Bob Odenkirk Parade Appearance Causes Surprise

Bob Odenkirk has surprised people watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade as he was spotted with a front-row seat to all the action—and yet, the NBC broadcast made no mention of the celebrity sighting.

The actor, comedian, and filmmaker is best known for his role as Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad and its spin-off series Better Call Saul. This year marked the 97th Thanksgiving Day parade, with viewers, including the actor, being treated to a variety of musical performances and festive fun.

For decades, the New York City extravaganza has had families across the United States glued to their TV screens. The Thanksgiving tradition features a parade of floats, bands, balloons and famous faces walking along the streets of Manhattan.

Now in screenshots circulating online, Odenkirk can be seen seated behind parade co-host Savannah Guthrie. Newsweek reached out to a representative of Odenkirk's for comment via email Friday.

People who watched the parade on television have found it hilarious that he was in the crowd in the first place, with many questioning why no one acknowledged it.

"Happy Thanksgiving to Bob Odenkirk only who is just out here to have a good time," one person wrote.

"Lmao Bob Odenkirk behind Savannah Guthrie at the Thanksgiving Day Parade and she doesn't even notice lmao," said another.

"Bob Odenkirk just randomly front row at the Macy's parade and them not acknowledging it is sending me why is he there is he just a big parade guy?" a third person posted.

A fourth added: "Shoutout to Bob Odenkirk sitting in the front row at the Macy's parade looking like the daddest dad to ever dad."

Others pointed out that there's a chance the NBC hosts knew he was there but he intentionally didn't want to be in the spotlight.

"Maybe he didn't want to [be acknowledged]. Celebs sometimes do not want to be recognized there so the glare of the spotlight can burn them," one person wrote.

Another posted: "She likely positioned herself in that spot because of him ;)."

"Saw that Bob Odenkirk was trending, panicked a little, then found out it's just because he was spotted at the parade," wrote a different user.

In 2021 Odenkirk suffered a near-fatal heart attack on the set of Better Call Saul and credited the show's cast and crew with saving his life.

One X user was pleased to see Odenkirk in the crowd years after the health scare. "Today I'm thankful for Bob Odenkirk just chilling/watching the thanksgiving day parade," they wrote.

Viewers were treated to a pop stars, Broadway entertainers, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns and eight performance groups. The parade started with a performance from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jon Batiste, while Cher closed out the parade with a new holiday song. Other performers included Brandy, David Foster, Katharine McPhee and Ashley Park, with the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street.

In other news, a group of protesters attempted to block the parade by gluing themselves to the road, spilling a red liquid and chanting "liberation for Palestine and planet."

This was in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. On October 7, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel it said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation. In response Israel launched an air and ground offensive against Gaza that has killed more than 12,700 Palestinians, the AP reported, citing the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Police made a number of arrests during the incident on Sixth Avenue, which took place as the parade made its way to Macy's department store from its start point on West 77th Street.