Mike Ehrmantraut


Character Source Material: Breaking Bad (TV Series, AMC)


Mike Ehrmantraut is a former Philadelphia police officer who becomes a private investigator, fixer, and enforcer for various criminal organizations. He is known for his calm demeanor, professionalism, and ruthlessness when necessary.

Mike is known for his professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to keep a level head in difficult situations. He is also very stoic and often appears emotionless, although he is not without compassion. Mike is a man of few words and is very practical, preferring to focus on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. He is also incredibly skilled in various forms of combat and has a talent for surveillance and investigation. Despite his criminal activities, Mike has a strong moral compass and often makes decisions based on what he believes is right, even if it means going against his employers or putting himself in danger.



5 Factor Personality Summary for Mike Ehrmantraut

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 37.15 Average
Agreeableness 9.21 Low
Extraversion 0.35 Low
Conscientiousness 91.02 High
Openness 4.44 Low
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Mike Ehrmantraut

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Moderately Accurate 2

I don’t think Mike Ehrmantraut has a good imagination, as he is very practical and realistic in his work and life. He does not seem to have much creativity or originality in his work or hobbies, and he does not express himself in imaginative or artistic ways. He may have some clever or cunning ideas when he is solving problems or planning his work, but they are based on his experience and knowledge rather than his imagination. He is very focused and rational, and he does not let his imagination run wild or distract him from his goals.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Moderately Accurate 2

I think Mike Ehrmantraut is not interested in abstract ideas, as he is very practical and realistic in his work and life. He does not seem to have much curiosity or passion for abstract or theoretical topics, such as philosophy or art, and he does not engage in them or talk about them with others. He may have some respect or appreciation for them, but he does not find them relevant or useful for his goals or needs. He is very focused and rational, and he prefers to deal with concrete and tangible things that he can see or touch.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Moderately Inaccurate 4

I don’t think Mike Ehrmantraut has difficulty understanding abstract ideas, as he is very intelligent and knowledgeable in his work and life. He may not be interested or involved in abstract or theoretical topics, such as philosophy or art, but he may be able to comprehend them if he wanted to. He may also have some abstract or complex thoughts or insights that he does not share with others, but that he uses to guide his actions or decisions. He is very observant and analytical, and he may be able to understand abstract ideas better than some people who are more emotional or intuitive.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Moderately Inaccurate 2

I don’t think Mike Ehrmantraut has a vivid imagination, as he is very practical and realistic in his work and life. He does not seem to have much interest or time for creative or artistic pursuits, and he does not express himself in imaginative or original ways. He may have some clever or cunning ideas when he is solving problems or planning his work, but they are based on his experience and knowledge rather than his imagination. He is very focused and rational, and does not let his imagination run wild or distract him from his goals.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Moderately Inaccurate 4

I don’t think Mike Ehrmantraut seldom feels blue, as he has a lot of reasons to feel sad or depressed in his work and life. He has lost his son and his wife, and he has to work in the criminal underworld to support his daughter-in-law and granddaughter. He also has to deal with violence and death on a regular basis, and he may have some guilt or regret for his actions or choices. He does not show his emotions or talk about his feelings much, but he may have some inner pain or sorrow that he keeps to himself. He may try to cope with his sadness by doing his work or spending time with his granddaughter, but he may not be able to escape it completely.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Moderately Inaccurate 4

I’m not sure if Mike Ehrmantraut is relaxed most of the time, as he is often involved in dangerous and stressful situations that require his attention and alertness. He may appear relaxed on the surface, but he is always ready to act or react to any threat or problem. He may also have some inner tension or anxiety due to his past and his family, but he does not show it or let it interfere with his work or life. He may have some moments of relaxation or enjoyment when he is with his granddaughter or doing something he likes, but they are probably rare and brief.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Very Inaccurate 1

I don’t think Mike Ehrmantraut gets upset easily, as he is very resilient and adaptable in his work and life. He has faced many challenges and dangers, and has learned to deal with them without losing his cool or his focus. He also does not take things personally or let others get under his skin. He may get annoyed or frustrated by some people or situations, but he does not let it affect his performance or his mood. He is very level-headed and realistic, and does not expect too much from others or himself.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Very Inaccurate 1

I don’t think Mike Ehrmantraut has frequent mood swings, as he is very calm and composed in most situations. He does not show much emotion or expression, and rarely loses his temper or patience. He is also very rational and pragmatic, and does not let his feelings interfere with his work or decisions. He may have some inner turmoil or sadness due to his past and his family, but he does not let it affect his outward behavior.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Very Inaccurate 5

I don’t think Mike Ehrmantraut makes a mess of things, as he is very skilled and experienced in his work and knows how to handle different situations. He also tries to avoid unnecessary violence and complications, and cleans up after himself when he does have to use force. He is very professional and discreet in his work, and does not leave any traces or evidence behind.

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Very Inaccurate 5

Mike is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his methodical approach to his work. He is shown to be highly organized, and his ability to keep things in order is one of his strengths. However, like any character, it is possible that Mike may have moments of forgetfulness or make mistakes, but there is no significant evidence to suggest that this is a recurring issue for him.

Conscientiousness Like order. Moderately Accurate 4

Yes, Mike Ehrmantraut is generally portrayed as a character who values order and discipline. He is a former police officer and his attention to detail and methodical approach to problem-solving reflect this. In both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, he is often seen meticulously planning out his actions and taking a structured approach to his work. Mike is also known for his no-nonsense attitude and his ability to keep his emotions in check, which further highlights his preference for order and control.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Moderately Accurate 4

Mike is generally portrayed as a highly organized and efficient individual who pays great attention to detail. It's possible that he would prioritize completing his chores promptly as part of his disciplined approach to life.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Moderately Accurate 2

That depends on the situation and the person. Mike Ehrmantraut is not very compassionate or sympathetic, and he does not like to get involved in other people’s problems unless they affect him or his interests. He often tells others to mind their own business and to deal with their own issues. He also does not like to share his own problems or feelings with others. However, he does show some concern and assistance for some people, such as Jesse Pinkman and Nacho Varga, who are in danger or trouble because of their involvement in the drug trade. He also tries to help his daughter-in-law Stacey with her financial and emotional problems, and he supports his granddaughter Kaylee with her education and hobbies. He may not be very emotional or sentimental, but he does have a sense of duty and responsibility for some people.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Moderately Inaccurate 4

I don’t think that’s entirely true. Mike Ehrmantraut may not be very sociable or friendly, but he does show some interest in others, especially those who are close to him or who work with him. He cares about his granddaughter Kaylee and his daughter-in-law Stacey, and he tries to provide for them and protect them. He also respects and trusts Gus Fring and Saul Goodman, and he follows their orders and advice. He also forms a bond with Jesse Pinkman and Nacho Varga, and he helps them out of trouble on several occasions. He may not be very talkative or expressive, but he does communicate with others and listen to them. He also has a sense of humor and sarcasm, and he occasionally makes jokes or insults with others.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate 3

Mike Ehrmantraut does feel others’ emotions to some extent, but he does not always express or act on them. He seems to have empathy for some people, such as his granddaughter Kaylee, his son Matt, Jesse Pinkman, and Nacho Varga. He also shows respect and loyalty to some of his employers, such as Gus Fring and Saul Goodman. However, he also has a cold and pragmatic side, and he does not hesitate to kill or harm others if they threaten him or his interests. He rarely shows fear, remorse, or guilt for his actions.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Moderately Accurate 4

Throughout the series, Mike is shown to have a soft spot for his family, particularly his granddaughter Kaylee, whom he cares for deeply. He is also protective of Jesse Pinkman, a former associate, and shows concern for his well-being at various points in the series.

Furthermore, while Mike's communication style is generally straightforward and to the point, he does occasionally offer words of wisdom or encouragement to other characters in the show. For example, in one episode of Breaking Bad, Mike tells Jesse: 'Just because you shot Jesse James, don't make you Jesse James.' This statement suggests that Mike understands the complexity of Jesse's situation and wants to encourage him to make better choices in the future.

In summary, while Mike Ehrmantraut is not always overtly emotional or expressive, he does show empathy and concern for others' feelings in certain situations, particularly when it comes to his family and close associates.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Very Accurate 1

Yes, Mike Ehrmantraut, a character from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is generally portrayed as someone who prefers to keep in the background and avoid unnecessary attention. Mike is a former police officer and a criminal enforcer who is careful to maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention to himself. He is often seen observing his surroundings and taking a cautious approach to his work, which reflects his desire to keep his activities under the radar. Furthermore, Mike is not interested in fame or recognition, and he tends to avoid situations that could result in public exposure. Instead, he prefers to operate quietly behind the scenes, working to achieve his goals without attracting undue attention. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Mike Ehrmantraut prefers to keep in the background.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Very Accurate 1

Yes, it is true that Mike Ehrmantraut, a character from the television series Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is portrayed as a man of few words. He is generally depicted as a quiet, reserved, and serious individual who communicates in a straightforward and concise manner.

Mike is a former police officer and a criminal enforcer, and he is known for his pragmatic approach to problem-solving. He tends to speak only when necessary and is often seen observing and listening to his surroundings. His communication style reflects his personality and his role in the criminal underworld, where he must maintain a sense of control and avoid unnecessary attention. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Mike Ehrmantraut does not talk a lot.

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Moderately Inaccurate 2

There is no indication that Mike Ehrmantraut, a character from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, enjoys attending parties or social events. Even when he is in situations where he must interact with other people, such as when he is working with his criminal associates, he tends to keep his interactions brief and to the point. Mike is generally depicted as a serious and focused individual, who prioritizes his work and responsibilities over socializing. Therefore, it is unlikely that he would talk to lots of different people at parties, as he is not shown to be a social person.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Very Inaccurate 1

[Mike] is not typically portrayed as someone who enjoys partying or socializing. In fact, he is often depicted as a stoic and reserved individual who is focused on his work and personal obligations. While Mike has been known to engage in activities that involve others, such as working with his criminal associates or interacting with his granddaughter, he is generally not portrayed as a social butterfly or the life of the party. Instead, he is often seen as a practical and no-nonsense individual who prioritizes his responsibilities above all else.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".