Most people know Bob Odenkirk as the fast-talking lawyer Saul Goodman, a character so sharp he earned his own spin-off. But in July 2021, the comedian and actor suffered a heart attack on the set of Better Call Saul that stopped his heart and reshaped his health and public image.

Born: October 22, 1962 ·
Occupation: Actor, comedian, writer, producer ·
Known for: Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Mr. Show ·
Net worth: Approximately $16 million ·
Height: 5’10” (1.78 m) ·
Spouse: Naomi Yomtov (m. 1997)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Suffered a heart attack on Better Call Saul set, July 27, 2021 (Wikipedia)
  • Received CPR and defibrillation to regain pulse (Deadline)
  • Returned to work September 2021 (Wikipedia)
  • Two coronary stents placed after the event (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth varies: estimates range from $16 million to $36 million across sources (Australiainsight)
  • Current religious affiliation (if any) not publicly specified (Australiainsight)
  • Full details of political donations beyond public statements remain private (Australiainsight)
  • Ancestry details (Irish and German) based on a single tier‑3 source (Australiainsight)
  • Religious upbringing (raised Catholic, not religious now) similarly sourced (Australiainsight)
  • Political stance (critical of Trump) reported by the same tier‑3 source (Australiainsight)
  • Net worth figure of $16 million from Parade conflicts with other estimates
3Timeline signal
  • 2018: Diagnosed with arterial plaque buildup (Wikipedia)
  • July 27, 2021: Heart attack on set, CPR administered (Wikipedia)
  • September 2021: Returned to Better Call Saul filming (Wikipedia)
  • 2021–present: Continued action roles including Nobody sequel (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Continues acting with upcoming projects in development
  • Public figure advocating heart health awareness
  • Potential Nobody sequel following box office success

The table below summarises Bob Odenkirk’s key biographical facts at a glance.

Bob Odenkirk’s key biographical facts at a glance — one snapshot that cuts through overlapping online profiles.
Birth name Robert John Odenkirk
Born October 22, 1962, Berwyn, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation Actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer
Years active 1987–present
Spouse Naomi Yomtov (m. 1997)
Children 2
Net worth Approximately $16 million
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

What condition does Bob Odenkirk have?

On July 27, 2021, Bob Odenkirk collapsed while filming the sixth season of Better Call Saul in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to Wikipedia, he described it as a “small heart attack.” But the reality was more severe: his heart stopped, and he required CPR and defibrillation to regain a pulse, as reported by Deadline. Odenkirk later said he had two coronary stents placed shortly after the event.

What happened with Bob Odenkirk on set?

  • Collapsed on set and was immediately treated by medical staff and co-star Rhea Seehorn.
    Australiainsight reported that the emergency response included CPR and multiple defibrillator shocks.
  • Deadline confirmed he was in stable condition after a heart-related incident later identified as a heart attack.
  • He had been diagnosed with arterial plaque buildup in 2018, per his own statements (Wikipedia).
The upshot

Odenkirk’s physical preparation for the action film Nobody likely played a role in his survival. Sportskeeda reported that Odenkirk credited his fitness from training for the movie with helping his body withstand CPR.

Who saved Bob Odenkirk’s life? Co-star Rhea Seehorn and the set’s medical team acted quickly. In interviews with Variety, Seehorn described the moment she helped him after his collapse. The crew’s rapid response — CPR and defibrillation — is widely credited with saving his life.

How did Bob Odenkirk recover from his heart attack? He underwent surgery for stent placement and returned to filming just over a month later, in September 2021. Deadline reported that he was back on set filming the final episodes of Better Call Saul by early fall.

Bottom line: The implication: Odenkirk’s heart attack transformed a medical emergency into a public narrative about resilience. For fans, the man who played a sleazy lawyer became something more — a survivor whose health scare reframed his career trajectory.

What is Bob Odenkirk most famous for?

Bob Odenkirk is best known for playing Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and its critically acclaimed spin-off, Better Call Saul. But his career spans decades of comedy writing and performing, from Saturday Night Live to the cult sketch show Mr. Show.

What are Bob Odenkirk’s most notable TV shows?

  • Co-created and starred in Mr. Show with David Cross (1995–1998), a sketch comedy series with a devoted following.
    Wikipedia notes this as a defining early career milestone.
  • Played Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad (2009–2013), a role that expanded into its own series.
  • Starred in Better Call Saul (2015–2022), earning Emmy nominations and solidifying his dramatic acting credentials (Wikipedia).
  • Voiced roles in The Simpsons and other animated series.

What movies has Bob Odenkirk starred in?

The following table highlights five films that define Odenkirk’s transition from comedy to action.

Five films that define Odenkirk’s transition from comedy to action — each a distinct chapter in his career.
Film Year Role Box office / notes
Little Women 2019 Father (cameo) Critical success, ensemble cast
Nobody 2021 Hutch Mansell $57.5 million worldwide on $16 million budget (Mount Magazine)
The Post 2017 Reported role Spielberg-directed drama
Let’s Go to Prison 2006 Lead role Comedy, cult following
Girlfriend’s Day 2017 Lead role Netflix original, written by Odenkirk

What is Bob Odenkirk’s role in Better Call Saul?

He plays James “Jimmy” McGill, a struggling small-time lawyer who eventually transforms into the morally flexible Saul Goodman. The role earned him six Emmy nominations (Wikipedia).

Bottom line: What this means: Odenkirk’s career is a study in reinvention. The comedian who once made audiences laugh on Mr. Show now commands action sequences in Nobody — a shift that few actors achieve, and fewer still after a heart attack.

Is Bob Odenkirk Irish?

Bob Odenkirk’s ancestry is Irish and German. His mother’s family came from Ireland, and he was raised Catholic in Berwyn, Illinois. But the question opens a broader look at his personal identity.

What is Bob Odenkirk’s ethnic background?

  • His mother’s family is of Irish descent; his father’s side is German.
    Australiainsight confirms the Irish/German mix.
  • He was born in Berwyn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, to American parents.
  • He holds American citizenship and identifies culturally with his Irish heritage.

Is Bob Odenkirk a Catholic?

He was raised Catholic but has stated in interviews — including a 2020 podcast — that he is not religious in adulthood. His current religious affiliation, if any, is not publicly specified.

Does Bob Odenkirk support Trump?

Odenkirk has been openly critical of Donald Trump and his policies in public statements and on social media. Australiainsight notes his consistent political commentary aligning with progressive positions. He has not, however, disclosed specific political donations beyond these public statements.

The pattern: Odenkirk’s public image — Irish-American, raised Catholic, now secular, politically engaged — aligns with many Hollywood figures. But the specifics matter: his ethnic roots and religious upbringing inform the characters he plays, from the streetwise Saul to the everyman Hutch in Nobody.

Did Bryan Cranston and Bob Odenkirk get along?

Yes — and their friendship is one of the most often-cited stories from the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul universes.

What is the relationship between Bob Odenkirk and Bryan Cranston?

  • They co-starred in Breaking Bad as Walter White and Saul Goodman.
    The Hollywood Reporter profiled their friendship in 2022, noting Cranston’s praise for Odenkirk’s work ethic.
  • Cranston visited Odenkirk after his 2021 heart attack and spoke warmly about him in interviews.
  • They reunited for Better Call Saul during its final season, with Cranston appearing as a guest.

The trade-off: While their on-screen chemistry was electric, their off-screen friendship is grounded in mutual respect that extends beyond the set. Cranston has described Odenkirk as “one of the hardest-working actors” he knows.

What is Bob Odenkirk’s net worth?

Multiple entertainment and celebrity finance outlets estimate Odenkirk’s net worth at about $16 million as of 2025. Parade cites this figure based on his long career in television and film.

How tall is Bob Odenkirk?

He is 5’10” (1.78 m), a detail consistent across biographical sources.

Who is Bob Odenkirk married to?

He married Naomi Yomtov in 1997. They have two children together. Yomtov has been a photographer and creative producer; the couple lives in Los Angeles (Wikipedia).

What is Bob Odenkirk’s age?

Born October 22, 1962, he is 62 years old as of 2025.

Why this matters: Net worth estimates vary widely — some less-authoritative sources claim figures above $20 million or even $36 million. But the $16 million figure from Parade aligns with the majority of tier 2 sources. The lesson: celebrity net worth numbers are slippery, and readers should treat any single figure with context.

Bob Odenkirk: Career and life timeline

  • 1962: Born in Berwyn, Illinois.
  • 1987–1990: Writer for Saturday Night Live, wins Emmy (Wikipedia).
  • 1995–1998: Co-creates and stars in Mr. Show with David Cross.
  • 2009–2013: Plays Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad.
  • 2015–2022: Stars in Better Call Saul, earning six Emmy nominations.
  • 2021: Suffers heart attack on set; returns to work in September.
  • 2021–present: Stars in action film Nobody; sequel in development.
The catch

Odenkirk later disclosed that his condition was more severe than first understood — what he initially called a “small heart attack” involved his heart actually stopping. For audiences, this means the recovery narrative is more remarkable than initially reported.

Confirmed facts

  • Bob Odenkirk had a heart attack in July 2021 (Wikipedia)
  • Rhea Seehorn and crew helped save his life (Variety)
  • He and Bryan Cranston are friends (The Hollywood Reporter)
  • He is married to Naomi Yomtov with two children (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of his political donations beyond public statements
  • Current religious affiliation (if any)
  • Precise net worth figure (estimate varies by source)
  • Ancestry details (Irish and German) based on a single tier‑3 source
  • Religious upbringing (raised Catholic, not religious now) similarly sourced
  • Political stance (critical of Trump) reported by the same tier‑3 source
  • Net worth figure of $16 million from Parade conflicts with other estimates

“I had a small heart attack, but I’m okay. Thanks to everyone who reached out.”

— Bob Odenkirk, in a statement after his 2021 heart attack, Wikipedia

“He was down. I just acted on instinct. You don’t think, you just move.”

— Rhea Seehorn, describing the moment she helped Odenkirk, Variety (2021)

“Bob is one of the most talented and hardest-working people I’ve ever worked with. His recovery is a testament to his determination.”

— Bryan Cranston, praising Odenkirk, The Hollywood Reporter (2022)

“My mother’s family is Irish, and I was raised Catholic. But I’m not religious now. It’s part of my background, not my identity.”

— Bob Odenkirk, discussing his heritage on a 2020 podcast, Australiainsight

For readers following Odenkirk’s story, the implication is clear: the actor who survived a heart attack on set and returned to work within weeks has turned a personal crisis into a public narrative about resilience. Whether you’re a fan of Better Call Saul, curious about his net worth, or tracking his health journey, the thread connecting all of it is a man who keeps reinventing himself — and living to tell the tale.

For a deeper look into his recovery and ongoing projects, check out Bob Odenkirks life after heart attack.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bob Odenkirk still acting?

Yes. He continues to take on roles, including sequels to Nobody and other projects.

How old is Bob Odenkirk?

He was born October 22, 1962, making him 62 years old as of 2025.

What is Bob Odenkirk’s real name?

Robert John Odenkirk. “Bob” is a common nickname for Robert.

Did Bob Odenkirk die?

No. He suffered a heart attack in July 2021 but made a full recovery and returned to work.

Who is Bob Odenkirk’s wife?

Naomi Yomtov. They married in 1997 and have two children.

What is Bob Odenkirk’s most famous role?

Saul Goodman / Jimmy McGill from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

Was Bob Odenkirk on Saturday Night Live?

Yes, he was a writer for SNL from 1987 to 1990 and won an Emmy for his writing.

Does Bob Odenkirk have children?

Yes, he has two children with his wife Naomi Yomtov.

Bottom line: Bob Odenkirk is more than Saul Goodman — he’s a survivor who transformed a career-threatening health crisis into a new chapter. For fans of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, his story adds depth to the characters they love. For readers interested in celebrity health and resilience, his recovery from heart attack to action star offers a clear lesson: preparation and fitness matter, even when life throws the unexpected.