A beloved character actor across TV and film has died. Mark Margolis, known for his roles in Scarface and AMC’s Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, passed away Thursday, according to a report by FOX29 Philadelphia. Margolis was 83 years old.
According to FOX29, the Philadelphia native pursued acting at a young age, later moving to New York where he joined a touring theater company. Margolis would appear in more than 50 off-Broadway productions before he transitioned to television and film.
Margolis starred in 70-plus movies, including a role as Jim Carrey’s (Kidding) landlord in the 90s comedy, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. He is most recognized for his performance in the mob thriller, Scarface, where he played Alberto “The Shadow” alongside Al Pacino (Heat, Hunters).
Margolis guest starred in several series including HBO’s Oz, FX’s American Horror Story: Asylum, Kings, and the original The Equalizer, according to Fox29. However, his name grew to prominence with his Emmy-nominated role in AMC’s crime drama series, Breaking Bad. Here, Margolis starred as the elder drug kingpin Hector “Tio” Salamanca, who famously delivered the explosive demise to Giancarlo Espostio’s (The Boys, Dear White People) villain, Gus. Margolis would reprise the same role in the spinoff, Better Call Saul, starring Bob Odenkirk (Nobody). One of Margolis’s last roles was in Showtime’s second season of Your Honor, which reunited him and Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle).
With the news of his passing, former costars and colleagues paid tribute to Margolis across social media. Esposito posted he was “deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and dynamic human Mark Margolis. You made me laugh, made me cry doubled over with laughter, but more than anything you made me think.”
The official Breaking Bad Twitter account also announced their condolences saying, “We join millions of fans in mourning the passing of the immensely talented Mark Margolis, who – with his eyes, a bell, and very few words – turned Hector Salamanca into one of the most unforgettable characters in the history of television. He will be missed.”
Cranston paid tribute to Margolis on Instagram with a post saying, “I am very saddened today to learn of a friend’s passing. Mark Margolis was a really good actor and a lovely human being. Fun and engaging off the set, and (in the case of Breaking Bad and Your Honor) intimidating and frightening on set. His quiet energy belied his mischievous nature and curious mind… And he loved sharing a good joke. I miss him already. Rest now, Mark and thank you for your friendship and your exceptional body of work.”
According to FOX29, Margolis is survived by his wife, his son Morgan, and three grandchildren.