Biography & Career Of Bob Odenkirk

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Biography & Career Of Bob Odenkirk

Robert John Odenkirk, also known as Bob Odenkirk, is a multi-talented American actor, screenwriter, comedian, and producer.

He has gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the character Saul Goodman on the critically acclaimed series Breaking Bad and its successful spin-off Better Call Saul.

Early Life And Education

Robert John Odenkirk was born on October 22, 1962, in Berwyn, Illinois, U.S. He was raised by his parents, Walter and Barbara Odenkirk, along with his brother Bill Odenkirk.

Odenkirk attended Naperville North High School and graduated at the age of 16. He then attended the local College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, before transferring to Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.

Despite leaving high school early, Odenkirk was able to continue his education and pursue his career.

Career

Early Career (1980s-1990s)

During his early career, Odenkirk started as a writer, working on shows like Saturday Night Live and The Ben Stiller Show.

He also collaborated with David Cross on sketch comedy, culminating in the cult classic HBO series Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995).

Breaking into Mainstream (2000s)

Despite his success, Odenkirk’s mainstream breakthrough didn’t come until the early 2000s when he landed the role of sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman in the hit series Breaking Bad.

This role earned him significant recognition and led to the spin-off series Better Call Saul.

Leading Man (2010s-present)

Odenkirk has become recognized as a leading man, starring in his own critically acclaimed series Better Call Saul and branching out into film roles.

He directed films such as Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003), Let’s Go to Prison (2006), and The Brothers Solomon (2007).

Building a Repertoire (1990s-2000s)

After Mr. Show, Odenkirk continued writing and acting, appearing in various TV shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, Arrested Development, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

He also showcased his dramatic acting abilities in films like Nebraska (2013) and the hit TV series Breaking Bad (2008-2013).

Breakthrough and Beyond (2000s-present)

The turning point came in 2008 with his portrayal of the sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad.

The character’s popularity led to the spin-off Better Call Saul (2015-2022), where Odenkirk delivered a nuanced performance that earned him critical praise and numerous Emmy nominations.

Awards and Nominations

• Primetime Emmy Awards: Nominated six times for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in Better Call Saul.

• Wins: Won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1989 and 1993 for his work on Saturday Night Live and The Ben Stiller Show respectively.

• Other Awards: Nominated for Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Satellite Awards. Won the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Series, Drama/Genre for Better Call Saul in 2021 and 2023.

Personal Life

Robert John Odenkirk has been happily married to Naomi Odenkirk since 1997. Naomi, a producer and talent manager, has been a supportive and integral part of Bob’s successful career.

The couple has two children together, Nate Odenkirk and Erin Odenkirk. Nate has followed in his father’s footsteps and is a comedic writer, while Erin has pursued an art career.

Filmography

Television

• Breaking Bad (2008-2013): Gained mainstream recognition for his role as Saul Goodman.

• Better Call Saul (2015-2022): Focuses on the character of Saul Goodman before he became involved with Walter White.

• Nobody (2021): Plays a mild-mannered man who becomes a vigilante.

• The Office (2009): Guest-starred as a documentary filmmaker.

• Fargo (2014): Appeared in the first season of this FX anthology series.

Film

• Nebraska (2013): Played a supporting role.

• The Post (2017): Appeared in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama.

• Incredibles 2 (2018): Lent his voice to a character.

• Little Women (2019): Had a small role in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation.

Director

• Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)

• Let’s Go to Prison (2006)

• The Brothers Solomon (2007)

Net Worth

Bob Odenkirk is best known for his work as an actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer. With a net worth of $16 million, he has achieved great success in his career and continues to be a highly respected figure in the industry.