Saul Goodman, the iconic and morally flexible lawyer from “Breaking Bad” and its prequel series “Better Call Saul,” is a character whose age sparks curiosity among fans. Pinpointing his exact age isn’t as simple as looking up a birthdate, as the timeline spans multiple years and involves some clever storytelling. This article will dissect the timeline, analyze clues from both shows, and ultimately provide the most accurate estimate of Saul Goodman’s age throughout his compelling narrative.
Understanding the Timeline: From Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman
To understand Saul’s age, we first need to establish the chronological order of the events in “Better Call Saul” and “Breaking Bad.” “Better Call Saul” serves as a prequel, chronicling the transformation of Jimmy McGill, a small-time con artist with a heart (sometimes), into the flamboyant and ethically challenged lawyer we know as Saul Goodman. “Breaking Bad” then picks up the story, depicting Saul’s involvement in Walter White’s meth empire.
The “Better Call Saul” timeline begins in 2002, several years before Walter White even begins cooking meth. The series follows Jimmy’s struggles to establish himself as a legitimate lawyer, his complicated relationship with his brother Chuck, and his slow descent into the world of scams and morally questionable legal tactics.
“Breaking Bad” starts in 2008, depicting Walter White’s cancer diagnosis and his decision to cook meth to secure his family’s financial future. Saul Goodman enters the scene as Walter and Jesse Pinkman’s lawyer, providing them with legal (and often illegal) advice and services.
Finally, after the events of “Breaking Bad,” Saul flees Albuquerque and assumes a new identity as Gene Takavic, a Cinnabon manager in Omaha, Nebraska. This post-“Breaking Bad” period, showcased in flash-forward sequences in “Better Call Saul,” takes place in 2010.
Unveiling Saul’s Age: Clues from the Shows
While neither “Breaking Bad” nor “Better Call Saul” explicitly states Saul Goodman’s birthdate, we can piece together clues from character dialogue, historical context, and actor Bob Odenkirk’s age to estimate his age.
Age References and Contextual Clues
In “Better Call Saul,” Jimmy McGill’s age is subtly implied through various references to his past. His rivalry with his older brother, Chuck, suggests a significant age difference. Chuck’s established legal career and respected reputation further indicate that he is considerably older than Jimmy.
Furthermore, Jimmy’s flashbacks to his “Slippin’ Jimmy” days in Cicero, Illinois, provide hints about his age during that period. These flashbacks suggest that Jimmy was a young adult or teenager in the late 1980s or early 1990s.
In “Breaking Bad,” Saul Goodman often makes self-deprecating jokes about his age and appearance. While these jokes are primarily for comedic effect, they hint that Saul is not a young man. His experience and connections in the criminal underworld also suggest that he has been around for quite some time.
Bob Odenkirk’s Age and its Relevance
Bob Odenkirk, the actor who portrays Saul Goodman, was born in 1962. While an actor’s age doesn’t always directly correlate to their character’s age, it can provide a reasonable starting point for estimation. When “Breaking Bad” premiered in 2008, Odenkirk was 46 years old. Given Saul’s established career and life experiences, it’s safe to assume that the character was likely in his late 40s or early 50s during the events of “Breaking Bad.”
Estimating Saul’s Age Across the Series
Based on the timeline and the clues mentioned above, we can estimate Saul Goodman’s age throughout “Better Call Saul” and “Breaking Bad.”
Saul’s Age in “Better Call Saul”
“Better Call Saul” begins in 2002. If we assume that Saul was in his late 40s or early 50s during “Breaking Bad” (2008), then he would have been in his early to mid-40s during the initial seasons of “Better Call Saul.”
Considering Jimmy’s backstory and his “Slippin’ Jimmy” days, it’s plausible that he was born sometime in the late 1950s or early 1960s. This would make him around 42-43 years old at the start of “Better Call Saul” in 2002.
Saul’s Age in “Breaking Bad”
As mentioned earlier, “Breaking Bad” begins in 2008. If Saul was born in the late 1950s or early 1960s, he would have been in his late 40s or early 50s during the events of “Breaking Bad.” This aligns with the character’s portrayal and Bob Odenkirk’s age at the time.
Saul’s Age as Gene Takavic
The flash-forward sequences in “Better Call Saul” depicting Gene Takavic take place in 2010. Assuming Saul was born in the late 1950s or early 1960s, he would have been in his early 50s as Gene Takavic. The stress and paranoia of living under a false identity likely aged him further.
Conclusion: A Likely Age Range for Saul Goodman
While we can’t pinpoint Saul Goodman’s exact birthdate, we can confidently estimate his age range throughout the series. Based on the available evidence, it’s highly likely that Saul Goodman was born sometime between 1957 and 1962. This would make him:
- Early to mid-40s during the initial seasons of “Better Call Saul” (2002-2005).
- Late 40s to early 50s during the events of “Breaking Bad” (2008-2010).
- Early 50s as Gene Takavic (2010).
Ultimately, Saul Goodman’s age is less important than his character development and the impact he has on the stories of “Better Call Saul” and “Breaking Bad.” He remains one of television’s most compelling and memorable characters, regardless of his precise age. His journey from Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman to Gene Takavic is a testament to the power of storytelling and the complexities of human nature. His wit, cunning, and moral ambiguity continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
This exploration offers a good approximation of the age of the character, grounding it in the narrative timeline and contextual details provided by the shows themselves. The lack of explicit statements regarding his age leaves room for interpretation, but the evidence strongly suggests that he was in his 40s and 50s during the events we see on screen.
How old is Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad?
Saul Goodman’s age in Breaking Bad is intentionally vague, but we can estimate it based on actor Bob Odenkirk’s age and clues from the show. Odenkirk was born in 1962, and Breaking Bad’s timeline runs from 2008 to 2013. Considering Saul’s established career and demeanor, it’s reasonable to place him in his late 40s to early 50s during the events of Breaking Bad.
This places Saul’s birth year sometime between the late 1950s and early 1960s. While never explicitly stated, this age range aligns with his character’s experience and the details provided about his past, such as his law school education and prior schemes. He isn’t presented as a young, up-and-coming lawyer, but rather as a seasoned, if ethically questionable, professional.
How old is Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul?
Better Call Saul provides a more definitive timeline for Jimmy McGill, showing his progression into Saul Goodman. The series begins in 2002 and spans several years leading up to the events of Breaking Bad. Given the aforementioned estimated birth year in the late 1950s to early 1960s, Jimmy is in his early to mid-40s when Better Call Saul begins.
The show meticulously details Jimmy’s journey, showcasing his struggles to establish himself as a legitimate lawyer and the gradual descent into his Saul Goodman persona. This age range allows viewers to witness a significant period in Jimmy’s life, illustrating the factors contributing to his transformation and the gradual erosion of his moral compass.
Is Saul Goodman older or younger than Walter White?
Based on established timelines and character backgrounds, Saul Goodman is likely younger than Walter White. Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, is portrayed as being in his early 50s at the start of Breaking Bad in 2008. Given Saul Goodman’s estimated age range of late 40s to early 50s during the same period, Walter White would be slightly older.
Walter’s age is further emphasized by his mid-life crisis and feeling of unfulfilled potential, themes less prominent in Saul’s character arc, who is already deeply involved in morally ambiguous activities. Walter is also established as a high school chemistry teacher with a long career, further suggesting he’s at a later stage in life compared to Saul.
Does Saul Goodman’s age affect his character development?
Yes, Saul Goodman’s age and the experiences he’s accumulated by that point significantly impact his character development. He’s not a naive, young lawyer, but someone who has seen the system and chosen to exploit it. His age reflects a certain level of cynicism and a willingness to cut corners, learned through years of navigating the legal landscape, albeit unethically.
This pre-existing history and the accumulation of past actions shape his decisions and reactions throughout both Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad. His age provides a foundation for his understanding of human nature and the vulnerabilities he exploits in his clients and opponents, which is a crucial part of his persona.
How does Saul Goodman’s age compare to Kim Wexler’s?
Kim Wexler, played by Rhea Seehorn, is likely younger than Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman. While her exact age is never explicitly stated, subtle clues in Better Call Saul suggest a slightly younger age. Kim is presented as a driven and ambitious lawyer working her way up, whereas Jimmy has a more established (though checkered) past.
The dynamic between them often involves Kim acting as a moral compass, particularly early in the series, which is a role that often implies a relative youthfulness and idealism. While both are flawed and make questionable choices, Kim’s initial desire to uphold the law more closely than Jimmy suggests she is less jaded by life’s experiences, potentially influenced by a younger age.
Is Saul Goodman’s age relevant to his ability to run scams?
Saul Goodman’s age and the experiences that come with it are undeniably relevant to his ability to run scams successfully. Years of navigating the legal system, building connections (however shady), and understanding human psychology are critical assets in his cons. A younger, less experienced lawyer would lack the network and knowledge needed to pull off his schemes.
His age lends him a certain credibility, particularly when interacting with vulnerable individuals who are often his targets. People are more likely to trust someone who appears experienced and confident, even if that confidence is built on a foundation of deceit. The accumulated knowledge and persuasive skills developed over time are essential components of his con artistry.
Does Bob Odenkirk’s age influence his portrayal of Saul Goodman?
Absolutely, Bob Odenkirk’s age and acting experience greatly influence his portrayal of Saul Goodman. Odenkirk’s comedic timing and understanding of character nuances, honed over decades in comedy and acting, bring a depth and complexity to Saul that a younger actor might struggle to achieve. He embodies both the humor and the underlying sadness of the character.
Odenkirk’s age also lends authenticity to Saul’s transformation. His ability to portray a character grappling with past mistakes and facing a moral crossroads is enhanced by his own life experience. He brings a level of maturity and gravitas to the role, allowing viewers to connect with Saul’s vulnerabilities and the internal conflicts driving his decisions, even as he engages in questionable behavior.