See ‘Breaking Bad’ star Aaron Paul as a toddler

Soraya Roberts
·Blogger

Before he got into cooking meth, Jesse Pinkman was once an innocent kid just like you -- Aaron Paul has the proof.

On Saturday the "Breaking Bad" star posted a very retro childhood portrait of himself (complete with 80s-style pre-Photoshop montage) on Instagram with the caption, "Check me out."

The photo shows a chubby-cheeked Paul smiling for the cameras, his hands posed in his laps as he sports a striped flannel shirt and a variation on the infamous childhood bowl cut we all know so well.

The 33-year-old Emmy winner grew up in Emmett, Idaho, the youngest of five born to a Baptist minister. As a teenager he moved to Los Angeles for a modelling competition and went on to land small roles in "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place" (not to mention an appearance on "The Price is Right").

After years of supporting roles, Paul landed AMC's "Breaking Bad" in 2008. Though his character, Jesse Pinkman, was set to die in the first season, series creator Vince Gilligan decided to bring him back as a recurring character thanks to Paul's chemistry with star Bryan Cranston, who plays meth kingpin Walt White.

"I found that out toward the end of the first season, and then the next couple of years, I was in a constant panic, thinking that this kid is going to meet his demise at any time," Paul told A.V. Club last year.

And the end is finally nigh as the last season of "Breaking Bad" airs this summer.

"There’s always the glimmer of hope that you wish for for Jesse, but I just don’t know if that’s going to happen," Paul said, adding, "I know it’s just going to be a bloodbath."