Mark Margolis, 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul,' Actor Dead at 83
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Mark Margolis, the Emmy-nominated actor with notable performances in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has died. He was 83.
Margolis—who was known for his portrayal of menacing drug runner Hector Salamanca on both AMC series—died on Thursday, Aug. 3 after battling a short illness, his son Morgan Margolis confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter on Friday.
According to Morgan, actor and Knitting Factory Entertainment CEO, his father died while at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. An exact cause of death was not provided.
Margolis was a prolific actor who got his start on the soap opera Guiding Light back in the 50s. He went on to star in supporting roles, including Going in Style (1979) and Dressed to Kill (1980).
His breakout film role came in 1983, when he starred as Alberto the Shadow in Scarface, opposite Al Pacino's Tony Montana.
Additionally, Margolis was known for performances in films such as Pi (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000), The Fountain (2006), The Wrestler (2008), Black Swan (2010), Noah (2014).
Margolis made his first appearance on Breaking Bad back in March 2009. He was tasked with delivering few lines as his character is paralyzed and only able to communicate using facial expressions and a service bell attached to his wheelchair.
Don Hector Salamanca didn’t need to much scene or lines to stole the show every time 🐐 pic.twitter.com/kktCR43DkG
— better call saul spoilers (@odenhead) August 4, 2023
However, by 2012, he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He went on to appear in the show's prequel, Better Call Saul, in 2016, where he got to play Salamanca as a younger man before he became incapacitated.
Following the news of his death, tributes have been pouring in for Margolis, with fans vowing to remember his noteworthy character.
"Hector Salamanca will live with us forever. Rip Legend," one fan wrote on Twitter.
He was part of one of the best scenes in TV history. RIP Mark Margolis, AKA Hector Salamanca 🛎️ pic.twitter.com/WmT5udPU9I
— OD (@Owen_Rhys_) August 4, 2023
"RIP. Unforgettable role as Hector. He will be missed," wrote someone else.
"We lost a true legend today," another Twitter user added. "His role as Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul was nothing short of extraordinary and terrifying. rest in peace mark."
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