On the 29th July 2022 two new statues were revealed to the world. It took place in Albuquerque (ABQ), New Mexico and the statues were in honour of two of the greatest TV characters ever, Walter White/Heisenberg and Jesse Pinkman, and they were unveiled by the actor’s who played them, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul!
An amazing tribute to an amazing duo
I’m not sure how many statues exist that represent fictional but iconic characters from the world of TV or film. I know there is one of Rocky, that springs to mind immediately. A quick google search confirms this, but also shows me that other notable statues exist of Captain James T Kirk, Columbo, Chen Zhen (Bruce Lee), Charlie Chaplin and Napoleon Dynamite. It’s not a long list (I’m sure I’ve missed a few), and I didn’t include superheros or animated characters because I’m thinking about statues that represent an actual actor. Those cast in bronze to celebrate one of their characters. It’s really not an honour bestowed on that many people.
There’s no preparation for saying you’re getting a statue
Bryan Cranston, 29th July 2022.
Why are there sculptures at all?
In the modern world why are statues/sculptures still a thing? Isn’t that something that is more a thing of the past? Not at all. Sculptures represent a moment in time, it’s a lasting tribute that should stand the passing of time, and act as a perminant reminder of the past, for those in the future to always remember.
Breaking Bad is worthy of being remembered, not just for being a great TV show, one of the best worldwide, but because of what it did for it’s home town, Albuquerque.
The central purpose of sculptures and all works of art is to send a message. Artists create sculptures to express ideas, convey religious beliefs, and tell the story of significant figures in history and even mythological adventures.
The above text is an explanation for the purpose of sculptures. The Breaking Bad sculptures were created by the artist TREVOR GROVE. He is described as a big Breaking Bad fan, who after getting noticed by the production team for producing brilliant smaller sculptures, was approached by Vince Gilligan and commissioned to make lifesized bronzes of Walter White, and also Jesse Pinkman. It’s said he’d never worked to that size before, or worked with bronze, so knowing that only makes the final product even more amazing.
Vince Gilligan’s gift to Albuquerque
The reason the sculptures exist is a sweet gesture by Vince Gilligan to thank Albuquerque for providing both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul a perfect working environment for 15 years. He wanted to give something back to the amazing people, some of whom worked on the show alongside him.
No doubt some folks will say ‘wow, just what our city needed’ (statues of two infamous fictional meth dealers) I get that. Let me tell you what I see, when I looked at these two works of art. I see two of the finest actors America has ever produced. I see them in character as two larger than life tragic figures, cautionary tales and world-famous ones at that and I remember all 62 episodes that made them world famous were created right here in the Duke city by many of its very own citizens.
Vince Gilligan, 29 July 2022
Walt & Jesse together, forever… in bronze.
We’re humbled by this. We’re delighted. Slightly embarrassed to have a statue of you. When they first came to me to say we want to make two statues of you, I thought fantastic ‘Heisenberg and Walter White’. But you know, Jesse was important too.
Bryan Cranston, 29th July 2022.
As mentioned above, the honour of having something you have done immortalised in bronze as a work of art for others to enjoy is a huge deal. For Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul the moment clearly is not lost on them going by their speeches giving on the day of the unveiling.
Aaron spoke about how Breaking Bad literally changed his life, and his time in Albuquerque represented a huge part of his life.
I’m going to try and get through this without becoming too emotional. When I auditioned for Breaking Bad I walked into such a warm room. It was Vince and Melissa Bernstein. I could already feel they were in my corner before I even started to read my lines. You saved my career, you really did. It was the worst point in my entire career, I was struggling to pay my bills. My parents, who are here. Love you guys, I had to ask them and I’d never asked them for a penny in my life, I was forced to ask them if they could possibly pay my rent for three months. They did! Thank you! Then I auditioned for Breaking Bad and it completely changed my life so thank you so much, thank you ABQ! My god, we were here 7 years right, on and off? 7 years such a huge part of my life, I see so many familiar faces here in the audience, I miss you all!
Aaron Paul, 29th July 2022.
This little show in the desert became this phenomenal success and thank you to all of us, all of us had a hand in it, and putting the city of ABQ which was not just a location, you weren’t just the host you were a character in the show and we, from the bottom of our hearts, we really, truly thank you all so much, thank you.
Bryan Cranston, 29th July 2022.
Giving back to the city that is BrBa’s home
As part of the celebrations and to mark their return to ABQ, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul appeared at Isotopes Park, home of the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Minor League Baseball team for their game against the Las Vegas Aviators.
The night proved to be a great success with the Breaking Bad auction, supported with items kindly donated by Cranston and Paul themselves managed to raise in excess of an amazing $100,000! The money raised is going straight back into the local community through two worthy charities – New Mexico Veterans Integration Centers and Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico.
Congratulations: Legends
It’s been really fun to watch the news rolling in over the two days of celebrations. From the reveal of the two statues, watching the videos and then finally finding out about the great success of the silent auction and the fun being at at Isotopes Park.
The statues are stunning, simply amazing work by Trevor Grove. I’m already working out plans for how I can see these sculptures for myself one day, and that, I feel is somewhat the point. One clear message that came out from the speeches is that these are a gift to the city that played such a huge part in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Had I heard of Albuquerque before I watched Breaking Bad? I live in the United Kingdom, and no, I had never heard of it, let alone considered ever visiting. I knew the ‘name’, it featured in a song I liked in the 80’s by Deacon Blue, the line was ‘Hot Dog, Jumping Frog, Albuquerque…’ that was my only reference pre-Breaking Bad.
Now I’m determined to one day visit the city, show my own thanks to it’s citizens with my tourist dollars. I have a distant fondness for ABQ, through my love of BrBa and BCS, and I can’t wait to one day visit, and see these statues for myself! I’m sure I’m not alone.
Congratulations to Bryan Cranston and of course to Aaron Paul, everything about this is so well deserved, you are both legends and now it’s forever cast in bronze for years to come.
