Bob Odenkirk’s brush with mortality on the “Better Call Saul” set not only rattled fans and colleagues, but also marked a harrowing first-day trial for the set medic. The actor, now reflecting on the incident nearly three years later, shared a chilling account during a conversation on the Multiple Talking Women podcast. On what seemed like any other day of filming, the Emmy-nominated star’s heart “pretty much stopped,” slowing down to a pace so slow that he “turned grey and stopped breathing.”
This dire turn of health could have been catastrophic, had it not been for the timely intervention of medical staff, albeit with a moment of initial shock that might seem more fitting for a dramatic scene than real life. “It was his first day,” Odenkirk recounted. “And he said, ‘Oh no.'” The medic, a retired firefighter, faced his own trial by fire as he stumbled upon Odenkirk in critical condition, and the actor was none the wiser at the time, having lost consciousness.
The gravity of the situation could not be overstated, as no one wishes to hear such foreboding words from a healthcare provider, especially in a moment of life-threatening urgency. Nevertheless, the medic’s response, though momentarily stunned, progressed into action, and later into an apology. “Weeks later when I came back, he said, ‘I’m so sorry it was my first day, I have been a firefighter,’ — he was retired — ‘I’ve never done CPR. l have only ever seen other people do it,’” Odenkirk shared, illuminating the medic’s remorse and inexperience with the lifesaving procedure.
The date was July 28, 2021, in New Mexico, when the “Nobody” star’s small heart attack led to his hospitalization. Fans and colleagues breathed a collective sigh of relief days later when Odenkirk referred to the event as a “small heart attack.” His resilience shone through as he returned to the set to wrap up the final season of the series in early September of the same year.
Relevant articles:
– Bob Odenkirk recalls having his heart attack on the Better Call Saul set medic’s first day: ‘He said, ‘Oh no”
– Bob Odenkirk recalls having his heart attack on the “Better Call Saul” set medic’s first day: ‘He said, ‘Oh no”, Yahoo Singapore News, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 03:12:00 GMT