Bob Odenkirk has achieved one of the most improbable small-to-big screen transitions in recent years. Originally slated to appear in only four episodes as shady lawyer Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad, creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould were impressed by his performance and promoted him to a series regular. This led to the critically acclaimed spin-off Better Call Saul, now regarded as one of the finest spin-offs ever made.
From Supporting Roles to Leading Man
In 2021, Odenkirk surprised audiences as a mild-mannered family man turned bone-crunching action hero in Nobody, a role for which he trained intensively for two years. Released during the pandemic, the film was unexpectedly successful, prompting a sequel. Now, he tests his knack for making deeply questionable characters oddly endearing by playing a dodgy small-town sheriff in Ben Wheatley's new film, Normal, alongside Henry Winkler as the town mayor.
A Career Built on Writing and Comedy
Odenkirk began as a writer, honing his comic instincts on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Ben Stiller Show, while quietly building an acting resume. He started with bit parts, playing Concert Nerd in Wayne's World, Bookstore Man in The Truth About Cats & Dogs, and Dog Groupie in Dr Dolittle 2. He also appeared in TV shows such as Roseanne, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, and The American Office, and had a recurring role as Larry's agent on The Larry Sanders Show.
Alongside David Cross, Odenkirk co-created and starred in the cult sketch series Mr. Show, which aired on HBO from 1995 to 1998 and helped redefine alternative comedy on US television.
Odenkirk's Versatility and Future Projects
Now firmly established as an unconventional leading man, Odenkirk continues to toggle between comedy and drama, sometimes within the same scene. He played the US president in the romantic comedy Long Shot with Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, a kindly father in Greta Gerwig's Little Women, and a conniving boyfriend in The Bear. In a bizarre twist, he is also an 11th cousin to King Charles III.
Bob will be answering reader questions about his career, from squat cobblers to Chicago sunroofs. Submit your questions by 6pm Monday 11 April, and his answers will be printed as part of our reader interview series. Normal is in cinemas from 15 May.
