I am Luis Moncada and I played Marco Salamanca (Twin Assassins) on the show Breaking Bad. AMA.

Were those boots comfortable?

Yes they were. Miss them! Felt like Superman when i wore them ;)

Well, you sure looked really fucking badass wearing those boots.

Well, Thank u very much ;)

It would have been so cool if you could keep them.

Still trying to get them ;)

So who got to keep them?

Wardrobe. They said they couldn't give them away, because they didn't know if we were coming back on a flashback.

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Nope!

How badly did you want a speaking line?

Thanks, by the way. I'm a huge fan. I was always waiting for you to blow up at any moment. Great work.

Thank u. I have not blown up yet, but hopefully one day. Hope the acting Gods are listening to u! ;) I did speak on episodes 306 & 307 not enough but i had a little dialogue in Spanish

Was it difficult shooting that scene where you and your brother walked away from the exploding truck? I'd imagine you only had one take, and that must have been intense!

Very intense! I kept telling my Bro " no matter what, keep walking" even if u gut hit with shit, KEEP walking!

yeah that shit was insane......you guys barely cared about the explosion behind you

Well cool guys don't look at explosions.

Nope!

But in our minds we were like "Oh, Shit" We didn't know it was gonna be that big 'til it happen!

What up, Luis? Thanks for taking some time today to hang out with us on /r/breakingbad.

Hey everyone, check out this interview with Luis and his brother Daniel Moncada.

my pleasure. Thank you for all your help and Thanks to all the cool fans that Twitted me to call you (You guys scared me for a minute) I thought ya'll were a bunch of crazy people trying to fuck with me ;)

To be brutally honest your gut reaction to us may well have been correct.

LOL

Luis Moncada: So powerful that he, and he alone, can get an upvote for just "LOL" on reddit. Let us be in awe.

They know to give me Upvote better than to get me knocking on their door with my fucking Axe in hand, if they give me a Downvote :)

"Actor Luis Moncada arrested this afternoon for the murder of local nerd, supposedly over internet dispute about 'karma'".

Luis Moncada - Kills for Upvotes

LMAO! Breaking news! Actor with Axe on a fucking Rampage over Upvotes, LOL!

Which one of your scenes was the most entertaining to film?

The one with Bryan in the shower. He kept coming out and doing funny shit after every cut!

That just made me burst into laughter, Luis! Such a serious scene and yet Cranston is goofing off.

Super funny guy and not shy at all ;)

Awesome. Thanks again for doing this AMA. It's been a huge success.

You're talking as if it's finished already.

He won't stop! I've created a monster! :P

LOL yes u did! I can't fucking stop! Its the blue stuff that keeps me going ;) Naw seriously, Edify THANK U so much for all your help getting this together and teaching me how to do it, It has been awesome!

The assassin twins were such an intense part of the show that after watching those episodes I did some light research into the current violence related to drug cartels, and came away wishing the day to day events in mexico and on the border had more attention. Do you think shows like Breaking Bad are a good way to remind the public of the danger many people face due to drug cartels?

I think so. I don't think Breaking Bad is as bad as what's going on in Mexico right now, but its a good reminder.

This needs more attention. As crazy as Breaking Bad is, shit is worse and crazier at the border.. It's really sad.

Very very sad and dangerous because its coming to this side of the border now! Something needs to be done soon!

No question for now; just wanted to say that the scene of attempted hank's assasination was the most intense scene I have ever seen on television, and man, I watch a lot of it. You did a great job. Take care!

Thank u! Appreciate it!

-"......................................"

-"......................................"

And that's all it takes you guys to be scary as hell.

Hey, i can't believe u know all my dialogue from the show ;)

you are very winky

;)

Your performance in Breaking Bad (particularly the first three episodes where your character remained completely silent) represents the height of fictional villainy, for me. Salamanca is one of my all time favorite antagonists, largely due to how well you played the character! I hope to see you get other roles in the future, man. I know I can speak for all my friends when I say we would check out pretty much anything with your name attached to it at this point. You rule - so please continue to do so.

Wow, THANK U SO MUCH for your kind words. I Really appreciate it!

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It was an absolute honor to have been directed by Bryan. He was a true Pro when it came down to Directing us, He knew exactly what he wanted and he was extremely happy when the Explosion scene was done ;) Not nervous at all, In my head i was not gonna flinch even if i got hit with shit coming from the car on fire. I did see a rubber leg and head flying by and thought "Shit that almost got me"

as you said you have been shot and stabbed, how embarrassing would it have been to be taken out by a flying rubber leg?

True! Now that i think of it, That is fucked up...After everything I've been true, A fucking Rubber leg!!! LOL! They would've laugh at me in Hell or Heaven or wherever the fuck I'm going!

In your time working on Breaking Bad, how frequently did people confuse you with your brother Daniel?

Never while on set. We are really not twins. He's the ugly one I'm the good looking one ;)

Breaking Bad is a really heavy show. It has a ton of dark humor, and while that is all well and good for the episode, it must be hard for the actors. How do you guys maintain levity while filming your really emotional scenes?

I think you and your partner were some of the best villains in the show, despite your few lines. It was really cool to see you interact silently with each other, especially in the scene where you were waiting for Walt outside the shower. Is it hard to translate your emotions and comedy without talking? Did it help that it was your brother? I assume siblings can read minds or something.

Last question. How did it feel to die? What did you have to go through for the headshot scene? Did you too see the horribly racist looks Dean Norris was shooting you? Because I did. I did.

Very hard to translate emotions without saying anything. And it did help that it was my bro, We really act somewhat like our characters in Br Ba. We are of very few words, but we understand each other.

Would you say that the things that happened in Breaking Bad with you and the other Salamanca twin were quite accurate in regards to what you saw when you were in the gang?

Also, I still think that the two characters that you guys played were some of the most chilling I've ever seen in any TV show, and I thank you for sharing your acting talents with the world.

Thank u for the kind words. Yes it was very Accurate!

Scary stuff! Thanks for taking the time to answer and good luck with everything in the future.

Thank u.

Did you get to take anything with you, from the set, after you were killed off? (Like the axe?)

No, nothing from the set. They've sent me Br Ba Merchandise but nothing from the actual set props

Hey, I'm a big fan of you and your brother. I just tweeted at you. [@UniquelyAvg]. I saw the interview and you guys seem really nice, and your twitter shows it.

So how was it acting like badass motherfuckers? Was it hard to stay silent but act like you knew what the other one was thinking?

Also, how scared were you when the truck blew up?

Is Giancarlo Esposito as serious on set as he is on the show?

Who is the biggest clown on set?

EDIT: What other TV shows/movies should we watch out for you to be in?

Thank u very much. Wasn't hard all the time. Only when the director wanted us to say more without saying anything. Not scared before the explosion. It was after that we were like WTF was that! It was soooo big, we expected something small! Giancarlo is nothing like his character, He is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Biggest clown on set, Hmmm Bryan. I was a clown myself, just had a great time on that set!

I love your username

Thank u ;)

whats your impression of bryan cranston as an actor? anything outstanding / awsome we might not know yet? btw nice work dude

Thank u. Bryan is an Amazing actor. I remember him giving my brother some acting advise (It was my bros first acting job EVER)

Whoa first gig ever? That's damn impressive.

Yeah, he did very, Proud of him! He probably hated me when we were there, cuz i kept telling him Dont do this and that and do this like this and that, LOL.

Ahhh I would totally flip if Bryan gave me advice on my first acting job. :)

Yeah, my bro was nervous.

I read that you had been in prison for some time... how has that impacted your acting?

Its giving me the insight on many of my Characters (I always play the Bad guy, ALWAYS)

Hi! Do you have any emotions in real life?

He had emotions in Breaking Bad. Anger and Wrath.

Don't forget HATE!

Only when it comes down to my son! Other than that NOPE!

I've seen many death scenes but have never found out how they were done. How was your death scene makeup done? How long did it take?

For that one scene it took 3-4 hrs make up. The actual scene took 3 takes and some re-shoots!

When you say "re-shoots", is that a pun?

I had to go back to New Mex to Re-Shoot and shoot more stuff for that episode

Is it true for brother (or maybe you? not sure which) has "Fuck you" Tattooed on his eyelids? Bryan Cranston said so at a panal.

Also, he said when you guys blow up that truck you were WAY closer to the truck than it looked and Bryan (who was directing) told you guys that if you flinched you would ruin the shot. Confim or deny.

Also guy guys are awesome. Fucking made that season.

I have the FUCK YOU on my eyelids. he kept telling us "We only have one shot at this, only one truck" please don't flinch. Confirmed!

How do you cover the fuck you up? Foundation?

Also, do you cover it up on normal days when you aren't shooting?

In show i work if they don't wanna see them, They cover them with Make up. On Breaking Bad they covered them every time (Took about 30 min) I never cover them if I'm not working. If people ask me "what does it say?" i give them a fair warning before i show them ;)

I would simply like to ask how you and your brother got the gig. Did the casting directors choose you from a crowd, or were you called in by your agent? Was it something else?

Thanks Mr. Moncada. Love the show, and your character.

We audition.

how did you audition for a role with almost no speaking lines?

We did a scene Bryan and Giancarlo did in the second season of the show. And we also killed the Assistant casting Director with an Axe ;)

1) Did anything you had to do on-screen make you feel uncomfortable?

2) Who surprised you the most when it came to their off-camera personality?

3) What is your favorite deli meat?

1)Nope 2)Bryan 3)Ham

Hey! Great show with great actors, how did you prepare or get into character before the show? As you have quite the bad ass character.

Did not require to much preparation. I used past experiences & did rent no country for old men

the best preparation for any silent badass.

It is, He did a great job in that film!

Will you tell us more about your previous life as gang member?

What age you got in? Where? What kinda shit you did? How long in prison? Prison gangs? What about your brother? Any problems getting out of the gang?

Got in when i was 14. I was stabbed, and shot by LAPD, went to prison for GTA and Gang association, While in prison i got convicted of selling weed in prison and got 2 yrs more to my 2 i was already doing. Prison gangs is more of a race thing. Watch American Me and its very VERY accurate about prison gangs. My Bro had some trouble, but i never let him get into the gang. I Didn't want that for him, so he never did. But, i couldn't stop him from doing his share of stupid things ;)

La familia es todo.

Very VERY TRUE!

First great job! I haven't had chills seeing someone walk around with an axe since some 80s horror/slasher film. Do you worry about being typecast as an actor or are you comfortable playing roles similar to the Salamancas?

I love playing the Bad guy, Its way more fun...we get to do all the fun shit on set (Shooting, beating people up, etc) But i would love to play other characters. I'm currently removing some of my tattoos to not be typecasted

Oh my god, how do you decide which ones to give up? Is this something you want to do, or feel forced to?

I'm doing it for myself. I have a lot of gang tattoos that i don't want anymore. I Also have a beautiful son that i wanna be a good example for ;)

My boss used to teach a variation of Muay Thai and he'd love to hear about where you trained and who your intructor(s) were. He also mentioned something about Muay Thai lineage. Honestly, I think he would love to hear anything you have to say about Muay Thai in general.

I think Muay Thai is a beautiful sport. Brutal, but Beautiful. I love it! If i were not acting i would've been a Muay Thai Fighter or Boxer. I've competed in Muay Thai, Record is 8-0

I'm guessing the acting gig is paying more fer ya then.

Oh yeah ;) In Muay Thai there is not alot of money to be made. And in Boxing u have to start young if u wanna do anything with the sport. The times I've competed were more for the love of the sport than the money.

Hey Luis. Thanks for taking some time to do this AMA! I've got a couple questions for you

1.How'd you and your brother get casted for this roll?

2.I saw in an interview with you and your brother that you've served time in jail. What can you tell us about that experience, and can you tell us what lead you there?

3.Since you and your brothers rolls in Breaking Bad, do you and him have any other projects lined up?

Also heard that see that you've done motivation speaking for troubled youth. That's awesome! Keep up the awesomeness!

Thanks again for taking time out of your day to do this.

1. We Audition
2. Prison was the biggest waste of time ever, eye opener to me. It really showed me who your real friends are and most of all it showed me that there is nothing like FAMILY. 3.After Br Ba i did No Ordinary Family, Dexter, The Mentalist, K-11 and i go shoot Counter culture next week. Thank u guys for having me, I'm having a fun answering questions.
   

What kind of things do you say when you do your motivational speeches? Edit: And At what point did your life take a pivotal turn, where you realized you needed to change for the better? Also, keep up the good work!

I tell the kids my story as a former gang member, I tell them all the lies they get fed to be a part of a gang, how they only tell them what's fun and the wanna hear to get them to join. And then i tell them the truth about Gangs! Which is Prison, Shootings, Fights, Stabbings and death! And i finish telling them about how only my family stuck with me through thick and thin.

Do you think you will stay out of the system for good?

I WILL NEVER go back again! I plan to have a long career in acting and helping kids stay away from that place!

Luis, another MMA fan here, who is you're favorite MMA fighter??

Shit! that's a Good one! Of all time would have to be Fedor Emelianenko. I also like Wandarlei and Dos Santos

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I was in a gang called AZTLAN13 in Los Angeles. First thing, That its really hard when you're starting and it takes alot of determination. Don't ever give up and work hard at it and you will be fine. But remember DON'T EVER GIVE UP! That i think its the most important thing.

I read your answer for this one before the question and it sounded like you were giving advice on how to succeed in a gang. DON'T EVER GIVE UP!

LOL! Don't ever give up on Acting or in anything positive u do!

What did you do to prepare for your role?

Didn't have to prepare much. Used past experiences and No country for old men ;)

was in a Gang, Got shot, stabbed, Went to prison, Married a Parole Officer, turned into an Actor, Did motivational speaking for trouble youth

That ought to be enough preparation.

LMAO. True that.

Did you feel bad dragging that suit in the dirt in the season opening?

Fuck yeah! I double checked before we did that scene if it was ok to do it ;)

I recently started watching all of the Breaking Bad seasons and managed to catch up and see the finale of season 4 and was blown away! Your acting in the show, despite not saying a whole lot, but kicking ass and taking names instead made for a great role between you and your twin on the show. So to my question, how was it to work with Cranston and the other actors on the show, as well as the director(s)? Also what caused your extreme reversal in taking the "straight and narrow" path as they say, what with coming out of jail and marrying a parole officer?

Working on Br Ba was the high light of my acting career. Best show and Amazing people i met on there. Working with Cranston was an honor and even better in the first episode which he directed. Everyone else on the show actors and crew alike were super cool people. "straight and narrow" just happen one day i just wanted to change, but it was so hard living in the Hood and trying to change, so I moved cut ties with everyone and met my wife who game me the extra push i needed to make the change (She was not my Parole Officcer)

That scene with the tribal officer, was just ill.

Yeah, I had a lot of fun with the Axe that day. They said cut and i was like "fuck that I'm gonna keep hacking away! Get Back or be next ;)

You two were absolutely sinister in breaking bad. Great job on conveying so much malice with nary a word.

That's a heavy past you got there, nice to see you overcome it. Kind of reminds me of Danny Trejo's story.

Well, Thank u very much ;) Yeah we got similar stories, Very similar. Danny is a very cool guy!

I don't really have a question, but I just wanted to say that the scene at the end of the episode "One Minute" is one of the best that I have ever seen on television. Thanks for making one of the best shows on TV that much better.

Thank u very much. Means alot, Appreciate it

Did you get to see the filming of any scenes that you weren't a part of?

That is, once actors are done with their own work for the day, do they usually stick around to see other scenes being filmed, or is that a distraction? If you did see the shooting of other scenes, what did you enjoy the most?

I did get to see alot of scenes i wasn't part of. If you're done with your work, you can stay and checkout the next scene. Most of the time when they call u on set they are still shooting the other scenes and u get to watch them, while u wait. I enjoy watching scenes with Aaron and Bryan, their chemistry is amazing!

I live right next to Albuquerque, so what were your favorite local places to eat? And red or green?

Thanks!

I didn't really go out to much when i was there. I kept eating at the hotel or on the set. There is a couple of places, but i really can't remember their names, Sorry!

Any idea where I could get a pair of those boots? They'd make for an awesome keepsake or possible Halloween costume, hah

Also, if the show ever approaches you for a flashback or something please do it! You and your brother were by far my favorite characters on the show and I'd love to see you two in there again somehow

No idea about the boots, trying to get some myself. If they call me about a flashback, I'm so in! Thank u!

Hey man, I don't have a question but I just want to say that I appreciate the quality work you did on what is my favorite show ever. You guys were so chilling. I loved the scene where you were both sat waiting for Walt whilst he was in the shower and obviously the shoot out with Hank.

I look forward to seeing a lot more from you. Thanks again.

Thank u, I appreciate the kind words! Two of my favorite scenes as well ;)

Where can I get a pair of them boots?

I would like to find out myself! Hit me up when u do! ;)

Do you feel typed-cast based on your personal history (shot, prison) and appearance (tattoos)?

Right now i do. But Im working on that now. I'm removing some of my tattoos and trying to open my range a little more.

Just want to say I love this show, your character is great, and I hope you get more roles in the future! Your look is awesome / unsettling in the right way :)

THANK U ;)