Vince Gilligan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vince Gilligan
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Gilligan in July 2018
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| Born |
George Vincent Gilligan Jr.
February 10, 1967 Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
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| Alma mater | New York University (BFA) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Holly Rice
(m. 1991) |
George Vincent Gilligan Jr. (born February 10, 1967) is an American writer, producer, and director for television and movies. He is most famous for creating the popular TV shows Breaking Bad (2008–2013) and its spin-off, Better Call Saul (2015–2022). He also wrote and directed the movie El Camino (2019), which continued the Breaking Bad story.
Before these shows, Gilligan worked on the science fiction series The X-Files and helped create its spin-off, The Lone Gunmen. He has won many important awards for his work, including four Primetime Emmy Awards and six Writers Guild of America Awards.
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Vince Gilligan's Early Life
George Vincent Gilligan Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, on February 10, 1967. His mother, Gail, was a teacher, and his father, George Sr., worked with insurance claims. His parents divorced in 1974. Vince and his younger brother, Patrick, grew up in Farmville and Chesterfield County. They went to J.P. Wynne Campus School, where their mother also taught. Gilligan later used the name J.P. Wynne for the high school in Breaking Bad.
Vince became best friends with Angus Wall, who later became a famous film editor. Vince's interest in movies started when Angus's mother, Jackie, lent him her Super 8 film cameras. He used these cameras to make science fiction films with his brother Patrick. One of his first films was called Space Wreck. When he was young, he won first prize in a film competition at the University of Virginia. Jackie encouraged both Vince and Angus to work in the arts. Vince later said she was a "wonderful lady and a real inspiration."
Vince's father described him as a "studious-type young man" with a "vivid imagination." His father introduced him to classic movies like film noir and John Wayne Westerns. Vince won a scholarship to the Interlochen Center for the Arts. After eighth grade, he moved back to Chesterfield and went to Lloyd C. Bird High School. After graduating in 1985, he attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts on a scholarship, earning a degree in film production. While at NYU, he won an award for his screenplay Home Fries, which was later made into a movie.
His Career in Television and Film
Working on The X-Files
Gilligan got his big chance when he joined the TV show The X-Files. He was already a fan of the show. He sent a script to Fox, and it became an episode called "Soft Light" in the second season. He went on to write many more episodes, and he also became a producer for the show. He also helped create The X-Files spin-off series, The Lone Gunmen, which ran for one season.
Breaking Bad and Its Spin-offs
Vince Gilligan created, wrote, directed, and produced the TV show Breaking Bad. He came up with the idea that the main character, Walter White, would start as a hero and slowly become a villain. He wanted to show how a character could change completely over time. He said his goal was to turn Walter White from a "Mr. Chips" (a kind teacher) into a "Scarface" (a powerful criminal).
Breaking Bad became very popular and is considered one of the greatest TV shows ever. Gilligan won many awards for his work on the series. The Writers Guild of America gave him four awards in a row from 2012 to 2014. He also won two Primetime Emmy Awards for producing the show. In 2014, he won a Directors Guild of America Award for directing the final episode of Breaking Bad, called "Felina".
In 2013, a spin-off show called Better Call Saul was announced. This show focuses on the character Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad, showing his life before he became Walter White's lawyer. Bob Odenkirk plays Saul Goodman again in this show. Gilligan co-created Better Call Saul with Peter Gould, and they both worked as showrunners (the main people in charge of the show). Gilligan directed and co-wrote the first episode, which aired in February 2015. He later stepped back a bit to work on other projects, with Peter Gould becoming the main showrunner. However, Gilligan still directed some episodes in later seasons.
In 2019, Gilligan secretly wrote and directed a movie called El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. This movie tells what happened to Jesse Pinkman after the end of Breaking Bad. It was released in theaters for a short time and also on Netflix.
The shows Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and El Camino are sometimes called the "Gilliverse" by fans and the people who made them. After Better Call Saul finished, Gilligan said he doesn't plan to make any more stories related to Breaking Bad.
Other TV Shows and Movies
Gilligan also created a TV show for CBS called Battle Creek with David Shore. It was about two police detectives. The show aired in 2015 but only ran for one season.
After Better Call Saul ended, Gilligan started working on a new science fiction show called Wycaro. This show has been compared to The X-Files and The Twilight Zone. Apple TV+ ordered two seasons of the show in 2022, and Rhea Seehorn, who played Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, will star in it.
Vince Gilligan has also written screenplays for movies. His first movie script was produced in 1993 for Wilder Napalm. In 1998, his screenplay for Home Fries, starring Drew Barrymore, was made into a movie. He also helped rewrite the script for the 2008 superhero film Hancock, which starred Will Smith.
In 2014, Gilligan even acted in an episode of the comedy TV series Community. He played a cheesy actor hosting a fictional video game.
Personal Life
Vince Gilligan married Holly Rice in 1991. They do not have children. He was raised in the Catholic faith but now says he doesn't follow a specific religion.
Images for kids
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Vince Gilligan with actor Aaron Paul in 2010.
Awards and Nominations
Vince Gilligan has won many awards for his writing, directing, and producing. Some of his major awards include:
- Primetime Emmy Awards
- Writers Guild of America Awards
- Critics' Choice Television Awards
- Producers Guild of America Awards
- Directors Guild of America Award
- BAFTA Television Award
See also
In Spanish: Vince Gilligan para niños
