When you hear the name “Odenkirk,” your mind probably jumps straight to Bob Odenkirk, the actor who gave us the unforgettable Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. But lurking in the background is his brother who’s been just as influential in shaping TV comedy—Bill Odenkirk. He may not have the same star power as Bob, but his impact on the comedy world is equally impactful.
Bill’s life hasn’t been all laughs, though. Back in the late ’90s, he faced a tough battle with cancer. Weekly interferon treatments knocked him down but didn’t knock him out. He kept pushing forward, both in his health fight and his writing career.
Despite this ordeal, Bill emerged with a refined comedic edge, continuing to produce clever scripts. His work behind the scenes proves you don’t need to be in front of the camera to leave a significant mark on TV comedy.
Curious to know more about this unsung hero of television comedy? Let’s dive into five surprising facts about Bill.
His Parents Were Complete Opposites Of One Another
Bill was born on October 13, 1965, in Naperville, Illinois, to a family with strong German and Irish roots. Growing up Catholic in Chicago, his childhood was a real mixed bag.
His mom Barbara was the family’s rock, pouring her heart into raising good kids even when times were tough. His dad Walter, a printing industry worker and Navy vet, never quite warmed up to the whole fatherhood thing.
Money was often tight in the Odenkirk home, but Barbara made sure her children had what really mattered. While Walter kept his distance, she stepped up to fill both parental roles.
Life threw the family some curveballs. Walter passed away in 1986 when Bill was just 21. Barbara kept things going for decades until she peacefully slipped away in 2021 at 85.
He Openly Credits His Brother Bob For Influencing His Career
Bill, born into a big family with six siblings, has always had a good connection with his brother Bob. In an interview with Shaw Local, Bill credited his older brother for influencing his career path.
“Bob was absolutely critical to me doing this career. I would not have done it otherwise,” he admitted. He reminisced about tagging along during Bob’s early stand-up and improv days, lending a hand wherever possible. He recalled fondly,
I sort of followed his career and helped out when I could and was thrilled to be a part of whatever he was up to.
Despite their close relationship, working together proved challenging. Bill acknowledged their shared stubborn streak with a touch of humor: “We’re both very difficult people.” He even drew a playful comparison to collaborating with a music legend, saying, “It’s sort of like saying, ‘Do you think you’ll ever work with Paul McCartney?’ Well, Paul McCartney doesn’t need me.”
As their careers evolved, so did their paths. Bob was engrossed in filming Better Call Saul in New Mexico, while Bill pursued his own projects. Their communication adapted to their busy lives, with Odenkirk noting, “I text him, more than anything,” to keep up with his brother’s packed schedule.
His Blissful Married Life After A Failed Romance
Bill has been happily married to Sarah Conley for over two decades now. But his path to marital bliss had its share of heartbreaks, as he shared on the Story Worthy Podcast.
On the podcast, he opened up about a relationship that ended disastrously. In September 2001, he decided to take a trip to Rome with his then-girlfriend, despite tensions brewing between them. They had a heated argument before departing, but he was eager to see Rome and pushed ahead with the plans.
Just as they arrived, the world was shaken by the 9/11 attacks, adding to the already strained atmosphere between them. They spent nine uneasy days in the city, and by the time they headed back home, it was clear to him that their relationship had reached its end.
But life had better plans for him. He met Sarah, and this time, things just clicked. They decided to get married – where else? Rome. “We got engaged and decided to get married in Rome, which we did, and it was beautiful,” he shared.
It’s like Rome got a do-over in his life story. From watching one relationship crumble during a global crisis to saying “I do” in the same city – talk about a turnaround.
Now, the couple is proud parents to two kids, Linus and Audrey.
Sarah Has A Career in Fine Arts And Law
Sarah has carved out an impressive career at the intersection of art and law. Born in November 1969, she’s spent over three decades building a reputation as a go-to expert in fine art and emerging technologies.
She earned her BA in History from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before pursuing her JD from the University of Oregon School of Law.
As the founder of ArtConverge, she established offices in Los Angeles and New York, with plans for a Midwest expansion. Her work spans from advising art institutions and artists to tackling complex issues involving NFTs, blockchain, and AI in the art world.
Besides, she’s a lecturer in Law at USC’s Gould School of Law, teaching Art Law to future legal professionals.
Bill Wanted to Be a Scientist Before Becoming a Comedy Writer
His career path is anything but typical. He started out in science, earning a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Chicago. But somewhere along the way, he traded beakers for scripts.
Comedy writing had always intrigued him, even as a kid. It wasn’t until he faced his scientific aspirations head-on that he realized his personality might be better suited for a different path.
In 1995, he traded formulas for punchlines, moving to L.A. to write for Mr. Show with Bob and David. This leap opened doors to other comedy writing gigs, including Futurama, Tenacious D, and eventually, The Simpsons.
When The Simpsons opportunity came knocking, Bill didn’t hesitate. “Once they stopped talking, I said ‘yes,‘” he told Show Local. Now, many seasons later, he’s still crafting laughs for the iconic show, along with contributing to Disenchantment.
His scientific training hasn’t gone to waste; Bill believes his diverse background is an asset that enriches his writing.
