Breaking Bad’s Top 20 Characters: A Definitive Ranking

As a huge fan of cinema and TV, I have to say that Vince Gilligan really knocked it out of the park with Breaking Bad. He gave us some truly unforgettable characters, and Walter White, the main guy, is honestly one of the best television characters ever – right up there with legends like Tony Soprano and Homer Simpson. But Walt isn’t the only one; the show is packed with so many other characters you won’t forget.

Gilligan is a fantastic writer – his recent work on Pluribus proves it – and he created supporting characters in Breaking Bad who are almost as compelling as Walter White himself. Characters like Gus Fring, who many consider the best villain in television history, and Saul Goodman, who delivers some of the show’s funniest moments, are incredibly well-developed, complex, and even sympathetic.

20. Steven Gomez

Steven Gomez, Hank’s colleague at the DEA, provided both humor and a strong moral compass throughout the series. Steve is an honest and dedicated law enforcement officer who generally follows procedure and simply wants to see criminals brought to justice. He represents a genuine hero, in stark contrast to Walt.

Steven Michael Quezada is a very talented actor, and he’s incredibly likable. But his scenes with Dean Norris were especially strong – they had a believable, long-standing friendship, complete with the easy, unspoken understanding that comes from years of close companionship.

19. Skinny Pete

While often funny, Jesse’s friends Badger and Skinny Pete also offered him valuable support and a chance to think things through. He couldn’t really trust Walt, who was always trying to control and deceive him. With Badger and Skinny Pete, though, Jesse felt like the one in charge and could be himself.

Badger stands out more as a character due to his humorous dialogue and the actor’s quirky performance, but Skinny Pete is genuinely kind-hearted. This is especially apparent in El Camino, when he tells Jesse, “You’re my hero, and that’s the truth.”

18. Hector Salamanca

We first encountered Hector Salamanca unable to speak, communicating only by ringing a bell while in his wheelchair. While Better Call Saul later developed his story in more detail, Breaking Bad gave viewers a strikingly memorable first impression of him.

Mark Margolis is a master of nonverbal acting. He expertly uses his body language to communicate powerful emotions like intense anger or deep sadness, often without uttering a single line of dialogue. His character, Hector, also provides much of the show’s comedy, known for his unexpectedly blunt and humorous outbursts – like his memorable phrase, “S-U-C-K M-Y D…”

17. Andrea Cantillo

Throughout Breaking Bad, Jesse Pinkman repeatedly faced tragedy with those he cared about. His first significant girlfriend died of a heroin overdose, and unfortunately, that wasn’t the last of his heartbreak. Andrea Cantillo experienced a particularly unfair fate, but she was a kind and supportive presence in Jesse’s life while she was around.

Jesse felt like he had a family with Andrea and Brock, and he was truly happy when he was with Andrea. It was heartbreaking when she tragically passed away.

16. Gale Boetticher

David Costabile is a familiar face, appearing in many critically acclaimed TV shows. You might recognize him from roles in series like The Wire, Damages, The Office, Flight of the Conchords, and notably, Breaking Bad.

Gale Boetticher shares a lot of similarities with Walter White. Like Walt, he’s a brilliant chemistry enthusiast who understands how to make money from it. However, Gale lacks Walt’s capacity for cruelty. While Walt is driven by a dangerous, pent-up energy, Gale is more easygoing and harmless – like the difference between a wild animal and a well-behaved pet.

15. Patrick Kuby

Patrick Kuby is a highly skilled con artist who works with Saul Goodman. He’s like an actor, but instead of performing on stage, he plays different roles to help with crimes and scams, adapting to whatever part is needed for each job.

He pretended to be an environmental inspector to pressure Bogdan into selling the car wash, and he convincingly played a stranded motorist during the train robbery. Because Kuby is a relentlessly challenging and quick-witted character, Bill Burr was perfectly cast in the role.

14. Jane Margolis

While Jane Margolis wasn’t always a good match for Jesse, Krysten Ritter and Aaron Paul had the strongest connection of all Jesse’s romantic partners. Jesse was deeply in love with Jane, and their relationship brought both joy and trouble to his life.

Jane had a huge impact on Jesse, opening his eyes to new things and helping him see how Walt was controlling him. She pushed him to be more assertive. However, she also led him down a path of heroin addiction, making her a deeply destructive force in his life. Their relationship was incredibly complex and full of conflict, which created a lot of tension and drama.

13. Walt, Jr.

Walt Jr. remained unaware of his father’s criminal activities for most of the series, only learning the truth near the very end. Despite this, he was a compelling character, serving as a moral contrast to his father’s actions and providing a sense of innocence.

Even at his worst, Walter could still connect with his son on a personal level. He wasn’t a perfect dad, not by a long shot, but he genuinely tried to be a good father to Walt Jr.

12. Tuco Salamanca

Tuco Salamanca was the first villain on Breaking Bad who really stood out. He introduced Walt and Jesse to the dangerous world of drug trafficking, and he was the first major criminal to start selling their signature blue meth.

The character of Tuco had to be written out of the show when Raymond Cruz, the actor who played him, needed to return to his role on the TV series The Closer. Despite appearing in only a few episodes, Cruz created a memorable and chilling portrayal of the drug lord.

11. Badger

Whenever Badger appeared on screen, Matt Jones would always deliver a hilariously quirky performance. Some memorable moments include Badger celebrating a drug high with an impromptu tap dance in Jesse’s living room, and launching into lengthy, passionate discussions about Star Trek and zombies.

One of the most memorable opening scenes in Breaking Bad features Badger. His conversation with the undercover police officer on a park bench is a compelling and well-executed exchange that reaches a satisfying conclusion.

2025-12-22 04:00