Hyderabad: Hollywood actor Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his iconic role as Gus Fring in the hit television series Breaking Bad, has opened up about his decision to convert to Islam and the experiences that led him to embrace the faith.
The actor, who recently recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, said his visits to Saudi Arabia and Morocco had a profound impact on him. According to Esposito, witnessing the devotion of people towards their religion and Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) played a major role in his spiritual journey.
Speaking to the media after his conversion, Esposito reflected on what drew him towards Islam.
“Well, it deepens me to come to an country where people have devotion. For me devotion is everything. To be devoted and understand that there is only one God, one Allah… In these countries, Muhammad is everything… For me, it’s same,” he said.
Giancarlo Esposito explained that the strong sense of faith and spirituality he observed during his travels left a lasting impression on him.
“I feel the same way in a country that has devotion to goodness, grace and God energy… So it changed my life…” he added.
Esposito also spoke about the importance of inner peace and how it shapes the world around us. “Peace comes from within… If you become peaceful, the world around you becomes peaceful…”
He further said, “If you don’t have peace inside, we’ll never have peace outside.” Watch the video below.
Conversion Confirmed By Turki Al-Sheikh
The news of Giancarlo Esposito’s conversion was first shared by Turki Al-Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
In a social media post, Al-Sheikh revealed that the actor had recited the Shahada and later joined members of a Saudi production team in prayer at a mosque.
According to Al-Sheikh, Esposito’s decision followed a positive experience during his time in Saudi Arabia, where he interacted closely with local communities and members of the film industry.
Giancarlo Esposito’s Video Goes Viral
A video shared on social media showed Esposito praying alongside members of the production team inside a mosque. The footage quickly gained traction online and was widely shared across social media platforms.
The caption accompanying the video read: “7 Dogs and Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito recited the Shahada (declaration of faith) and joined his cast and crew in prayer at a mosque yesterday after expressing his satisfaction with the interaction with Muslims during filming in Saudi Arabia. The video shows him yesterday with employees of the Saleh Company. Praise be to God.”
More About Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Esposito has enjoyed a successful career spanning several decades across film and television. He gained worldwide recognition for portraying the calculating drug kingpin Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul.
His impressive body of work also includes acclaimed projects such as The Mandalorian, The Boys, Godfather of Harlem and Do the Right Thing.
Over the years, Esposito has earned widespread praise for his performances and has received multiple award nominations, making him one of the most respected actors in the entertainment industry.
