Viewers of the season 5 premiere episode of Breaking Bad Sunday night may have noted in the closing credits that the show was dedicated to Kevin Cordasco, the Calabasas resident who lost his battle with neuroblastoma at the age of 16 in March.
The screen credit read: "Dedicated to our friend: Kevin Cordasco."
It turns out that Kevin had a poignant relationship with the cast and crew of the hit AMC series, according to his mother, Melodie Cordasco.
"Earlier in the year, a friend of ours asked Kevin what she could do to make him feel better," Melodie said. "He told her that he'd love to meet the stars of 'Breaking Bad' which was his favorite show."
Through a fluke connection at AMC, the friend was able to hook Kevin up with the show. Shortly thereafter, Bryan Cranston, the series' star, paid Kevin a visit in the hospital.
"He came over on a Saturday night [last September] and stayed for three hours," Melodie said. "Kevin was just so thrilled."
Following Cranston's initial visit, the show's producer, Vince Gilligan, as well as several other cast members, came to meet the teenager at his home.
"It was so amazing that they came," said Melodie. "They all sat around my kitchen table for almost two-and-a-half hours."
In early March, Kevin had an opportunity to meet with the show's writers. He was even invited to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the show is shot, to be written into an episode.
"Unfortunately, he became to sick to travel and couldn't make it," Melodie said.
About a week after Kevin's death, Melody received a letter from Gilligan informing her that he would dedicate a show to her son.
"We do very few dedications," said Melissa Bernstein, Breaking Bad's co-executive producer. "Kevin was just one of those people who meant a lot to the show."
Kevin was considered a very intelligent and insightful young man by everyone he met, Bernstein said.
"He actually lifted the spirits of both Bryan and Vince when they met," she said. "Vince even offered to tell Kevin how the show ends, but Kevin said he wanted to watch the show and find out like everyone else, which really touched Vince."
The producers decided that it was only fitting to dedicate the first episode of the show's final season.
"It was the best of the last chapter," Bernstein said.
Melodie said she is "honored" that the producers thought so highly of Kevin and that the dedication meant so much to her and her family.
"I'll bet Kevin is looking down right now and saying, "Look, Mom, I made it,'" she said.
Kevin, who had been diagnosed with the disease at the age of 9, was a well-known activist for cancer fundraising and research and often spoke on behalf of the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
His mantra was "Courage, Strength, Believe."
For those unfamiliar with the show, Breaking Bad is about a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with terminal lung cancer who turns to illicit activities in order to provide for his family upon his demise.Find out what's happening in Calabasaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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