"Better Than Daniel Day-Lewis": Bob Odenkirk Says This TV Show Performance Is The Best Acting He's Ever Seen

Sep 10, 2026 - 01:19

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"Better Than Daniel Day-Lewis": Bob Odenkirk Says This TV Show Performance Is The Best Acting He's Ever Seen

Published Sep 9, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT

Mustafa Gatollari has been an internet culture and entertainment writer since 2015, but got his start reporting in local print in Bergen County, NJ at 18 years old. His work has appeared on the Daily Dot, Distractify, Motor1, BroBible, The Independent, The Mary Sue, Subplot, The Big Lead and his personal blog, Ultra News. Mustafa's passion for film and TV dates back to his first visit to the movies at 5 years old, when his mother took him to watch 'The Addams Family.'
Mustafa's also been in front of and behind the camera. He co-created and successfully distributed 'Haunted Discoveries' alongside Brandon Alvis, whom he initially met on A&E's 'Ghost Hunters' where the two were selected as lead investigators for the reboot of the popular unscripted series. He and Brandon are currently releasing a slate of new documentaries, beginning with 'Ghosts of the Gold Rush,' which combines decades of their film production and paranormal experience to convey an oft-overlooked period in America's history. And the hauntings purportedly connected to this time that have persisted nearly two centuries later. You can email him at [email protected] or find him online on X or Instagram.

In the world of entertainer fandom, there's often an invisible line drawn on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that separates serious and comedic actors. It's a distinction that invariably convinces some viewers to believe performers who regularly engage in dramatic work are inherently more talented performers than those who have more whimsical sensibilities.

Just don't count Bob Odenkirk as someone who subscribes to that line of thinking. During an appearance on Mike Birbiglia's Work It Out podcast, Episode 179: "The Art of Anger in Comedy", Odenkirk shared the comedic actor he believes showcased work that's even better than what he's seen from Daniel Day-Lewis.

With Birbiglia in full agreement, the man responsible for many of the best performances in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul referred back to a landmark sitcom from the turn of the millennium, which indirectly impacted his own career. According to Odenkirk, Ricky Gervais' performance in the original, UK version of The Office is the best acting he's ever seen.

Bob Odenkirk Says Ricky Gervais' Work In The Office Is Overlooked

The Saul Goodman actor believes Gervais' first lead role onscreen even trumps a three-time Academy Award winner, who is largely considered by many to be the best movie performer of all time. "I want to tell you what I think the best acting maybe ever is. Not Daniel Day-Lewis. He's great," Odenkirk said, whilst looking at the host and raising his eyebrows. "Ricky Gervais in the first Office."

Birbiglia concurred, telling his guest, "No argument, no argument... He's fantastic." Odenkirk continued, "It's crazy how real he feels, and... how much there's layers in what he's doing. How much, like, pain is inside this absolute clown of a human."

Birbiglia added, "Clearly tapped into something personal in himself," which elicits a laugh from both of the men. Afterwards, Odenkirk repeated the fact that Gervais' performance "really ranks" as an example of incredible acting prowess from the comic.

It's not difficult to see why he's such a proponent of David Brent's portrayal in arguably the best workplace sitcom of all time. There's a strong argument to be made that Gervais' lead role in The Office played a massive part in garnering so much fanfare for the show, so much so that it helped launch a phenomenally successful franchise in the United States, with a hugely devoted fanbase.

Bob Odenkirk Has Expanded Beyond Comedy As Well

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman leaning forward in his office in Better Call Saul

Bob Odenkirk is largely praised for his comedic work, winning an Emmy for his writing on Saturday Night Live, which includes bangers such as "Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker" which was brought to life by Chris Farley. Odenkirk was also a writer and performer on The Ben Stiller Show, and contributed to Late Night with Conan O'Brien in the '90s.

Longtime fans will remember the Mr. Show sketches he wrote and performed with David Cross, which have garnered a massive cult following. As well as his TV writing, he directed the award-winning movie Melvin Goes to Dinner, along with Let's Go to Prison and The Brothers Solomon.

Yet some audiences may not even recognize Odenkirk as a comedian. Instead, younger viewers likely see him as a multi-faceted dramatic actor. His turn as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and later, Better Call Saul is nothing short of remarkable. It says a lot about his talents that Vince Gilligan turned a recurring side character into the basis for an entirely new six-season series.

Odenkirk is also a bona fide action star: his John Wick-influenced Nobody movies are violently good fun, in which a Saul Goodman archetype swaps fast-talking one-liners for straight physical destruction of his opposition. The actor's ability to transition between genres in a way that translates to audiences is truly exceptional.

In the same way he's praised Gervais' acting acumen, others have been as effusively laudatory of his talent onscreen. During an interview on the podcast Working Overtime with David Cross, Jake Johnson discussed with Cross how impressed he is with Odenkirk's work. New Girl's Johnson said the following:

"When I was coming up, sometimes, you'd start watching a show or movie that wasn't good, and you'd say, 'Well, if that's on, I could for sure do it.' Working with guys like Bob early on, I learned that there's two sides to it. You're also playing against guys like this, and you gotta keep getting better in this game. Bob was one of those guys where I was like, 'Wow, he is so deeply talented that it's crazy, man. He's got it all in between his ears. He is so smart."

Such lavish praise from a peer is a reflection of Bob Odenkirk's high standing in the acting industry. By the same token, for such a highly respected actor to be so in awe of what Ricky Gervais does in The Office is a measure of just how special Gervais' performance really is.