American actor Mark Margulies, who played evil drug lord Hector Salamanca in the series “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Soul”, has died at the age of 83, his family announced Friday.
The actor died in a New York hospital after a “short illness”, surrounded by his wife and son, according to a statement.
“Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston, who plays Walter White in the series, wrote on Instagram: “Mark Margolis was a great actor and a beautiful human being. He was funny and likable off set (…) and was awe-inspiring on set.”
His former co-star Bob Odenkirk, who played crooked attorney Saul Goodman in “Breaking Bad”, also praised Margolis’ “strong screen presence”.
The official “Breaking Bad” account on social media also paid tribute: “The tremendous talent of Mark Margolis, who, with his eyes, his timbre and very few words, made Hector Salamanca one of the most memorable characters in the history of television.”
Who is Margolis?
Born in Philadelphia in 1939, Margolis moved to New York to try his hand at acting. His career was marked by minor roles in blockbusters including “Scarface”, “Ace Ventura” and “Black Swan”, as well as on the HBO series “Oz”. Margolis leaves behind Jacqueline, his wife of 61 years, their only son Morgan, and their three grandchildren. Margolis is particularly known for his portrayal of Hector Salamanca, a paralyzed gang leader who communicates with others through a simple bell. Thanks to this role, he was nominated for an “Emmy” award, which is equivalent to its importance on television to the Oscars in cinema.
