
Robert John Odenkirk was born in Berwyn, Illinois, to Barbara (Baier) and Walter Odenkirk, who worked in printing. His ancestry includes German and Irish. He grew up in Naperville, IL, the second of seven children. He worked as a DJ for WIDB, his college radio station at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Three credits shy of graduation, he moved to Chicago. He began work there in local improv workshops. He also did open-mic stand-up comedy for several years. In Chicago, he became friends with Robert Smigel, who would later help him become a writer for Saturday Night Live (1975).In 1987, Bob was hired as a writer for Saturday Night Live (1975) and in 1989 he went on to win an Emmy for his writing work. He worked on the show from season 13 to 20 (1987-1995). However, he had trouble getting his work on the air, so he began work as a writer for Get a Life (1990) starring Chris Elliott. The show was quickly canceled, but he was soon hired as writer for The Dennis Miller Show (1992). On that show he made his acting debut and was noticed by Ben Stiller, who later hired him as a writer and actor for The Ben Stiller Show (1992). The show only lasted for 13 episodes, but Bob won another Emmy for his writing.After The Ben Stiller Show (1992) was canceled, Bob made recurring appearances (1993-1998) on The Larry Sanders Show (1992) as Stevie Grant, Larry's hyperactive agent. He also wrote for Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) during 1993-94. During this time Bob hooked up with fellow The Ben Stiller Show (1992) writer David Cross, also a stand-up comedian. They started doing sketch-comedy shows together in Los Angeles. In 1995, they got their own show on HBO (Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995)). The show lasted for four seasons and 30 episodes.After Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995) ended, Bob wrote Run Ronnie Run (2002) and directed three feature films (Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003), Let's Go to Prison (2006) and The Brothers Solomon (2007)). After 1998, he has also made many guest appearances on TV shows like Just Shoot Me! (1997), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996), Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999), Ed (2000), Everybody Loves Raymond (1996), Less Than Perfect (2002), Arrested Development (2003), How I Met Your Mother (2005) and Weeds (2005). In 2009, he appeared on many episodes of Breaking Bad (2008) as Saul Goodman, a shyster lawyer. He is also in Son of Morning (2011) and Operation: Endgame (2010).
Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 8 wins & 11 nominations.
The Late Late Show with James Corden | Unknown | 2015-03-23 |
Better Call Saul | Jimmy McGill 50 episodes, 2015-2020 | 2015-02-08 |
Fargo | Bill Oswalt 9 episodes, 2014 | 2014-04-15 |
Drunk History | Unknown | 2013-07-09 |
The Birthday Boys | Various Characters / ... 11 episodes, 2013-2014 | 2013 |
Talking Bad | Unknown | 2013-08-11 |
Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories | Unknown | 2013-10-31 |
Comedy Bang! Bang! | Unknown | 2012-06-01 |
Jon Benjamin Has a Van | Unknown | 2011 |
NTSF:SD:SUV | Unknown | 2011-07-21 |
Bob's Burgers | Unknown | 2011-01-09 |
Funny or Die Presents... | Unknown | 2010-02-19 |
Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule | Unknown | 2010-05-16 |
Conan | Unknown | 2010-11-08 |
Pretend Time | Unknown | 2010-10-12 |
The Goode Family | Unknown | 2009-05-27 |
The League | Unknown | 2009-10-29 |
Breaking Bad | Saul Goodman 43 episodes, 2009-2013 | 2008-01-20 |
The Life & Times of Tim | Unknown | 2008-06-01 |
Human Giant | Unknown | 2007 |
The Sarah Silverman Program. | Unknown | 2007-02-01 |
Rules of Engagement | Unknown | 2007-02-03 |
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Announcer / ... 27 episodes, 2007-2013 | 2007-02-11 |
The Office | Unknown | 2005-03-24 |
American Dad! | Unknown | 2005-02-06 |
Weeds | Unknown | 2005-08-07 |
How I Met Your Mother | Unknown | 2005-09-19 |
Entourage | Unknown | 2004-07-18 |
Joey | Unknown | 2004-09-09 |
Tom Goes to the Mayor | Announcer / ... 21 episodes, 2004-2006 | 2004-11-14 |
Real Time with Bill Maher | Unknown | 2003-02-21 |
Arrested Development | Unknown | 2003-11-02 |
Crank Yankers | Unknown | 2002-06-02 |
Dinner for Five | Unknown | 2001-07-06 |
Ed | Unknown | 2000-10-08 |
Curb Your Enthusiasm | Unknown | 2000-10-15 |
TV Funhouse | Unknown | 2000-12-06 |
Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Unknown | 2000-12-30 |
Futurama | Unknown | 1999-03-28 |
Just Shoot Me! | Unknown | 1997 |
Tenacious D | Unknown | 1997-11-28 |
Everybody Loves Raymond | Unknown | 1996-09-13 |
3rd Rock from the Sun | Unknown | 1996-01-09 |
The Dana Carvey Show | Unknown | 1996-03-12 |
The Daily Show | Unknown | 1996-07-22 |
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist | Unknown | 1995-05-28 |
NewsRadio | Unknown | 1995-03-21 |
Mr. Show with Bob and David | Self - Host / ... 30 episodes, 1995-1998 | 1995-11-03 |
Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Unknown | 1994-04-15 |
The Larry Sanders Show | Unknown | 1992-08-15 |
Get a Life | Unknown | 1990-09-23 |
Seinfeld | Unknown | 1989-07-05 |
Roseanne | Unknown | 1988-10-18 |
Saturday Night Live | Unknown | 1975-10-11 |