People Bob Odenkirk
(Picture: 2020 Invision)Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad star Bob Odenkirk collapsed on the show’s New Mexico set on Tuesday and had to be hospitalized – and fans spent most of Wednesday praying for him to pull through.
Crew members called an ambulance that took the 58-year-old actor to a hospital on Tuesday. His condition, and the cause of his collapse, was initially unclear, but his management later said it was a heart-related incident.
Odenkirk has been nominated for four Emmys for playing the title character, a down-on-his-luck lawyer named Jimmy McGill who becomes increasingly corrupt and adopts the pseudonym Saul Goodman. It is a spin-off from the hit show Breaking Bad.
Bryan Cranston – who starred as drugs kingpin Walter White in Breaking Bad – had asked fans to pray and “send positive thoughts” to Odenkirk. Cranston shared a photo of himself with Odenkirk on Instagram.
Michael McKean, Odenkirk’s co-star who played his brother on the show, was among many wishing Odenkirk well on social media.
“Sending huge love to our @mrbobodenkirk,” McKean tweeted. “You got this, brother.”
Odenkirk’s son Nate later tweeted an update on his father’s condition, saying: “He’s going to be okay.”
His management also issued a statement saying he was in a stable condition and would move forwards in his recovery.
“We can confirm Bob is in stable condition after experiencing a heart-related incident,” the statement said.
“He and his family would like to express gratitude for the incredible doctors and nurses looking after him, as well as his cast, crew and producers who have stayed by his side.
“The Odenkirks would also like to thank everyone for the outpouring of well wishes and ask for their privacy at this time as Bob works on his recovery.”
Before the Saul role, Odenkirk was best known for Mr. Show With Bob and David, the sketch comedy series he co-created with David Cross that originally aired on HBO from 1995 to 1998.
He has won two Emmys, for his writing on The Ben Stiller Show and on Saturday Night Live.
He has also appeared on HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show and in the films The Post, Little Women and Nobody.
His health woes had triggered an outpouring of support on social media:
Bob Odenkirk is an international treasure
— alistair green (@mralistairgreen) July 28, 2021
If anything bad happens to Bob Odenkirk, I will fight God. https://t.co/pEyqJFSlJu
— Barbara VanDenburgh (@BabsVan) July 28, 2021
I love Bob Odenkirk and hope he’s doing as ok as possible.
— John Hodgman (@hodgman) July 28, 2021
i love him
— Carrie Wittmer 🐊 (@carriesnotscary) July 28, 2021
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯
🕯 Bob Odenkirk 🕯
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯
need Bob Odenkirk to be ok
— fka ☕️ (@coopercooperco) July 28, 2021
It boiled over into frustration and tension at the lack of updates:
No updates on Bob Odenkirk from his personal PR, AMC or Better Call Saul producers Sony TV. From what I’m being told, everyone is waiting for more information just as we are.
— Lesley Goldberg (@Snoodit) July 28, 2021
i would like a bob odenkirk update please
— katherine krueger (@kath_krueger) July 28, 2021
The people demand a Bob Odenkirk update.
— Maris Kreizman (@mariskreizman) July 28, 2021
im sorry but if i dont hear an update about bob odenkirk today im going to lose my mind
— sean yoo (@SeanYoo) July 28, 2021
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
