Update (Wednesday, July 28, 6:52 p.m. ET): Odenkirk collapsed due to a “heart-related incident,” TMZ wrote Wednesday evening, adding that though “it was touch-and-go for the last day… it looks like he’s now out of the woods.” Odenkirk’s son, Nate, seemed to confirm the news on Twitter around the same time, posting without elaboration: “He’s going to be okay.”
Odenkirk’s representatives also sent a statement to Vanity Fair confirming the report: “We can confirm Bob is in stable condition after experiencing a heart related incident. 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.”
The original story continues below.
Bob Odenkirk collapsed on the New Mexico set of Better Call Saul and was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday, TMZ first reported and CNN later confirmed. The 58-year-old was filming the Breaking Bad spin-off’s sixth and final season in Albuquerque when the episode occurred.
“Odenkirk went down, and was immediately surrounded by crew members who called an ambulance,” according to TMZ’s sources. The cause of Odenkirk’s collapse and his current condition are unclear at this time. He is still reportedly receiving medical care for the incident.
Better Call Saul has earned Odenkirk four Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nods for his portrayal of enterprising criminal defense attorney Saul Goodman. Prior to this award-worthy performance and his role on Breaking Bad, Odenkirk co-created and co-headlined in the HBO sketch series Mr. Show With Bob and David alongside David Cross. His other comedy credits include Emmy-winning stints writing for Saturday Night Live and The Ben Stiller Show. In recent years, Odenkirk has dabbled in more dramatic work, such as the action film Nobody and period drama Little Women.
After news of Odenkirk’s hospitalization was reported, some of the actor’s collaborators sent well wishes on social media. Mr. Show cohort Cross tweeted, “I will share what I know when I can but Bob is one of the strongest people I know both physically and spiritually. He WILL get through this.” Michael McKean, who plays his brother on Better Call Saul, wrote, “Sending huge love to our @mrbobodenkirk. You got this, brother.”
In 2022, both the final 13 episodes of Better Call Saul and Odenkirk’s new memoir are expected to premiere. It was announced in April that the actor’s book, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama: A Memoir, will be published by Random House on January 18, 2022. According to the publisher, Odenkirk’s memoir will explore “the highs and lows of showbiz, his legendary cult status as a comedian, and what it’s like to reinvent a showbiz career after 50 and scale new heights.”
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