https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/bob-odenkirk-hospitalized-collapse-better-call-saul-1235029033/

Bob Odenkirk Hospitalized After Collapsing on ‘Better Call Saul’ Set

By Elise Shafer
Variety

“Better Call Saul ('https://variety.com/t/better-call-saul/')” star Bob Odenkirk ('https://variety.com/t/bob-odenkirk/') was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday after collapsing on the set of the AMC show, Variety has confirmed.

Odenkirk is currently in production on the sixth and final season of “Better Call Saul,” a spin-off of the wildly popular series “Breaking Bad.” Odenkirk collapsed on Tuesday at the show’s set in New Mexico and crew members immediately called an ambulance. Odenkirk is still receiving medical care, though the cause of the collapse has not been disclosed.

Odenkirk, who is 58, portrays con-man lawyer Saul Goodman in “Better Call Saul” and “Breaking Bad.” “Better Call Saul” zeroes in on the character’s transformation from the criminally-inclined Jimmy McGill to powerful criminal defense lawyer Saul. Odenkirk’s work on “Better Call Saul” has yielded him four Golden Globe nominations for best actor in a television series drama, and four Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.

Odenkirk recently starred in the action film “Nobody,” which received generally favorable reviews from critics and debuted at the top of the box office charts. During an interview with Variety ('https://variety.com/2021/film/features/bob-odenkirk-nobody-movie-better-call-saul-1234936690/') about the film, Odenkirk discussed becoming a bonafide action star for the role.

“I was at the wonderful 87eleven gym, surrounded by the top stunt actors in the world training, including people like Keanu Reeves and Jason Statham and Halle Berry,” Odenkirk said. “I’m a comedy writer, who is gradually sufferingly making my way into this discipline. I was just feeling embarrassed at how bad I was when these pros are 25 feet away.”

The 13-episode final season of “Better Call Saul” is expected to premiere in early 2022.

Representatives for AMC, Sony Pictures Television and High Bridge Productions did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment. TMZ ('https://www.tmz.com/2021/07/27/bob-odenkirk-hospitalized-after-collapsing-on-set-better-call-saul/') was the first to report the news of the incident.

https://www.tmz.com/2021/07/27/bob-odenkirk-hospitalized-after-collapsing-on-set-better-call-saul/

TMZ reports and The Hollywood Reporter and other outlets (https://deadline.com/2021/07/bob-odenkirk-collapses-set-better-call-saul-hospital-1234801211/) have confirmed (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bob-odenkirk-collapses-better-call-saul-set-1234989244/) that the 58-year-old Odenkirk collapsed Tuesday morning while he and his Better Call Saul co-stars were shooting a scene on the show's set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (TMZ initially reported that Odenkirk collapsed at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.) "We're told Odenkirk went down, and was immediately surrounded by crew members who called an ambulance," reports TMZ. "Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they got a call to the lot at 11:34 AM for a medical emergency. We're told it's unclear if he was conscious when he was transported, but a source close to Odenkirk tells us he is still in the hospital under the care of doctors." Odenkirk has been filming the sixth and final season of the Breaking Bad spinoff. Neither Sony nor AMC has yet to comment on the incident.

Bryan Cranston asks for "positive thoughts and prayers" for Bob Odenkirk (https://www.instagram.com/p/CR3-S72pFCy/)

Cranston wrote this morning of his former Breaking Bad co-star on Instagram: "Today I woke up to news that has made me anxious all morning. My friend, Bob Odenkirk collapsed last night on the set of Better Call Saul. He is in the hospital in Albuquerque and receiving the medical attention he needs but his condition is not known to the public as yet. Please take a moment in your day today to think about him and send positive thoughts and prayers his way, thank you." ALSO: Aaron Paul wrote on Instagram: "I love you my friend." (https://www.instagram.com/p/CR4EIXSHdMW/)

From Nate Odenkirk, Bob's son, on Twitter (https://twitter.com/birthdaynate/status/1420515313943302151):

He's going to be okay.

And a statement from Bob's representatives ('https://twitter.com/ditzkoff/status/1420517534453977092'):

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.

https://twitter.com/davidcrosss/status/1421164595629248515 ('https://twitter.com/davidcrosss/status/1421164595629248515?s=21')

Just got off the phone with Bob and he's doing great! Joking and japing and joshing. Both he and his family are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and concern everyone has shown. You will be hearing from him soon. But he's doing really well!!!

https://twitter.com/mrbobodenkirk/status/1421195860466089991


Hi. It's Bob.

Thank you.

To my family and friends who have surrounded me this week.

And for the outpouring of love from everyone who expressed concern and care for me. It’s overwhelming. But I feel the love and it means so much.

I had a small heart attack. But I'm going to be ok thanks to Rosa Estrada and the doctors who knew how to fix the blockage without surgery.

Also, AMC and SONYs support and help throughout this has been next-level. I'm going to take a beat to recover but I'll be back soon.

Even a small heart attack is concerning. I hope he makes a full recovery.

Even a small heart attack is concerning. I hope he makes a full recovery.

I honestly think he’s downplaying it because he doesn’t want people to worry about him. I guess it was seriously touch-and-go at first, with him unconscious for a few hours. I’m no doctor, but that doesn’t sound small.

I honestly think he’s downplaying it because he doesn’t want people to worry about him. I guess it was seriously touch-and-go at first, with him unconscious for a few hours. I’m no doctor, but that doesn’t sound small.

You may be right plus he will probably have to go on some serious medication to help prevent a second heart attack. I like him as an actor and hope he does recover fully from it.

You may be right plus he will probably have to go on some serious medication to help prevent a second heart attack. I like him as an actor and hope he does recover fully from it.

Same.

Bob Odenkirk went for a walk with Better Call Saul co-star Michael Mando (https://twitter.com/mrbobodenkirk/status/1426007592296345602)

"Just had a walk with my pal Michael Mando," Odenkirk tweeted Thursday night in his latest post-heart attack update. "I keep getting good energy, hugs, love, from everyone, strangers, old friends...and then there's the field of dreams game. I can't take all this goodness at once, but I guess I'll have to. Hope you are having a great day today."

Bob Odenkirk credits CPR and intense training for his Nobody role, in addition to his Better Call Saul co-stars, for his heart attack survival (https://www.primetimer.com/item/Bob-Odenkirk-credits-CPR-and-intense-training-for-his-Nobody-role-in-addition-to-his-Better-Call-Saul-co-stars-for-his-heart-attack-survival-QwSxz8)

Odenkirk previously told The New York Times how co-stars and roommates Rhea Seehorn and Patrick Fabian were responsible (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/09/magazine/bob-odenkirk-better-call-saul.html) for helping him and alerting the rest of the crew when he suffered heart attack on set last year. While visiting The Howard Stern Show this morning, Odenkirk was asked if his intense training for action movie Nobody contributed to his heart attack. "In fact, it saved my life," Odenkirk said, describing how it took three tires of the defribillator to get his heart back in rhythm. "One of the things that saved me is I learned how to work out," he added. "And because I was in good shape, you kind of enlarge some of the ...other veins around your heart if you work out a lot. And I had done that. And as a result, I was told that more blood was able to then go to my heart during CPR because these veins were just a little bit bigger from a lot of working out." Odenkirk noted that he required much faster than usual.