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Odenkirk, 58, collapsed during production of
his darkly humorous AMC crime drama, which was shooting its
sixth and final 13-episode season, and was taken to a nearby
hospital, two sources close to the actor confirmed to Reuters on
Tuesday night, on condition of anonymity.
Representatives for the actor issued a brief statement on
Wednesday saying the performer was listed in stable condition
"after experiencing a heart-related incident."
"He and his family would like to express gratitude for the
incredible doctors and nurses looking after him, as well as his
cast, crew and producers who have stayed by his side," the
statement said.
His 22-year-old son, aspiring actor Nate Odenkirk, posted a
message on Twitter saying: "He's going to be okay."
According to show business trade publication The Hollywood
Reporter, the elder Odenkirk suffered a heart attack, but that
could not be independently verified.
"Better Call Saul" is a prequel spinoff of the hit AMC crime
drama "Breaking Bad," which introduced Odenkirk as Saul Goodman,
the shrewd, sharp-witted criminal defense lawyer for that show's
protagonist, high school teacher-turned-methamphetamine chemist
Walter White, played by Cranston.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Cranston said he was "anxious
all morning" after waking up to news of Odenkirk's collapse.
"He is in the hospital in Albuquerque and receiving the medical
attention he needs," Cranston wrote. "Please take a moment in
your day today to think about him and send positive thoughts and
prayers his way."
Another friend and former co-star, David Cross, who appeared
with Odenkirk in the 1990s HBO sketch comedy series "Mr. Show
with Bob and David," tweeted, "Bob is one of the strongest
people I know both physically and spiritually."
Cross added: "He WILL get through this."
Odenkirk's publicists and management team declined to comment on
the situation. AMC and Sony Pictures Television, which produces
"Better Call Saul," did not immediately respond to requests for
a statement.
"Better Call Saul" traces the transformation of Odenkirk's
character from a onetime two-bit scam artist and struggling
public defender named Jimmy McGill into the morally conflicted
attorney Saul Goodman, who ultimately makes a career
representing drug traffickers and underworld figures.
The show has earned Odenkirk four Primetime Emmy Award
nominations. His motion picture credits include supporting roles
in such films as "Nebraska," "The Post" and "Little Women." More
recently he starred in the big-screen action thriller "Nobody."
(Reporting by Steve Gorman; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Aurora
Ellis)
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