Better Call Saul Star Turns to Amazon Delivery Amid Acting Drought
An actor best known for his role in the acclaimed legal crime drama Better Call Saul has disclosed that he is now employed as an Amazon delivery driver after his acting opportunities significantly diminished. The television star, who appeared in seasons one through four of the Breaking Bad spin-off, took to Reddit to announce his new profession, candidly telling his followers that "it sucks."
From Screen to Delivery Van
John Christian Love, aged 35, portrayed Ernesto, the close friend of Bob Odenkirk's character Saul Goodman, across 11 episodes of the series. He posted a selfie on a Reddit thread dedicated to Amazon workers, smiling while wearing his Amazon-branded uniform. In the photo, seated in a delivery van with a stack of parcels visible behind him, John wrote: "Hey it’s me John Christian Love. Just want y'all to know that as the actor who brought you the character 'Ernesto/Ernie' in Better Call Saul, that I too am out here delivering with you! It sucks. But one delivery at a time. Be blessed out there!"
Hundreds of Reddit users flooded the comments section, offering compliments for "doing something regular" outside of his on-screen career. When one fan inquired if he had abandoned acting, John responded: "I haven’t given up on it, just really slow right now. And Better Call Saul wasn’t the breakout I was hoping for."
Industry Challenges and Unpaid Projects
He elaborated on the difficulties facing actors, stating: "The industry has dried up, I’m tired of waiting for permission, so going to start doing my own projects, but got to do something other than this because it really is killing me." John also revealed that he had worked for FedEx and UPS previously and shared a disappointing experience involving a significant film project. "Did a significant film working opposite Lily Gladstone and Bryan Cranston but film ran out of money and I was never paid," he explained.
Instead, he noted that his income primarily comes from residuals for episodes of Better Call Saul in which he appears, amounting to occasional payments of around $100 (£75). This shift highlights the unpredictable nature of acting careers, even for those with roles in popular television series.
Reflections on Better Call Saul Legacy
In 2022, Bob Odenkirk, the star of Better Call Saul, became emotional while discussing the conclusion of his 13-year portrayal of Saul Goodman on Jimmy Kimmel Live! He described the show as a "family affair" that included fans, cast, and crew. "I always felt the fans, your family, and all the many people gave us a chance to create our own little world there with Saul," Bob said, expressing gratitude for the audience's support despite initial concerns about comparisons to Breaking Bad.
Parallel Story: British Soap Actor's Side Hustles
In a similar vein, a British soap star has surprised fans by taking on alternative employment between acting roles. Zachary Sutcliffe, 24, known for his role as Bobby Costello in Channel 4's Hollyoaks and more recently as Schuey Weever in the BBC's Waterloo Road, announced he is working as a trainee barber at Romano & Co barbers in Bradford. This follows a previous revelation in October where he shared a video of himself working on a building site, renovating a driveway.
Zachary launched an Instagram page, sutcliffecuts, to showcase his barbering skills, while still set to appear in the upcoming 17th series of Waterloo Road. His character Bobby was killed off in Hollyoaks in June, murdered by serial killer Jez Blake, after a storyline involving the deaths of Silas Blissett and Sylver McQueen. These side jobs underscore the financial realities actors often face, even after securing notable television roles.
The experiences of John Christian Love and Zachary Sutcliffe illustrate a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where actors frequently pursue supplementary income streams due to the irregular nature of acting work. Their stories resonate with many in creative fields who balance passion projects with practical employment to sustain their careers.
