'That's insane to me': Aaron Paul joins SAG-AFTRA strike as he slams Netflix for zero 'Breaking Bad' residuals
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Aaron Paul, renowned for his portrayal of Jesse Pinkman in the iconic series 'Breaking Bad' earned a remarkable $150,000 per episode, but he recently unveiled a rather unexpected truth.
Paul revealed he hasn't earned a single dollar in residuals from his role in 'Breaking Bad' despite the enduring triumph of the show.
At the age of 44, the actor divulged this revelation during his participation in a demonstration alongside his former cast members outside Sony Pictures in California.
As reported, Aaron Paul’s co-star and the series' leading protagonist, Bryan Cranston, took home an impressive $225,000 per episode.
Aaron Paul makes bombshell revelation about Netflix
Aaron Paul revealed the damning news while picketing outside Sony Pictures in California alongside his former co-stars.
Paul said, "I don't get a piece from Netflix on Breaking Bad to be totally honest and that's insane to me," as per Daily Mail.
He further added, "Shows live forever on these streamers and it goes through waves. I saw just the other day that Breaking Bad was trending on Netflix…"
Has Aaron Paul joined the SAG-AFTRA protest?
Paul joined a united front in support of SAG-AFTRA, which initiated its strike on July 14, aligning itself with the Writers' Guild, already in the midst of a strike since May.
In unison, these unions are championing a vital cause, advocating for measures concerning residual compensation and addressing the growing integration of AI in the realm of production.
Speaking with ET Canada, Paul said, “It's such common sense and I think a lot of these streamers, they know they've been getting away with not paying people fair wage and now it's time to pony up."
When did Aaron Paul join 'Breaking Bad'?
Following his appearances in various television roles, Aaron Paul's career reached a pivotal turning point when he landed the role of Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series 'Breaking Bad' in 2008.
Initially intended for only a single season, the character's fate took an unexpected turn, courtesy of series creator Vince Gilligan, who was swayed by the exceptional chemistry between Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston.
When did 'Breaking Bad' start and end?
Debuting in January 2008, 'Breaking Bad' marked a significant milestone as the second original series ever to premiere on AMC, following the critically acclaimed 'Mad Men'. However, the show ended in 2013 after Season 5.
The immensely popular drama, spanning five seasons, revolved around the transformation of Walter White, a 50-year-old science teacher, as he descended into the intricate world of narcotics.
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The resounding success of 'Breaking Bad' gave rise to the adored spin-off, 'Better Call Saul', featuring Bob Odenkirk in the role of the enigmatic lawyer, Jimmy McGill, who later adopts the alias, Saul Goodman.