Bob Odenkirk Talks About Losing Out the Role of Michael Scott in THE OFFICE

Bob Odenkirk has had over a hundred acting jobs in his long career, with memorable roles in several movies and shows.

His biggest break came in the form of the character Saul Goodman, who transcended from Breaking Bad to his own prequel, Better Call Saul, which he excelled in. But this break came after having auditioned for the now iconic role of Michael Scott in The Office, which ended up going to Steve Carell, launching him to the next level of stardom.

Odenkirk did appear in a Season 9 episode of The Office, where he played the character Mark, a boss with a personality very similar to Michael Scott.

He talked about his small role and losing out on the big part in a recent appearance on the Office Ladies podcast with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, where he explained the reason he thinks he lost the role:

"I am, in a strange way, a very earnest person for a person in comedy. I am oddly earnest, and … it's one of the reasons I think Steve Carell is a better, you know — is the one who got the role. I think I bring with me a little bit too much earnest seriousness. And it's just kinda there. And there's nothing I can do about it except play other roles where it's helpful to have that."

For what it’s worth, Odenkirk played one hell of an awkward boss in the episode he appeared in, so I think he can bring the humor and cringe when he needs to. He’s a great actor.

But both his and Steve Carell’s careers have gone great, so things have worked out the way they were supposed to.

Most recently, Odenkirk appeared last year in his one season series Lucky Hank, and played an explosive character in the incredible star-studded season 2 episode of The Bear titled “Fishes.”

He is working on his action sequel Nobody 2, which is currently in pre-production, and is due to be released next year.