Giancarlo Esposito will discuss his nearly five-decade career as an acclaimed film, television and stage actor, director and producer. An arts and education advocate, he will share his journey to become a quality thespian while confronting the hurdles many people of color face when breaking into the industry. Speaking candidly about learning to embrace his racial identity as part of his acting identity, this moderated talk format event with Jason Loewith, Artistic Director at Olney Theatre Center, leading the discussion, will be thought-provoking and inspiring as Mr. Esposito redefines success and encourages the audience to pursue what they love.

Esposito is well known by television audiences for his portrayal of drug kingpin Gustavo “Gus” Fring in AMC’s critically acclaimed award-winning series Breaking Bad, for which he won the 2012 Critics Choice Award and received a 2012 Emmy nomination. He reprised his role in AMC’s critically acclaimed and Emmy® nominated prequel Better Call Saul. He also stars in The Mandalorian series, part of the Star Wars franchise, as Moff Gideon.

Esposito appeared in the second and third installments of the action franchise The Maze Runner, and other film credits include The Last Holiday, Okja, Do the Right Thing, Waiting to Exhale, The Gift, King of New York and Cotton Club. He made his directorial debut with the film Gospel Hill, in which he co-starred, and he also directed and starred in The Show. An actor of both stage and screen, Esposito’s Broadway credits include Storefront Church, Merrily We Roll Along, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.