Warning: This article discusses topics of suicide.
Breaking Bad’s Saul Goodman is a prominent character in the world of television, but many don’t realize that four different actors have portrayed him. Saul Goodman, or Jimmy McGill, is one ofthe best characters from theBreaking Baduniverse. The Albuquerque lawyer may be shifty, but audiences consistently fall in love with Saul Goodman time and time again.
Goodman is also the star of two spin-offs that are set throughouttheBreaking Badtimeline,Better Call SaulandSlippin’ Jimmy, which expands his backstory further.The small details inBetter Call Saulprovide more context to how the once sweet Jimmy McGill turns into the suspicious Saul Goodman, whereasSlippin’ Jimmytreats viewers to his strange adventures in animated form. Although Bob Odenkirk is best known for playing the legendary Saul Goodman, there are actually three other actors who also play the character.
4Bob Odenkirk
The Original And Best Known Saul Goodman
Bob Odenkirk is the first ofthe four actors who have played Saul Goodman, and he is who audiences think of when the character’s name is mentioned. Odenkirk makes his debut as Goodman in theBreaking Badseason 2 episode “Better Call Saul.”The actor’s career has been plentiful since his start writing forSaturday Night Livein the ‘80s,and he’s proved himself just as talented in both comedic and dramatic roles.
Odenkirk is known for creating and starring inMr. Show with Bob and David. He is also remembered for playing Ross inNebraska, Arthur Hobbs inHow I Met Your Mother, and Robert March in Greta Gerwig’sLittle Women.
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Theiconic TV character was originally written as a minor role, but Goodman is later promoted to a series regular. However, it’s no surprise thatBob Odenkirk’sBreaking Badrolebecame permanent, thanks to the actor’s charm, quick wit, and general understanding of the character. Whether he’s offering Walter White and Jesse Pinkman legal advice or reflecting on his upbringing and the events that led him to become Goodman, Odenkirk adapts to the context beautifully.
In bothBreaking BadandBetter Call Saul, Odenkirk’s comic timing is stellar.He is amazing at layering humor into Goodman’s mannerisms, but when he needs to be somber, the actor switches the tone with ease.Saul Goodman’s best quotesare a perfect mix of funny and dramatic, which shines a light on the complexities of the character.
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Odenkirk is frequently celebrated for his performances inBreaking Bad’s spin-off, which have earned the actor six Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series,but especially inBetter Call Saul’s season 6 ending. The show’s exciting climax sees Odenkirk at his best, and it is a brilliant way to wrap up the character’s story. “Saul Gone” is one ofthe bestBetter Call Saulepisodes. The black-and-white sequences show Goodman embracing the remaining parts of Jimmy inside him, which allows Odenkirk to demonstrate how powerful an actor he is.
3Blake Bertrand
Teenage Jimmy From Better Call Saul
Blake Bertrand plays a 13-year-old Jimmy McGill in theBetter Call Saulseason 2 episode “Inflatable.” The young actor has loaned his voice to the animated TV showGravity Falls, and he is also the brother ofCobra Kai’s Jacob Bertrand. Bertrand appears in a flashback scene, in which he is avoiding working in his father’s store and spots a customer trying to steal from the till, which ends up beinga defining moment inBetter Call Saul.
Bertrand’s performance, while limited, marks a memorable moment in Jimmy’s lifeand plays a part in him becoming Saul Goodman. The conman tells Jimmy that he needs to figure out whether he is one of the “wolves [or] sheep in this world,” which is a hint to his fate as the sleazy lawyer. Although this is only a brief scene, it’s fascinating how these small details impact Jimmy’s journey.
2Cole Whitaker
Child Jimmy From Better Call Saul
An even younger Jimmy, this time only five years old, appears in another flashback scene in theBetter Call Saulseason 3 episode “Lantern.” This version of the character is portrayed by Cole Whitaker, who has since starred inFear the Walking Deadas Tess and Ben’s son. In the opening scene of the episode, Jimmy camps in his backyard with Chuck, and the two read together by the light of a lantern.
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Whitaker’s short appearance on-screen results in a sweet moment between the two brothers,but it also foreshadows the end of the episode.Chuck’s suicide inBetter Call Saulseason 3is shocking, especially as he starts the fire that kills him with a lantern identical to the one from the flashback. Although Chuck is an adult when he dies, it’s hard not to think of the sweet child Jimmy reading with his brother when this happens.
1Sean Giambrone
The Animated Jimmy From Slippin' Jimmy
Inthe secondBreaking Badspin-off,Slippin' Jimmy, Sean Giambrone voices Jimmy McGill. While Giambrone’s voice acting career has got him roles in the likes ofSolar Opposites,Adventure Time, andJurassic World: Chaos Theory,the actor is best known for portraying Adam in the sitcomThe Goldbergs.
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Slippin' Jimmy’s reviews are generally quite negative, mainly because there’s a massive shift in tone compared toBetter Call SaulandBreaking Bad, but Giambrone still does a decent job at bringing Jimmy’s adventures in 1970s Chicago to life. Even though the execution of the show isn’t great, and it feels rather rushed, Giambrone’s voice acting talents are one of its better qualities.
Breaking Bad
Cast
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul follows small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the legal world to make ends meet. The series, set six years before his encounter with Walter White, chronicles Jimmy’s evolution into Saul Goodman, with notable interactions alongside fixer Mike Ehrmantraut.
Better Call Saul Presents: Slippin' Jimmy
This animated series explores the early misadventures of young Jimmy McGill and his friends in Chicago. Styled after classic 70s-era cartoons, each episode pays homage to various film genres, including spaghetti westerns and silent comedies, creating a comedic backdrop for their escapades.
