Giancarlo Esposito, known for his roles in “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul” and “The Mandalorian,” will speak at this semester’s University Lecture Series (ULS) Tuesday night.

The event will take place at the Marshall Student Center (MSC) Grand Ballroom. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., with the lecture set to begin at 8 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. 

ULS is hosted by the Center for Student Involvement and is funded by the Activities and Service Fees in all USF students’ tuition. Esposito received $45,000 to speak at ULS this semester, according to Hannah Sutherland, Center for Student Involvement (CSI) Coordinator.

Compared to ULS speakers in the past, Esposito was paid slightly less than others. Chris Olson, the previous ULS speaker, was paid $50,000 for his lecture, according to The Oracle.

Related: Don’t let your dreams die’: TikToker Chris Olsen opens up about online success, mental health

Admission is free for USF students and non-USF students, but students will be prioritized for seats, which will be given on a first-come basis. 

Students can RSVP for the lecture on BullsConnect. As of Monday night, 231 students are registered to attend.

All USF students must have a valid student ID and will form a line separate from non-USF students. 

The venue will allocate 80% of seating for USF students, who can enter once doors open. The remaining 20% of seating will be allocated to guests, who can enter 15 minutes after USF students.

During the lecture, Esposito will discuss embracing his bi-racial identity and how it has shaped his career in acting. Students will also have the opportunity to ask Esposito questions.

Esposito’s career reached a pivot in 2009 when he was cast as Gus Fring in “Breaking Bad,” a role for which he won the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Award at the 2012 Critics’ Choice. He was also nominated for an Emmy in the same category in 2012.

Esposito reprised his role as Gus Fring in the “Breaking Bad” prequel series, “Better Call Saul,” for which he was nominated for another two Emmys. He was also nominated for two Emmys for his role in “The Mandalorian” in 2020 and 2021.

He began his career at just seven years old when he began recording radio commercials. In 1968, he made his Broadway debut in the musical “Maggie Flynn.”

Esposito went on to play starring roles in other movies directed by director Spike Lee, like “Malcolm X” (1992) and “Do the Right Thing” (1989). At the time, Esposito struggled with stereotypical casting that confined him to roles as criminals and gangsters, according to The Washington Post.

Recently, Esposito published his first graphic novel called “The Venetian.” He spends his free time playing the saxophone, riding his motorcycle and enjoying yoga, according to his website. He supports various charities, including Kids for Peace & World Merit USA and the Waterkeeper Alliance.

“To be a character actor is to be open, to be a chameleon,” Esposito said in an interview with AMC for “Breaking Bad.”