Aaron Paul finds ‘The Path’ after ‘Breaking Bad’

AARON Paul photo by Ruben V. Nepales

LOS ANGELES—It has been three years since “Breaking Bad” ended, but Aaron Paul said that people still call him “bitch,” a word which his character Jesse Pinkman often said. “You just got to take it in stride,” shrugged the actor, dapper in a blue suit and tie.

The three-time Emmy best supporting actor winner is excited about his new series, “The Path,” which will debut in March on Hulu, the streaming service which is gaining a significant foothold in the online TV market. Aaron plays Eddie Cleary, a convert to a cult who is suffering a crisis of faith. Hugh Dancy and Michelle Monaghan costar.

In the following chat, the 36-year-old talks about this new show; his actress-director wife, Laura; his tough times before “Breaking Bad” came along; about possibly guesting as Jesse in “Better Call Saul”; and the prospects of becoming a dad in real life.

What have you learned from your journey with “Breaking Bad”?

I’ve had my ups and downs throughout my career—a lot more downs than ups before “Breaking Bad.” That show changed my life. Like you said, it was not an overnight success. The critics kept our show alive, thank God. After about the second or third season, it really started forming into this magical TV show that we all fell in love with.

After “Breaking Bad,” I always joked around saying, “Oh well, it’s all downhill from here.” I definitely peaked during “Breaking Bad,” which isn’t a bad thing because I was lucky enough to be a part of such a special show.

Then, this show which was called “The Way” at the time was placed on my lap. The first thing I recognized was Jason Katims (producer—how can you ignore that name?). I love the man. I read the first two episodes, and I cannot ignore the material. So, I sat down with Jason, Michelle Lee (producer) and our brilliant creator Jessica Goldberg. I just fell in love with these talents. I had to say yes.

How tough was it when you were just starting and trying to make it as an actor?

It was hard living in a walk-in closet for over a year, but the rent was so cheap. It was my own little private space, but I can look back at it now and appreciate what I went through. So, yeah, I’m happy that I had that struggle, because I’ve seen a lot of close friends of mine who had success at a very young age. Then, it just started going downhill, and they couldn’t take it. They either quit or started substance abuse.

Due to “Breaking Bad’s” success, a lot of people still associate you with your character, Jesse Pinkman. How are you, as an actor, breaking away from that and show that you can play other characters?

I got to tell you, I get called “bitch” (a word often used by Jesse) so many times in a day. It’s incredible. You just got to take it in stride. It’s crazy what Jesse Pinkman has done for me. A lot of people think that I am Jesse, so it’s all about trying to do something different and this show does just that.

Playing a father of two and a husband makes me want to have kids right now. It’s just such a beautiful thing. It’s such a different role that I’ve ever played. So, it’s all about trying to mix it up.

There’s talk that you will show up as Jesse in the “Breaking Bad” spin-off, “Better Call Saul.”

Yeah. Vince (Gilligan), Peter Gould (“Better…” creators) and I definitely have had many discussions about it. If it does happen, if they approach me with it, I would absolutely say yes. Very excited about it, but it’s all about doing it in the right way.

You mentioned that you would like to become a dad.

Here it comes. You know, I have 16 nieces and nephews.

Good training.

Yes, good training. They started coming my way when I was about 12 years old. I love kids. I am the crazy uncle who comes to town and just spoils them and showers them with hugs, kisses, gifts and candies. I think kids are really the purpose of life.

Who are your father models?

My dad. And my wife’s father. I’m so proud when she says that I remind her a lot of her father. It’s just the biggest compliment I could receive. And my dad was such a loving, supportive human being and never doubted any of his kids.

Can you tell us more about your wife, Laura? How did you meet?

We met at a music festival (Coachella). I was sitting on a fence in the middle of the desert. She came walking up to me with one of our mutual friends who introduced me to her. It was impossible not to fall in love with her right away.

That was a little over six years ago. She had a boyfriend, of course. So I played the friend role for a year. Then, the following year at Coachella, we were both single and that was that. We had our first kiss on a Ferris wheel. I told her that night I was going to marry her.

We got matching tattoos a month later on our ring fingers. I’m sure all of her friends thought we were crazy. But we’re still going strong, and it’s more love than ever.

The show centers around a controversial cult, The Meyerist Movement, as the followers struggle with issues, especially faith. Can you talk about the pull of belief?

It’s human nature to want your questions to be answered. We’re floating in the middle of nowhere, spinning on a planet. I don’t think that any of us really knows what’s going on. But we are desperately wanting to find out.

I grew up in a religious background. My father was a Southern Baptist minister, so I read the Bible. I know a lot about different religions. People in the Meyerist movement in this show don’t consider themselves to be in a cult. They just believe in something—that’s just it.

Who answers your own questions?

God. I believe in God. God is the Almighty universe. I think there’s definitely a higher power, which I am constantly fascinated by.

Why are you drawn to your character, Eddie Cleary?

I’m always drawn to characters who are dealing with a lot of inner turmoil.

Eddie is searching for answers just like all of us. I relate to him in that regard. He’s in a pretty interesting situation. He’s just pretty scared.

Have you experienced a crisis of faith?

I don’t think I have had a crisis of faith. Like I said, I grew up in a very religious household.

What motivated you to be active in the antibullying campaign?

Because my wife runs the Kind Campaign that she started straight out of film school. She did a documentary called “Finding Kind.” She wanted to travel around the country and talk to young girls about the effects of bullying and to figure out where it truly stems from.

I commend her for that. She had a terrible experience in middle school for two years. She was pushed into a corner and was constantly bullied. It got to a point where she attempted suicide, and this was in eighth grade.

Where do you find kindness in Hollywood?

You can find it. You just got to search really hard. Yeah, it’s out there.

Have you found your path in your own life?

I think so, yeah. I’m pretty happy. I’ve found the love of my life. She’s such a blessing. I’m loving what I’m doing.

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