NEW YORK – Mark Margolis, the veteran character actor who had a breakout role as a gangster in “Scarface” and became best known for playing vengeful former drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in “Breaking Bad” and then in the prequel “Better Call Saul,” has died at the age of 83.
According to his son, Morgan Margolis, the actor died on Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City after a brief illness.
Margolis was nominated for an Emmy in 2012 for his role as Hector, the old don of his drug clan who could not speak or walk due to a stroke. Much of his character’s past was revealed in “Better Call Saul,” the prequel in which he appeared from 2016 to 2022. Margolis has stated that his portrayal of the drug lord was partly inspired by his experience caring for a relative who had a stroke.
Many people posted images of homicidal Hector “Tio” Salamanca — and his spectacular demise — who communicated solely through colorful facial expressions and a bell strapped to his wheelchair. Margolis was praised on the “Breaking Bad” official X (previously Twitter) account as an “immensely talented” actor “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.”
Margolis was also recognized for several film appearances, most notably in Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah,” “Black Swan,” “The Wrestler,” and “Pi.”
But his breakthrough performance was as mobster Alberto “The Shadow” in Brian de Palma’s 1983 picture “Scarface,” opposing Al Pacino’s Tony Montana, who memorably shoots and kills Alberto before he can detonate a vehicle bomb and kill an innocent woman and her children.
Other films in which he appeared include “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” and “Stand Up Guys.”
Margolis was born in Philadelphia 1939 and studied acting with renowned teacher Stella Adler in New York City. “I used to say, if God is a woman, this is him,” Margolis remarked of Adler in a 2022 interview.
Margolis was born in Philadelphia 1939 and studied acting with renowned teacher Stella Adler in New York City.
In his early career, he focused on the theatre, appearing in scores of works off-Broadway, including at New York’s Public Theatre, and on Broadway in the short-lived “Infidel Caesar,” based on Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” but set in Cuba. “The play was over in four weeks. It was lovely, yet it was ahead of its time.” Blue Dome, a touring theatre ensemble, was also formed by him.
Margolis was best recognized for his appearances on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” but he also appeared in “The Equaliser,” “Oz,” “American Horror Story: Asylum,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Californication,” and “The Affair.” He was most recently seen in five episodes of Showtime’s “Your Honour” as a Mafia boss.
His filmography includes 70 roles, the most recent being Matthew Coppola’s 2022 “Broken Soldier” with Sophie Turner and the late Ray Liotta.
Margolis is survived by his 61-year-old wife, Jacqueline Margolis, and his son Morgan, the CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment. The family intends to hold a private memorial and funeral service.
SOURCE – (AP)
