Bob Odenkirk has opened up about his heart attack on the set of Better Call Saul in 2021, revealing how close he came to a tragic outcome.
On-Set Emergency
During an interview with The Times of London, Odenkirk described the harrowing experience. "I went down and Rhea [Seehorn] and Patrick [Fabian] grabbed me and they were screaming," he recalled. However, initial responses were delayed as some crew members thought the actors were laughing. "I was gone. I turned gray," he said, noting that the on-set medic was unprepared and had never performed CPR.
Recollection and Recovery
Odenkirk, who was 58 at the time, collapsed while filming a Season 6 episode. He did not experience a clichéd life-flashing-before-eyes moment. "The first memory I have is leaving the hospital a week after I got there," he shared.
Following his recovery, Odenkirk has found a new appreciation for life. He described this period as "such a gift," expressing feelings of delight and engagement.
Health and Lifestyle Changes
The Times of London reports that the heart attack resulted from a build-up of plaque blocking an artery. Since the incident, Odenkirk has made significant lifestyle changes, reducing sugar intake and using statins, aspirin, and metoprolol—a beta-blocker for lowering blood pressure.
Public Support
Amid the ordeal, Odenkirk received an outpouring of support from fans and the entertainment community. Days after the heart attack, he expressed gratitude on social media. "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," he wrote on X, then known as Twitter.
Odenkirk's journey serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact of community and support during challenging times.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/bob-odenkirk-heart-attack-better-call-saul-turned-gray-1236751203/
