What Are the Enneagram Types of Breaking Bad Characters?

Analyzing Breaking Bad Enneagram types is both entertaining and educational, as it offers insight into the personalities and underlying motives of the characters from one of the best TV shows of all time. In doing so, it also gives you a better understanding of how the Enneagram test and personality framework work through fictional archetypes.

Keep reading to discover the Enneagram types of Breaking Bad characters, from Walter White to Tuco Salamanca and beyond!

Which Enneagram Types Are the Characters From Breaking Bad?

Let’s analyze the Enneagram personality types of the most memorable characters from AMC’s Breaking Bad:

#1. Walter White – Enneagram 5

Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Walter White is one of the most popular fictional Fives of all time. Enneagram Fives fear being incompetent and incapable of handling challenges, which is precisely what drives Walter to engage in criminal activities. Instead of accepting money for cancer treatment from family friends, he chooses to produce illegal drugs, even if it puts him and his loved ones in danger.

As Walter’s moral agency deteriorates and he begins to overidentify with his callous alter ego, Heisenberg, his personality type also changes. His insatiable desire for control, dominance, and power most closely resembles an unhealthy Eight.

Interestingly, both Fives and Eights want to remain self-sufficient above all else, which might also explain why the cancer diagnosis brought out the worst in him; when unhealthy, both of these types may go to extreme lengths to maintain a sense of control over their lives.

#2. Jesse Pinkman – Enneagram 9

Credit: Ben Rothstein/AMC

Jesse Pinkman is a fictional Enneagram Nine who can be easily mistaken for a Six by those with a limited understanding of Enneagram arrows.

We first meet Jesse as a hedonistic, impulsive guy whose rebellious attitude hides a surprisingly kind, gentle soul. Like a typical Nine, he has a laid-back approach to life. However, his blunt communication style and tough façade suggest that he’s an Enneagram 9w8.

As his life begins to fall apart, Jesse grows significantly unhealthier, which becomes particularly visible after Jane’s passing. He engages in escapism and addictive behaviors to cope with loss, the greatest fear of Nines.

Eventually, Jesse’s personality disintegrates, taking on the unhealthy traits of Sixes. He becomes hypervigilant, loyal to a fault, and overly dependent on Walter, even though their relationship only brings him anxiety and pain.

#3. Skyler White – Enneagram 2

Credit: AMC

Skyler White from Breaking Bad is an Enneagram Type 2, as evident from her unwavering dedication to her loved ones. While she has strong moral values (e.g., she feels disappointed when she learns that Marie has made a habit of stealing), she’s willing to bend them to keep her family tight and safe. As such, she’d likely identify as a Type 2w1 on the Enneagram test.

Twos can also be controlling, especially when they fear being abandoned, and so can Skyler. She eagerly takes charge, often without consulting her husband, Walter, whom she attempts to control through manipulative means, such as guilt-tripping him into getting treatment.

#4. Hank Schrader – Enneagram 8

Credit: Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Courageous and outspoken, Hank Schrader is a fictional Enneagram 8 character. Eights have a direct communication style, which can certainly be said about Hank, who often comes across as rude due to his bluntness. Like anyone with this bold personality type, he wants to stay in control of his life and fiercely protects his loved ones from harm.

Furthermore, Hank is energetic and sociable; his witty jokes often lighten up the mood. This, paired with his adaptability, suggests he’s likely an Enneagram 8w7.

#5. Marie Schrader – Enneagram 2

Credit: Ursula Coyote/AMC

Marie Schrader is another great example of a fictional Enneagram 2 characterwith deep character flaws. As an unhealthy Enneagram 2w3, she first comes across as conceited, snobby, and shallow. She also shows some controlling tendencies, as she doesn’t hesitate to tell Skyler how to run her household. This reveals a hidden desire to be needed.

Although Marie has her weaknesses, including kleptomania, she eventually shows considerable character growth. By the end of the show, we see her as a loving, supportive wife who patiently cares for her husband, displaying exceptional emotional maturity.

#6. Saul Goodman – Enneagram 7

Credit: AMC

The charismatic and quick-witted Saul Goodman is a personification of the Enneagram Type 7, albeit at very unhealthy levels. Like most male Sevens, he lives in the world of possibilities and has no shortage of ideas. Because many of these revolve around cunning schemes and financial fraud, he is also an accurate representation of the trickster archetype.

Moreover, Saul always has a plan B for both himself and anyone he does business with. This, coupled with his ability to reframe challenges into opportunities, is one of the reasons why he thrives in chaos. His caution and strategic thinking alone point to him being an Enneagram 7w6.

#7. Gus Fring – Enneagram 1

Credit: AMC

Gus Fring, one of the most iconic villains in Breaking Bad, is an Enneagram 1 fictional character. Ones strive for perfection, and his perfectionist tendencies are evident in his entire being, from his polished appearance to his meticulous and systematic approach to work.

And when someone challenges his way of doing things, he becomes even more rigid, calculated, and callous. A perfect example of this is when Gus eliminates Victor in front of Walt and Jesse to remind them of the potential consequences of disrupting his system following Gale’s murder.

However, in most cases, Gus remains calm and controlled. His quiet demeanor and ability to adapt to different environments come from his Enneagram wing; reserved and detached, he clearly belongs to Type 1w9.

#8. Walter White, Jr. – Enneagram 9

Credit: Ursula Coyote/AMC

Walter White Jr. is another Enneagram 9 in Breaking Bad. Generally sweet and resilient, he supports his father’s recovery by raising funds online to cover medical costs. Like a typical Nine, he avoids conflict but often mediates disagreements between his mother and father as their marriage begins to deteriorate.

Once he finds out about his father’s criminal activities, Walter White Jr. can no longer control his anger and disappointment. Because of how openly he expresses his frustration, he most closely resembles an Enneagram 9w8.

#9. Tuco Salamanca – Enneagram 8

Credit: AMC

Tuco Salamanca exemplifies the Enneagram Type 8 at extreme levels of unhealthiness. He navigates life using pure force and intimidation, and his addiction to drugs only amplifies his violent tendencies. However, like a true Eight, he’s deeply devoted to his family.

Tuco also clearly exhibits numerous Dark Triad traits, including egoism, poor impulse control, and a lack of empathy. Because of his unpredictable and highly impulsive nature, it’s safe to say that he has an Enneagram 7 wing, which brings out his thrill-seeking and risk-taking tendencies.

Supporting Characters and Their Possible Enneagram Types

Below is a list of Breaking Bad Enneagram types that covers some of the most unforgettable characters from the show we’ve yet to mention:

• Enneagram 1. Juan Bolsa and Dr. Barry Goodman are Enneagram 1 men, meaning they are principled, rule-oriented, and self-controlled. Juan Bolsa, for example, comes off as a serious-minded, pragmatic businessman, much like Gus.
• Enneagram 2. Twos crave love and acceptance, making them highly people-oriented. Some examples of Enneagram Twos in Breaking Bad include Gretchen Schwartz, Diane Pinkman, and the Group Leader, i.e., Jesse’s primary counselor at rehab.
• Enneagram 3. Threes, such as Ted Beneke and Krazy-8, strive to be successful and recognized for their accomplishments.
• Enneagram 4. Creative yet troubled, Jane Margolis is an excellent example of the emotionally complex Enneagram Type 4, which is characterized by a desire to be unique.
• Enneagram 5. Fives value knowledge and competence above all else. Jake Pinkman, Jesse’s younger brother, perfectly captures the essence of this cerebral personality type.
• Enneagram 6. Sixes like Steven Gomez and Lydia Rodarte-Quayle are loyal and reliable individuals who desire to feel safe and secure. This is particularly apparent in Steve’s loyalty to Hank and Lydia’s cautious approach to business.
• Enneagram 7. Freedom and happiness are the core desires of Type 7. Brandon Mayhew "Badger," who largely serves as comic relief in the series due to his fun-loving, somewhat childish personality, is a great example of this personality type.
• Enneagram 8. There’s no shortage of fictional Enneagram Eights in Breaking Bad; some characters that exemplify this forceful personality type include Hector Salamanca, Don Eladio, and Bogdan Wolynetz.
• Enneagram 9. Andrea Cantillo, Gale Boetticher, and Huell Babineaux embody the quiet, harmony-oriented Enneagram Type 9. Mike Ehrmantraut, known for his level-headedness and professional, calm demeanor, also belongs to this type.

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Final Thoughts

And now you know what makes Walter White an Enneagram Five, Jesse Pinkman an Enneagram Nine, and Gus Fring an Enneagram One!

The bottom line is that analyzing Breaking Bad Enneagram types can be very insightful, especially if you’re interested in learning more about the dark side of the Enneagram. After all, the pressure these characters face in each episode brings out their unhealthy traits, such as controlling tendencies in Twos (e.g., Skyler White) or aggression in Eights like Tuco Salamanca.

Better yet, exploring the Enneagram types of Breaking Bad characters can give you insight into your own blind spots and harmful behavioral patterns, thereby contributing to your personal growth.