Breaking Bad Star Daniel Moncada Talks About the Tattoo That Changed His Life

Author: Ourselves
Published: Thu 23 Jan 2025
Episode Link: https://ourselves.podbean.com/e/how-a-tattoo-and-breaking-the-rules-landed-daniel-moncada-on-breaking-bad/

Daniel Moncada’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—born in Honduras, he faced unimaginable challenges, from navigating a dangerous childhood to surviving the brutal realities of prison. In this episode, Daniel reveals how he turned his life around, landing the role of a lifetime as one of Breaking Bad’s most iconic villains. With behind-the-scenes stories about Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, an unforgettable audition that nearly went sideways, and the risks he took while on parole to film the show, this conversation dives deep into his transformation from hardship to Hollywood. It’s a raw, inspiring, and gripping look at resilience, redemption, and what it takes to seize life-changing opportunities.

00:00 Introduction

03:01 Childhood Struggles and Military Fears

07:38 Adapting to American Life

09:23 Juvenile Hall and Learning to Fight Back

12:39 The Turning Point: Education and Trouble

35:49 Breaking Bad: The Audition Story

43:41 Parole Dilemma: Seeking Permission

44:22 Testing the Waters with the Parole Officer

46:37 Defying Parole: The Risky Decision

46:53 Journey to New Mexico: The Anxiety

55:44 Breaking Bad: The Big Opportunity

59:28 On Set with Bryan Cranston

01:04:52 The Iconic Explosion Scene

01:21:15 Typecasting Challenges and Opportunities

01:24:51 Working with Legends: Mel Gibson and Clint Eastwood

01:29:23 Breaking the Rules: Audition Stories

01:30:20 The Audition Do-Over

01:35:47 On Set with Clint Eastwood

01:39:54 Hollywood's Current Landscape

01:42:41 The Impact of Streaming and Residuals

01:56:15 Navigating the Crypto Craze

02:05:19 Advice for Aspiring Actors

02:08:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections