Emmy-winning actor Bob Odenkirk has opened up about his terrifying near-death experience on the set of Better Call Saul, reflecting on the sudden heart attack that left him completely unconscious and physically “gray.”
In a candid new interview with The Times U.K., the 62-year-old actor detailed the life-threatening incident, which occurred during production of the hit show’s final season under strict pandemic restrictions. Odenkirk collapsed mid-scene while co-stars Rhea Seehorn and Patrick Fabian were standing nearby.
A Delayed Response Mid-Scene
Odenkirk explained that because of the safety spacing and social distancing protocols implemented on set at the time, the crew’s initial reaction to his collapse was dangerously delayed. Many crew members tragically mistook the genuine medical emergency for a lighthearted interaction or a scripted choice.
“I went down and [they] grabbed me and they were screaming, but [others] thought they were laughing,” Odenkirk recalled, noting that the confusion severely stalled immediate medical assistance.
The situation was further complicated when the production’s immediate medical support faltered. “I was gone. I turned gray,” Odenkirk recounted, sharing details passed on to him by loved ones after the event. “Eventually the on-set medic showed up and he didn’t know what to do. He’d never done CPR.”
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A Gift of Renewed Perspective
The Saturday Night Live alumnus revealed that he has absolutely no active memory of the heart attack itself or the immediate aftermath, skipping the profound or metaphysical near-death visions that some survivors report.
“The first memory I have is leaving the hospital a week after I got there,” he explained.
Despite the trauma of the event, the actor emphasizes that surviving the health scare gave him an unexpected, beautifully positive outlook on his life and career moving forward. Describing his survival and subsequent recovery phase as a genuine “gift,” Odenkirk shared that he felt immensely “delighted and engaged” with the world in the weeks that followed his hospital release.
The beloved performer has since made a full recovery and is currently active on the promotional circuit for his latest project—the action-comedy film Normal—which was written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad and released theatrically by Magnolia Pictures.