Playing both cops and robbers

Giancarlo Esposito strikes an imposing figure from both sides of the law, whether he's playing troublemaker Buggin Out in "Do the Right Thing" or put-upon agent Mike Giardello in "Homicide: Life on the Street."

His latest role as an ethical crime boss/chicken-shack manager on AMC's "Breaking Bad" allows him to show off shades of good and evil, even more so in the new season, which starts Sunday, with his character becoming more pivotal to the story line.

Esposito, 52, talked to us from his Connecticut home, where he's supervising rewrites for a movie he plans to direct, about some of his most noted TV and movie performances:

Gustavo "Gus" Fring, "Breaking Bad," AMC (2011- )

I wasn't planning on acting right now, but I loved the script and the idea of playing a bad guy who's not just despicable. He's well-rounded and a thinker, someone who harnesses his emotions.

I did five episodes of "Miami Vice," playing a different character each time, and I noticed how Edward James Olmos was almost flat-line when he spoke. I took some clues from that.

I also learned from George C. Scott to make the camera come to you, and not you come to it. That approach allows you to be quieter and act with your face.

That was a special occasion for me, because I got to play a guy who was half Italian and half black, which is what I am in real life. It's something you don't normally see on TV.

That show broke new ground, because the camera could pop up anywhere and would come right up to your face. You have to always be ready, whether you're speaking or not.

It helped to be filming in Baltimore. I was able to get a sense of local color, and that really informs your personality. I watch "Treme," and some of the actors seem to be struggling with their accents. That doesn't make sense to me. After a week of going out there and eating and soaking up the culture, you should have it nailed.

FBI agent Jack Baer, "The Usual Suspects" (1995)

I had to read the script three times before I got it. I always felt stupid about that. The writer, Christopher McQuarrie, said he based my character on his father and he wrote it with me in mind. I had to take it. One of my favorite scenes took place on the dock, and I had my character go into the ladies restroom, because he didn't care which bathroom he used. Chris loved that idea.

Detective Paul Gigante, "Bakersfield P.D.," Fox (1993-94)

The primary reason that show didn't work is that it was a single-camera comedy. At the time, audiences didn't understand a concept that didn't have a live audience or a laugh track. Now there's a plethora of them. I also think the material was awkward for Fox, which was just finding itself. Each character was quirky, but you could believe in them. Smart people found it and continue to find it today.

Buggin Out, "Do the Right Thing" (1989)

I had been acting since 1967 and even played a role in "Trading Places," but this movie really put me on the map. Spike Lee was really worried about what I was going to do with my character.

I decided at the last minute that he would have this crazy hair and chunky glasses, because I wanted him to have a weakness. He was a guy with just enough knowledge to make him a loose cannon.

Mickey, "Sesame Street," PBS (1982)

Oh, man. You're the second person to ask me about that in as many days. I played Big Bird's camp counselor. I got a real kick out of working with Caroll Spinney, who would get in that costume every day. There's a real art to what he does. He's not just messing around. It doesn't matter whether the audience sees his face or not. That was a great lesson.