Bob Odenkirk

Who Is Bob Odenkirk?

Bob Odenkirk is a seasoned comedian and actor who has had a long career in the entertainment industry. Throughout his journey, he faced periods of struggle in securing consistent work. However, his career took a major turn when director Vince Gilligan offered him the role of the morally ambiguous lawyer Saul Goodman in the second season of Breaking Bad. Despite having no prior knowledge of the show or even watching an episode, Odenkirk accepted the role, citing financial necessity. His decision proved pivotal, as by the end of the show’s prequel, Better Call Saul, Odenkirk had earned five Emmy nominations for his portrayal of the complex character.

Early Years

Robert John Odenkirk was born on October 22, 1962, in Berwyn, Illinois, to Barbara (Baier) and Walter Odenkirk. He grew up in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago, in a family of seven children. Odenkirk’s formative years were marked by hardship, as his father left the family when Bob was just nine years old. He has referred to his father as a “hollow man” and has openly discussed how the emotional pain of his father’s abandonment shaped his later work in acting. Growing up in the 1970s, Odenkirk found inspiration in the British TV show Monty Python, which influenced his comedic sensibilities.

Odenkirk attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he worked as a DJ for the college radio station WIDB. However, he left the university just three credits shy of graduation to pursue a career in comedy, relocating to Chicago to engage in local improv workshops and open-mic stand-up performances.

Television Shows and Movies

Saturday Night Live, Get a Life, and The Ben Stiller Show

Bob Odenkirk’s journey in television began in 1987, when he met comedian Robert Smigel in Chicago, who helped him secure a writing position on Saturday Night Live. Odenkirk worked on the show until 1995, earning an Emmy in 1989 for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program. During his time at SNL, he created memorable characters such as the motivational speaker Matt Foley, portrayed by Chris Farley, who famously “lives in a van down by the river.” He also co-wrote The Superfans, a sketch about passionate Chicago sports fans. Despite his success, Odenkirk faced challenges in getting his material on air. In his 2022 memoir, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama, he candidly reflected on his SNL experience: “Sadly, as a writer, I was a waste of bagels! I was trying too hard, but the more I failed, the more I tried. It’s a sick cycle that afflicts many a fresh SNLer…” He often watched the show from home, “sneering through tears” as his sketches were overlooked.

In the 1990s, Odenkirk appeared on The Larry Sanders Show and contributed as a writer for Get a Life, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and The Dennis Miller Show. He also worked on The Ben Stiller Show, where he won a second Emmy for writing in 1993.

Mr. Show

In 1995, Odenkirk and David Cross, a fellow writer and performer from The Ben Stiller Show, co-created Mr. Show, an HBO comedy that became a cult classic. The show was known for its surreal, interconnected sketches, often featuring bizarre scenarios like a Pope-inspired highway chase or a Scientology-type initiation. The show ran for four seasons and has since garnered a devoted following, praised for its innovative and absurd humor.

Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Nobody

After Mr. Show ended in 1998, Odenkirk faced a challenging period in his career, which included auditions for roles like Michael Scott on The Office (a role that ultimately went to Steve Carell) and creating pilots that were never picked up. Despite these setbacks, Odenkirk continued to pursue new opportunities, performing stand-up and making guest appearances on shows such as Just Shoot Me, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Arrested Development.

In 2009, Odenkirk’s career took a dramatic turn when he was cast as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad. The show, which followed a teacher-turned-methamphetamine kingpin (played by Bryan Cranston), allowed Odenkirk to showcase his talents as the morally flexible, fast-talking lawyer. His performance was so compelling that it led to the prequel Better Call Saul, a show that further explored his character’s backstory. Better Call Saul was met with critical acclaim, with NPR calling it “possibly the best dramatic TV series ever made.”

Odenkirk’s career continued to evolve when he starred in the 2021 action film Nobody, where he played a vengeful hero skilled in hand-to-hand combat. The film was a commercial success, grossing $55 million and highlighting Odenkirk’s versatility as an actor.

Personal Life

Odenkirk is married to producer Naomi Odenkirk, and the couple has two children.