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Emmy-nominated actor, director and producer Giancarlo Esposito will speak at ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ’s Macky Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, a guest of the student-run Distinguished Speakers Board. .

Tickets for "An Evening with Giancarlo Esposito" are $2 for students, $8 for CU faculty and staff, and $15 for the general public. Doors open at 6 p.m. Additional handling fees may apply.

Known for his transformative performances across television, film and stage, Esposito has captivated audiences for more than four decades. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the calculating drug kingpin��Gus Fring in AMC’s��Breaking Bad ���Ի���Better Call Saul, a role that earned him multiple Emmy and Critics’ Choice nominations. His versatility extends to acclaimed turns in��The Mandalorian,��The Boys,��Kaleidoscope ���Ի���Dear White People, as well as his collaborations with director Spike Lee in��Do the Right Thing ���Ի���Malcolm X.

Esposito’s range also reaches into the world of video games — he brought to life the ruthless dictator��Antón Castillo in��Far Cry 6 through voice and motion capture, and has lent his voice to other titles including��Payday 2 ���Ի���Destiny.

Outside of his acting and director work, Esposito lends his support to various charitable organizations that support the arts and education, including the Waterkeeper Alliance, Kids for Peace and World Merit USA. His philosophy of storytelling as a tool for empathy and transformation guides both his on-screen work and his efforts as founder of��Quiet Hand Productions, which develops “conscious content” films designed to uplift and inspire audiences.

Why did the Distinguished Speakers Board choose Giancarlo Esposito to speak at CU?

The board chose Giancarlo Esposito because of his ability to spark meaningful dialogue around creativity, identity and purpose — topics that feel especially relevant to ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ’s campus community. His body of work invites audiences to think critically about morality, power and the roles we play in shaping our world.

Esposito’s career has defied convention: from stage to screen, from art-house cinema to major franchises, he has navigated Hollywood while staying grounded in empathy and authenticity. "We see his story as a powerful example of perseverance and reinvention — one that encourages students to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions with intention," said Cooper Baldwin, chairman of the Distinguished Speakers Board.

More than a performer, Esposito is a storyteller who uses his platform to examine what connects us as people. By bringing him to campus, the Distinguished Speakers Board hopes to open a conversation about character, spirituality, shifting identity and the impact of creative expression in times of change.

What about his work and story will connect with CU students?

Esposito’s conversation will span themes of identity, breaking boundaries through storytelling, creative leadership, human connection and the importance of tenacity. His reflections on navigating Hollywood, directing with purpose and balancing creativity with conscience will offer lessons relevant far beyond the arts.

"For students exploring their own identities and ambitions, Esposito's story underscores the importance of authenticity and perseverance in the face of doubt. His presence on campus promises to be both energizing and reflective. An invitation to consider how character, integrity and creativity shape not only art, but the impact one leaves on the world," Baldwin remarked.

About the Distinguished Speakers Board

The Distinguished Speakers Board’s mission is to cultivate a diversity of thought in the student body and the surrounding community by bringing speakers who engage and challenge society through their actions and ideas. Ultimately, DSB strives to create a more thoughtful and aware campus and community.

The board, composed entirely of ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ students, works to connect the campus with global voices across culture, politics, science, the arts and more. Past speakers have included Anderson Cooper, Trevor Noah, Garry Kasparov, Hank Green, Chloe Kim and Jennette McCurdy. Each event provides students, faculty, staff and the Boulder community the chance to engage in conversations that expand perspectives and inspire action.