990–2009); they have two daughters, Eila Rose (born 2001) and Emma Duncan (born 2004). Single as of 2025

Dean Norris as Hank Schrader

• Role: Norris plays Hank Schrader, Walt’s DEA agent brother-in-law, whose pursuit of Heisenberg creates dramatic irony. His “Schraderbrau” beer hobby led to a real-life brand in 2019. Critics praised his “authentic” shift from comic relief to tragic hero.
• Net Worth: $5 million to $8 million
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m)
• Family: Born April 8, 1963, in South Bend, Indiana, to Jack and Rosemarie Norris. He has four siblings: Connie, Eddie, Nancy, and Nikki Norris
• Relationships: Married to Bridget Norris since 2001; they have five children

Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader

• Role: Brandt plays Marie, Skyler’s kleptomaniac sister and Hank’s wife, whose purple obsession and emotional support for Hank add depth. Her “vibrant” performance complemented the show’s tension.
• Net Worth: $4 million to $6 million
• Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m)
• Family: Born March 14, 1973, in Bay City, Michigan, to Janet and Gary Brandt, a teacher. She has no known siblings
• Relationships: Married to Grady Olsen since 1997; they have two children, one born during Breaking Bad season 2

RJ Mitte as Walter “Flynn” White Jr.

• Role: Mitte plays Walt Jr., Walt’s teenage son with cerebral palsy, whose strained relationship with his father reflects family fallout. Like his character, Mitte has milder cerebral palsy, adding authenticity. His role was “polarizing” but impactful.
• Net Worth: $2.5 million to $3 million
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m)
• Family: Born August 21, 1992, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Roy Mitte and Dyna Mitte. He has a younger sister, Lacianne Carriere, an actress. Moved to Hollywood in 2006
• Relationships: Dating Kennedy Blaire since 2022. No children

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman

• Role: Odenkirk plays Saul Goodman, Walt and Jesse’s sleazy lawyer, whose wit and resourcefulness made him a fan favorite. Introduced in season 2, he led Better Call Saul (2015–2022). His “sharp” performance earned four Emmy nominations.
• Net Worth: $16 million
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m)
• Family: Born October 22, 1962, in Berwyn, Illinois, to Barbara and Walter Odenkirk. He has six siblings: Bill, Steve, and four others unnamed
• Relationships: Married to Naomi Yomtov since 1997; they have two children, Nathan and Erin Odenkirk

Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut

• Role: Banks plays Mike, Gus’s stoic fixer and ex-cop, whose loyalty and tragic past shine in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Initially a guest role, his “grizzled” performance made him a mainstay.
• Net Worth: $8 million
• Height: 5’9″ (1.74 m)
• Family: Born January 31, 1947, in Washington, D.C., to Elena Adams Banks, a former CIA employee. No siblings reported. He has a son, Matt, and a granddaughter, Kaylee, from his first marriage
• Relationships: Married to Marnie Fausett since 1990; they have twins, Joanna and Claudio. Previously married to an unnamed woman (divorced)

Giancarlo Esposito as Gustavo “Gus” Fring

• Role: Esposito plays Gus Fring, a calculating drug lord and Los Pollos Hermanos owner, whose calm demeanor masks ruthlessness. His Emmy-nominated role in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul is “chillingly perfect.”
• Net Worth: $8 million
• Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m)
• Family: Born April 26, 1958, in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Giovanni Esposito, an Italian stagehand, and Elizabeth Foster, an African-American singer. He has one brother, Vincent Esposito. Raised in Manhattan, New York
• Relationships: Married to Joy McManigal (1995–2015); they have four daughters: Shayne, Kale, Syrlucia, and Ruby Esposito. Single as of 2025

Jesse Plemons as Todd Alquist

• Role: Plemons plays Todd, a sociopathic meth cook working for Gus and later Walt, introduced in season 5. Nicknamed “Meth Damon” for his Matt Damon resemblance, his “cold-blooded” role continued in El Camino.
• Net Worth: $15 million
• Height: 5’10” (1.78 m)
• Family: Born April 2, 1988, in Dallas, Texas, to Lisa and Jim Bob Plemons. He has one sister, Jill Plemons
• Relationships: Married to Kirsten Dunst since 2022 (partner since 2016); they have two sons, Ennis (born 2018) and James (born 2021). Met on Fargo season 2

Additional Notes

Salaries: Cranston earned $225,000 per episode in seasons 4–5, totaling $6.53 million, while Paul earned $200,000 per episode ($5.8 million).

Gunn earned $75,000 per episode, Norris up to $225,000 in season 5, Esposito $65,000, and Odenkirk $25,000 initially.

The show’s $3–6 million per episode budget reflected rising cast costs.

Impact and Legacy: Breaking Bad’s 62 episodes redefined TV with its antihero narrative, winning 16 Emmys and a 2013 Guinness World Record for most critically acclaimed show.

Its Netflix availability boosted viewership, especially for seasons 4–5.

Better Call Saul and El Camino kept the universe alive, with Cranston and Paul reprising roles.

The show inspired real-world “blue meth” seizures and a Los Pollos Hermanos pop-up.

Post-Show Careers: Cranston starred in Your Honor and Broadway.

Paul led Westworld and Truth Be Told.

Gunn focused on theater and Sully.

Odenkirk headlined Better Call Saul and Nobody.

Esposito thrived in The Mandalorian and The Boys.

Banks and Norris continued in Better Call Saul, while Mitte advocated for disability representation.

Plemons earned Oscar nods.

Cultural Influence: The series’ exploration of morality, family, and power resonated globally.

Iconic moments like Walt’s “I am the one who knocks” and the pizza-on-the-roof scene (prompting Gilligan to ask fans to stop recreating it) became cultural touchstones.

The cast’s chemistry, especially Cranston and Paul, drove its enduring fandom.

Conclusion

The Breaking Bad cast, from Cranston’s transformative Walt to Paul’s tragic Jesse, delivered performances that elevated the series to a cultural juggernaut.

Their net worths, ranging from $2.5 million (Mitte) to $40–62 million (Cranston), reflect diverse careers in film, TV, theater, and business.

Their personal lives, from Cranston’s stable marriage to Esposito’s global upbringing, add depth to their roles.

Breaking Bad’s legacy endures through its spin-offs, critical acclaim, and influence on modern TV storytelling.