Bob Odenkirk Say He Is 'Trying To Be More Present' As He Recalls 2021 Heart Attack Scare

Bob Odenkirk is opening up about his plans for the future.

The Emmy-nominated actor revealed that he is trying to make some space in his life and less work following his health scare in 2021.

At the time, the star of "Better Call Saul" suffered a severe heart attack and is still coming to grips with the experience.

He expressed thanks for the lessons he has since learned, especially the importance of making the right decisions with the time he has left.

Keep on reading to learn more.

In an interview with People Magazine, Odenkirk revealed that he plans to slow down on work rather than get in on more projects.

"Big life changes are happening," said the actor who recently co-authored a children's book and stars in AMC's "Lucky Hank."

"I'm trying to be more present and to make some space in my life because when you race from one thing to the next, you deprive yourself of the fun of the experience.

Odenkirk's decision comes in the wake of his close call with death in July 2021 while filming scenes for his hit series "Better Call Saul."

He experienced a severe heart attack of which he has no recollection, only waking up at the time to find himself in an Albuquerque hospital. He was given a five-week break to recover, and when he got back, filming was limited to 12 hours per day to make things less stressful.

Fast forward to 2023, the Emmy award-winning show is set to debut its series finale. Yet, despite the time that has elapsed, Odenkirk said he is yet to come to terms with almost losing his life.

"I'm still coming to terms with it," the actor told the publication. "Also, I'm still flabbergasted by how many people had such goodwill towards me and wanted me to be OK. I don't know quite what to chalk it up to, [but] I can only be appreciative of it and try to make something good come from it."

While the experience has brought several lifestyle changes, the actor is grateful that it has allowed him to appreciate more of life's niceties, including reading more books and bonding with his kids.

"My kids are very capable young people, but I'm still kind of up their asses," Odenkirk remarked joyfully. "I'm really happy right now."

In January, the Emmy Award winner also cited another upside to the heart attack, saying that he came back feeling "weirdly upbeat" and walked with a spring in his step.

"It was a gift, I suppose, but also strange for everyone around me, Odenkirk recalled before revealing how his eagerness to get back to work worried his colleagues, per People.

At the time, he also mentioned how the realization that death is inevitable drives him to make better decisions.

"I have to do a better job because we don't get to carry on forever. We just don't," the actor added. "I've got to make the right choices so I can feel like I'm doing the best I can with the time I have left for the things I love in this world."

The famous actor has a new children's book titled, Zilot & Other Important Rhymes on the way.

Speaking with People in February, the actor shared that the book's content was inspired by a unique bedtime ritual of writing poems with his kids, Erin and Nate.

"They're pretty silly, and a lot of them are kind of crazy. But I kept them because some of them weren't just gibberish. Some of them had ideas, and I thought, there's a great little book of poems in this," the "Breaking Bad" star said.

When his children inquired about the book during the COVID-19 pandemic, a thought struck him to publish it. Although it took some time to assemble everything, the book is finally finished and will hit the shelves during the fall.