We are now nearly a month away from Malta Comic Con and Raymond Cruz has been announced as a special guest for this year’s instalment. The American actor has featured in various films and TV shows throughout his decades-long career, having gotten his big break with the role of L.A Detective Julio Sanchez in ‘The Closer’ (2005), one which he later revived in the spin-off ‘Major Crimes’ (2012). However, it wasn’t until 2008 that Cruz landed what is arguably his most memorable character to date, Tuco Salamanca in the sensational series ‘Breaking Bad’.

Tuco Salamanca, who runs what is essentially a family business of dealing drugs and death sentences, serves as a prominent antagonist for the first couple of seasons. However, what truly makes him scary isn’t his occupation or even his propensity for violence, but his emotional volatility. At times, Tuco appears with a puzzling friendly disposition, and whether you’re his arch nemesis or his right hand man, that can easily change. 

The actor has spoken in the past about how challenging the role was; “It’s really high-energy. It’s relentless. It’s very physical and it wears you out. You get very drained.” Although, Cruz left such an impression with his portrayal that viewers are often shocked at the realisation that Tuco Salamanca only appears in 4 episodes of ‘Breaking Bad’. This was the case until 2015, when he stepped back into the role for the equally successful prequel series ‘Better Call Saul’.

In real life, the actor is a lot less intense than Tuco and way more approachable. Fans of the show can catch Cruz on October 28 and 29 at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, along with an exciting roster of actors, comic writers/illustrators, and cosplayers!