Bob Odenkirk condition stable after ‘heart related incident’ on Better Call Saul set
Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk had a “heart-related incident” when he collapsed on the show’s set in New Mexico, and his condition was stable as he recovered in hospital, his representatives said.
“We can confirm Bob is in stable condition after experiencing a heart related incident,” the statement issued on Wednesday 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.”
Odenkirk collapsed on Tuesday on the Albuquerque set where the Breaking Bad spin-off is shooting its sixth and final season. Crew members called an ambulance that took the 58-year-old actor to a local hospital.
Shortly before the statement was released, Odenkirk’s son Nate tweeted; “He’s going to be OK.”
According to show business trade publication The Hollywood Reporter, the elder Odenkirk suffered a heart attack, but that could not be independently verified.
The sixth season of the spin-off prequel to Breaking Bad is set to air next year.
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, the “criminal lawyer” who appeared in dozens of episodes of Breaking Bad.
Michael McKean, Odenkirk’s co-star who played his brother on the Better Call Saul, was among many wishing Odenkirk well on social media during an anxious night and day where little news beyond his collapse and hospitalisation was released.
“Sending huge love to our @mrbobodenkirk,” McKean tweeted. “You got this, brother.”
Odenkirk’s Breaking Bad co-stars also showed their love and concern.
“Today I woke up to news that has made me anxious all morning,” Bryan Cranston said on Instagram, along with a photo of himself with Odenkirk. “Please take a moment in your day today to think about him and send positive thoughts and prayers his way.”
Cranston’s co-star Aaron Paul posted an Instagram picture of Odenkirk with the caption: “I love you my friend.”
Before the “Saul” role, Odenkirk was best known for Mr Show With Bob and David, the sketch comedy series he cocreated with David Cross that originally aired on HBO from 1995 to 1998.
On Tuesday night, Cross tweeted: “Bob is one of the strongest people I know both physically and spiritually. He WILL get through this.”
Odenkirk 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.