Odenkirk 'in stable condition' after 'heart-related' collapse

Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA

Bob Odenkirk is 'in stable condition' after 'heart-related' collapse on 'Better Call Saul' set

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 7/29/21

Family, friends and fans of Bob Odenkirk were holding their collective breath when word spread that the 58-year-old actor, comedian and writer collapsed while filming the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul and was transferred to an Albuquerque, N.M., hospital on Tuesday (July 27).

Odenkirk's representatives provided a positive update Wednesday afternoon (July 28).

"We can confirm Bob is in stable condition after experiencing a heart-related incident," reads a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter's Lesley Goldberg. "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."

Goldberg added: "Sources say production was a little more than halfway done on the final season at the time of Odenkirk’s heart attack. Production remained halted Wednesday as everyone involved with the series remains focused on Odenkirk’s health. It’s unclear how long production will remain down."

Odenkirk's son, Nate Odenkirk, also sent a reassuring tweet Wednesday:

He's going to be okay.
— Nate Odenkirk (@birthdaynate) July 28, 2021

Better Call Saul is the prequel spin-off series for Odenkirk's popular character Jimmy McGill, better known as Saul Goodman, on Breaking Bad (2008-13). During the former acclaimed AMC series, Goodman was a sleazy lawyer called upon by Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) when things go awry with their meth lab. Both series were created by Vince Gilligan.

Odenkirk additionally has a memoir due out Jan. 18, 2022, through Random House titled Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama: A Memoir. As relayed by Deadline in late April, the book captures "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."

The two-time Emmy winner built his foundation as a writer on Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O'Brien from the late 1980s to mid-'90s. Long before Breaking Bad, Odenkirk was known for such titles as Mr. Show with Bob and David and The Ben Stiller Show.