Skinny Pete, played by Charles Baker, was a fan-favorite supporting character in AMC’s hit series Breaking Bad. Though a drug addict and low-level meth dealer, Skinny Pete remained a loyal friend to Jesse Pinkman throughout the show’s five seasons. He aided Jesse and Walter White on several occasions, often providing reliable information from the criminal underworld. While less explored than main characters, Skinny Pete left a memorable impression on viewers. His post-Breaking Bad activities and future after the events of El Camino remain a point of interest for fans.
Skinny Pete’s Post-Breaking Bad Career
After Breaking Bad concluded in 2013, Baker continued portraying Skinny Pete in the extended universe. He made cameo appearances in the critically acclaimed crime drama The Blacklist and sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Baker also performed in several independent horror and sci-fi comedies. In interviews, the actor expressed enthusiasm to play Skinny Pete’s father in the Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul. However, the character has yet to surface in any prominent capacity. Still, Skinny Pete remains one of Baker’s most recognized roles.
Skinny Pete’s Character History in Breaking Bad
Skinny Pete was introduced in Season 1 as Jesse’s longtime friend and drug distributor. Having served time together in Los Lunas state prison, Skinny Pete already had connections to the Albuquerque underworld. He first mentions notorious drug kingpin Tuco Salamanca, which draws Walter and Jesse into the meth trade. Throughout the series, Skinny Pete aids the protagonists through providing street knowledge, transportation, and refuge. Despite no longer using meth, he remains tied to the criminal elements that ultimately claim countless lives.
Skinny Pete’s Role in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
The 2019 Netflix film El Camino picks up immediately after Breaking Bad’s finale. Having escaped captivity with neo-Nazis, Jesse flees to Skinny Pete’s house. Still loyal, Skinny Pete provides Jesse with shelter, clothes, and a car to escape New Mexico. He riskily returns Jesse’s gun and money, remaining complicit in his crimes. Skinny Pete’s concern for Jesse’s wellbeing demonstrates their genuine friendship, even amidst the constant chaos. Their emotional goodbye was a fitting sendoff for the beloved character.
Fan Reactions and Legacy of Skinny Pete
Among Breaking Bad’s extensive cast, Skinny Pete stands out as a fan-favorite for his humor and loyalty. Despite his illegal activities, Skinny Pete maintained redeeming humanity. Viewers continue campaigning for a spinoff or return appearance focused on his character. The rapport between Skinny Pete and Jesse’s other friend Badger was a particular highlight. Their banter provided comic relief against the show’s harsh realism. While a spinoff is unlikely, Skinny Pete remains immortalized as Jesse’s most trusted ally. His acceptance humanized the traumatized and increasingly isolated protagonist.
The El Camino film implies Skinny Pete will remain in danger even after Jesse’s disappearance. Having unknowingly aided Walter White’s drug empire, he faces residual heat from the DEA and Albuquerque police. Like Breaking Bad’s other survivors, Skinny Pete must walk a fine line between avoiding detection and not appearing overtly guilty. His peripheral involvement in the drug trade may haunt him indefinitely. Still, Skinny Pete’s undying compassion makes him worthy of a happy ending in fans’ eyes.
Conclusion
As one of the few non-antagonists to survive Breaking Bad, Skinny Pete’s fate remains a lingering question. The smiling, enthusiastic drug dealer left an imprint through his humor and empathy. Though sometimes misguided, Pete honored the code of loyalty amongst criminals. His friendship provided lightness to offset the show’s darkness. While Skinny Pete’s story ended on an optimistic note in El Camino, his past leaves an unclear future. Actor Charles Baker brought depth and charm to the deceptively thoughtful character. The unlikely hero will remain beloved long after Jesse drives into the distance. Whatever comes next, Skinny Pete has well earned his closure after Breaking Bad’s harrowing journey.
