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5 Harrowing Minutes: The Full, Updated Story Of Bob Odenkirk's Near-Fatal Heart Attack On The Set Of Better Call Saul

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The terrifying collapse of Emmy-winning actor Bob Odenkirk on the set of his hit show, Better Call Saul, remains one of Hollywood's most discussed near-fatal incidents. While the event occurred in 2021, Odenkirk continues to share vivid, detailed accounts of the "Widowmaker" heart attack, providing fresh context and a powerful message about health and immediate emergency response. As of this December 2025 update, Odenkirk is fully recovered and actively working, but the story of how he was saved is a harrowing testament to the quick thinking of his co-stars and crew.

The incident was far more severe than initially reported, involving a complete cardiac arrest that required three shocks from a defibrillator to restart his heart. Odenkirk’s candid reflections have turned the personal health scare into a public service announcement, detailing the crucial role of CPR and the specific medical condition he faced. Here is the full, updated story of the day the world almost lost its beloved Saul Goodman.

Bob Odenkirk: Complete Biography and Professional Profile

Robert John Odenkirk is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer whose career spans decades across sketch comedy and dramatic television, culminating in a late-career resurgence as a leading man.

  • Full Name: Robert John Odenkirk
  • Born: October 22, 1962
  • Birthplace: Berwyn, Illinois, U.S.
  • Spouse: Naomi Odenkirk (m. 1997), a producer and his manager.
  • Children: Two
  • Key Career Milestones:
    • Sketch Comedy Writer (1987-1995): Started as a writer for Saturday Night Live, winning an Emmy Award. He also wrote for Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
    • Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995-1998): Co-created and starred in the influential HBO sketch comedy series with David Cross.
    • Breakout Dramatic Role (2009-2013): Joined the cast of AMC's Breaking Bad as the slick, morally flexible lawyer Saul Goodman.
    • Lead Role (2015-2022): Starred as the protagonist, Jimmy McGill, who transforms into Saul Goodman, in the critically acclaimed prequel series Better Call Saul, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
    • Action Star (2021): Led the action film Nobody, cementing his transition to a versatile leading actor.

The "Widowmaker": A Small Heart Attack with Massive Consequences

The incident occurred on July 28, 2021, while Odenkirk was taking a break on the set of the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul in New Mexico.

The actor was in the middle of filming the episode "Point and Shoot" when he collapsed. He later clarified that he had suffered a "small heart attack," but the medical reality was far more severe: it was a Widowmaker heart attack—a complete blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which is often fatal.

Odenkirk had known about a heart issue for years, but doctors had initially advised against medication. The blockage was reportedly a result of plaque buildup, which ruptured.

The Harrowing 5-Minute Lifeline: CPR and the Defibrillator

The moments immediately following Odenkirk’s collapse were a chaotic and terrifying race against time. The speed and quality of the emergency response are credited with saving his life, as the lack of oxygen during cardiac arrest causes irreparable brain damage within minutes.

The Initial Freeze and the Heroic Response:

  • When Odenkirk collapsed, he immediately "turned gray."
  • One on-set medic reportedly "froze in his tracks" because the nature of the emergency was so severe and unexpected.
  • Fortunately, the show’s health safety officer, Rosa Estrada, and co-stars Rhea Seehorn (who played Kim Wexler) and Patrick Fabian (who played Howard Hamlin) were nearby.
  • Estrada and Seehorn immediately began administering CPR.

The crew's swift action, particularly the immediate application of CPR, kept blood and oxygen flowing to Odenkirk's brain until an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) could be brought to the scene. The AED was necessary because his heart had stopped completely—a state known as cardiac arrest.

The actor’s heart did not respond to the first two shocks from the defibrillator. It was only after the third shock that his heart was successfully restarted. This critical intervention highlights the life-saving importance of having AEDs readily available and personnel trained in high-quality CPR.

From Hospital to Home: The Road to Full Recovery

Odenkirk was rushed to a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where doctors performed a procedure to unblock the artery. He confirmed that the medical team was able to "fix the blockage without surgery" using a non-surgical procedure, likely involving the insertion of a stent to keep the artery open.

Following the procedure, Odenkirk was quickly in stable condition. His family and representatives released a statement confirming the heart-related incident and his recovery. The outpouring of love and support from fans and the Hollywood community was immense, with former co-stars like Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul sharing well wishes.

He was discharged from the hospital and began a period of recovery. He publicly thanked the medical staff and Rosa Estrada, the on-set medic, for their crucial actions.

A New Perspective on Life and Work

After a five-week break to recover, Odenkirk returned to the set of Better Call Saul to complete the final episodes of the series. His commitment to finishing the role of Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman was a testament to his professionalism and passion for the craft.

In his most recent interviews in 2024 and 2025, Odenkirk has repeatedly stated that he is "doing great" and is fully recovered. The near-death experience has profoundly changed his outlook on life, particularly regarding his work ethic and the concept of an "overly driven lifestyle."

He has since taken on new projects, including the television series *Lucky Hank*, demonstrating his renewed energy and commitment to his acting career. The event serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing health, even for those who seem invincible on screen. The story of Bob Odenkirk’s heart attack is no longer just a celebrity health scare; it is a life-saving lesson in emergency preparedness and the power of immediate, decisive action.

Key Entities and Topics Related to Bob Odenkirk's Health Scare

  • Saul Goodman: Odenkirk’s iconic character in the *Breaking Bad* universe.
  • Jimmy McGill: The original identity of the character before he became Saul Goodman.
  • Better Call Saul: The AMC prequel series where the incident occurred.
  • Widowmaker Heart Attack: The specific, severe type of heart attack Odenkirk suffered (LAD artery blockage).
  • Cardiac Arrest: The complete stopping of the heart, which required defibrillation.
  • CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): The life-saving technique administered by Rosa Estrada and Rhea Seehorn.
  • Defibrillator (AED): The device used to shock Odenkirk’s heart back into rhythm.
  • Rosa Estrada: The on-set health safety officer credited with administering crucial aid.
  • Rhea Seehorn & Patrick Fabian: Co-stars who were present and aided in the emergency response.
  • New Mexico: The location where the filming and the heart attack took place.
  • Stent: The likely medical device inserted to keep the blocked artery open.
  • Nobody (2021): The action film Odenkirk starred in, showcasing his physical transformation.
  • Breaking Bad: The original series that introduced the Saul Goodman character.
  • Lucky Hank: One of Odenkirk's major projects following his recovery.
bob odenkirk heart attack
bob odenkirk heart attack

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