When A Comedy Star Decides To Be An Action Star

TL;DR

Bob Odenkirk's transition from SNL writer and Saul Goodman to action hero in Nobody proves his career defies every label.

Key Points

• 1.Odenkirk's comedy roots are unusually deep. He wrote for SNL alongside Conan O'Brien, created Matt Foley for Chris Farley, won an Emmy for the Ben Stiller Show, and co-created cult classic Mr. Show with David Cross in 1995.
• 2.Saul Goodman was only meant to last three episodes. Creator Vince Gilligan expanded the role after being impressed by Odenkirk's season 2 debut, inspired by his love of Mr. Show's comedic genius.
• 3.Nobody (2021) was the pivotal action pivot. Written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, the film cast Odenkirk as a secret assassin hiding in suburbia, requiring two years of rigorous physical training with the John Wick stunt coordinator.
• 4.The action transition worked because of his full comedic toolkit. Hutch Mansell's believability as a 'sad dad' drew on Odenkirk's years as a physical comedian, stoic sketch performer on Mr. Show, and indie film dramatic actor.
• 5.Odenkirk is compared to Liam Neeson's late-career reinvention. With Nobody 2 and festival film Normal in the pipeline, and a continued influence behind the scenes nurturing acts like Tim & Eric and I Think You Should Leave, his reinvention is ongoing.