'Breaking Bad' star Mark Margolis (83) dies after short illness
What's the story
Actor Mark Margolis—renowned for his iconic portrayal of the menacing Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad—passed away in New York on Thursday (local time). He was 83. He breathed his last in Mount Sinai Hospital following a brief illness, as confirmed by his son, Morgan Margolis. A legend with reportedly over 150 credits to his name, Margolis made an unforgettable contribution to the industry.
Condolences
Art community, fans paid condolences on social media
Undoubtedly, Margolis's remarkable talent and onscreen presence will be missed by fans and fellow colleagues alike. His Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul co-star Max Arciniega expressed his sentiments on X, saying, "It was an honor to have shared the screen with this powerhouse, and an honor to listen to the stories he shared about his family and his career. Rest easy, Don Hector."
Twitter Post
How 'Breaking Bad's official account paid homage to Margolis
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. pic.twitter.com/gVt8IzxgPw
— Breaking Bad (@BreakingBad) August 4, 2023
Life and career
Early life, humble beginnings
Born in 1939 in Philadelphia, Margolis was drawn to the entertainment world from a young age, and to pursue his passion for acting, he later relocated to New York. His dedication bore fruit as he landed roles in theater productions—including the Broadway play Infidel Caesar. He soon became a prolific figure in Off-Broadway—with over 50 plays—some notable examples being Uncle Sam and The Golem.
Film career
Margolis's breakout role came with iconic film 'Scarface'
After amassing an impressive portfolio in theater, the actor's breakout role came with the iconic 1983 film Scarface—in which he portrayed the formidable character of Alberto—popularly known as "The Shadow." The actor also became a frequent collaborator of acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and appeared in his films like Black Swan, and Pi. In total, the actor appeared in over 70 films across five decades.
TV career
Iconic TV roles that made Margolis household name
In his illustrious career, the role that made him instantly recognizable to millions of viewers remains his portrayal of Salamanca in Vince Gilligan's critically acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad—which aired for five seasons starting in 2008. Salamanca became so iconic that Margolis reprised the role in six seasons of the prequel/spin-off series Better Call Saul, which started airing in 2015.
Recognition
Despite no dialogues, he earned Emmy nomination for Salamanca
In Breaking Bad, Margolis's performance as Salamanca earned him an Emmy nomination in 2012. In the same year, in an interview, he talked about his role and stated, "Everybody says, 'My God it must be difficult to work without words... My joke is, 'No. I'm already grounded in the fact that I've been acting without hair for years... So, now I'm acting without words.'"