Better Call Saul's Bob Odenkirk Gets Praise From AMC Boss After On-Set Heart Attack

Jimmy McGill tricking a witness into identifying the wrong person during a court case in Better Call Saul

Fans of Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk were shocked to hear of his heart attack, which led to an outpouring of support for the actor and many wishing him a speedy recovery. Well wishes and tributes came seemed to have come from every corner of the Internet, and this included a statement from AMC – Better Call Saul’s home network. Now, the network has spoken further on the actor’s medical emergency through executive Josh Sapan, and the AMC Networks boss had nothing but praise for the star as he continues his recovery.

AMC seemed to be keeping track of the various well wishes Bob Odenkirk’s friends and co-stars, including his former Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston, were sending him. Around the time fans received an update on the actor's health through his Twitter, AMC released a statement in which it expressed gratitude for the kind sentiments sent to Odenkirk and his family during that time. The network also shared its comfort in the fact that the star was going to make a recovery.

During AMC Networks’ second-quarter earnings call (via Deadline), AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan paid tribute to the recovering Bob Odenkirk, offering the company’s warm wishes to the actor. The AMC executive said this about the Better Call Saul star:

[Bob is] someone who’s very close to us and our company. [We] have been lucky enough to know and work with Bob for a very long time. It’s close to impossible to spend any time around Bob without developing great appreciation for his talents and spirit and who he is as a person. We are so glad he’s on the mend and just wanted to pause and wish him all the best in his recovery, which is now under way.

While Josh Sapan offered well-wishes to Bob Odenkirk, he didn’t address the current situation surrounding Better Cal Saul’s sixth and final season. At the time of Odenkirk’s heart attack, the final season was in the middle of production. However, the AMC drama isn’t scheduled to return until 2022, so there's a chance a delay may not be too significant for its release timeline.

It’s good to know that AMC doesn't appear to be pressuring the Better Call Saul star to return to work anytime soon, and Josh Sapan’s tribute to Bob Odenkirk shows just how valuable the actor is to the network. Sapan’s characterization of Odenkirk illustrates a person whose full talent and spirit are injected into his work. That’s honestly pretty clear, considering his Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman is regarded as one of television’s best characters.

Hopefully, fans will get an update on Odenkirk's status, as well as the show's, soon. And while Season 6 of Better Call Saul is on pause, we at CinemaBlend continue to wish Bob Odenkirk a speedy recovery.

Adreon Patterson
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A boy from Greenwood, South Carolina. CinemaBlend Contributor. An animation enthusiast (anime, US and international films, television). Freelance writer, designer and artist. Lover of music (US and international).