Bob Odenkirk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Odenkirk
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Odenkirk in 2018
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Robert John Odenkirk
October 22, 1962 Berwyn, Illinois, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Southern Illinois University Carbondale (BA) |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Naomi Yomtov
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Bill Odenkirk (brother) |
| Awards | Full list |
Robert John Odenkirk (born October 22, 1962) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is famous for playing Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill in the TV shows Breaking Bad (2008–2013) and its spin-off Better Call Saul (2015–2022). For his role in Better Call Saul, he was nominated many times for top acting awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He also won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series three times.
Before becoming a well-known actor, Odenkirk was a writer for popular TV shows. These included Saturday Night Live (1987–1991) and The Ben Stiller Show (1992). He won Emmy Awards for his writing on both shows. He also wrote for Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–1994).
Odenkirk co-created and starred in the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995–1998) with David Cross. They later made a Netflix series called W/ Bob & David (2015). He has also acted in films like Nebraska (2013), The Post (2017), and Little Women (2019). In 2021, he starred in the action film Nobody. He also voiced a character in the Pixar animated movie Incredibles 2 (2018).
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Early Life and Education
Robert John Odenkirk was born in Berwyn, Illinois. He grew up in Naperville. He is one of seven children. His parents were Walter Henry Odenkirk and Barbara Mary Baier Odenkirk. Bob's younger brother, Bill Odenkirk, is also a comedy writer.
Bob went to Naperville North High School. He graduated at 16 because he had enough credits. He then attended College of DuPage and later transferred to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. There, he practiced his writing and performing skills on the college radio station. He even created a late-night comedy show called The Prime Time Special.
After three years of college, Odenkirk moved to Chicago to try writing and improv comedy. He studied with famous comedy teachers like Del Close. He also performed at places like Improv Olympic, where he met future Saturday Night Live stars like Chris Farley. Odenkirk said his biggest comedy influence was Monty Python's Flying Circus. He liked their smart humor and funny physical comedy.
Career Highlights
Starting in Comedy and TV Writing
Odenkirk began his career as a writer for Saturday Night Live in 1987. He worked there until 1991. He wrote many sketches with Robert Smigel and Conan O'Brien. During his time there, he created the popular character "Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker" for Chris Farley. This character later became famous on SNL.
After leaving SNL, Odenkirk moved to Los Angeles. He wrote for other TV shows like Get a Life. In 1992, he joined the cast of The Ben Stiller Show as both a writer and actor. The show won an Emmy Award for its writing. He also wrote for Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1993 and 1994.
Mr. Show and Directing
In 1993, Odenkirk met David Cross on The Ben Stiller Show. They started performing live comedy shows together. These shows eventually became Mr. Show with Bob and David. This sketch comedy series aired on HBO for four seasons. Many comedians who are famous today, like Sarah Silverman and Jack Black, appeared on Mr. Show early in their careers. The show was liked by critics and gained a strong fan base.
After Mr. Show, Odenkirk started directing films. In 2003, he directed Melvin Goes to Dinner. This film received good reviews. He also directed Let's Go to Prison (2006) and The Brothers Solomon (2007). Odenkirk also helped develop animated shows for Adult Swim, like Tom Goes to the Mayor and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job.
Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul
In 2009, Odenkirk joined the cast of AMC's hit show Breaking Bad. He played the role of Saul Goodman, a clever but dishonest lawyer. His character was only supposed to be in a few episodes. However, Bob's performance was so good that the creators decided to make Saul Goodman a regular character. He became a series regular for the rest of the show.
Because of the character's popularity, a spin-off series called Better Call Saul was created. It started in 2015. Odenkirk starred as the main character, showing how Jimmy McGill became the lawyer Saul Goodman. The show was set before the events of Breaking Bad. Odenkirk was also a producer for the series.
Better Call Saul was very successful and ran for six seasons, ending in 2022. It received many awards and nominations. While working on Better Call Saul, Odenkirk also took on more important roles in movies. These included The Post and Little Women. In 2021, he starred in the action-thriller film Nobody, which was a big hit at the box office.
Recent Work and Recognition
In 2017, Odenkirk published his first book, A Load of Hooey. It is a collection of funny sketches and essays. He also co-wrote, produced, and starred in the Netflix film Girlfriend's Day.
In 2020, Odenkirk started his own production company called Cal-Gold Pictures. He plans to create new and interesting stories through this company. On April 18, 2022, Bob Odenkirk received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is right next to the star of his Breaking Bad co-star, Bryan Cranston.
In 2022, a new TV series starring Odenkirk was announced for AMC. It is called Lucky Hank and is based on a novel. It premiered in March 2023. In 2022, Odenkirk also published his memoir, Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama. He also wrote a collection of children's poetry with his daughter, Erin, called Zilot & Other Important Rhymes, which came out in 2023.
In 2023, Odenkirk appeared in the FX series The Bear. He played Uncle Lee in one episode. This role earned him a nomination for an Emmy Award. It has also been announced that Odenkirk will make his Broadway debut in 2025. He will star in a play called Glengarry Glen Ross.
Personal Life
In 1997, Bob Odenkirk married Naomi Yomtov. She later became an executive producer for W/ Bob & David. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
Odenkirk has mentioned that he has some color blindness. Because of this, he lets the costume department choose the right outfits for his roles. In 2019, his college, Southern Illinois University, gave him an honorary degree called Doctor of Performing Arts.
In 2021, Odenkirk had a health scare while filming Better Call Saul. He was hospitalized but recovered well and returned to work. He later shared that he had a heart attack and needed medical help to recover.
On the PBS show Finding Your Roots, Odenkirk learned that he is related to royalty! He is a distant cousin of King Charles III.
Acting Credits and Awards
Images for kids
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Odenkirk in 2018
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Odenkirk in January 2005
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Odenkirk at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con
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Odenkirk (left) and Lavell Crawford as Saul Goodman and Huell Babineaux during the filming of the fourth season of Breaking Bad
See also
In Spanish: Bob Odenkirk para niños
