Mark Margolis , Hector Salamanca actor died at 83

American actor Mark Margolis, popular for playing drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul', has died at 83. The actor was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the critically acclaimed series 'Breaking Bad'. He guest-starred in the same role in the prequel,'Better Call Saul'.... Quoting the actor's son, Morgan Margolis, the AP reported that he died at Mount Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness

Margolis died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, his publicist said. His wife, Jacqueline, and son, Morgan, were at his bedside.

Margolis, who once described himself as a “journeyman actor”, had parts in more than 60 films across a five-decade career, including Scarface, Ace Ventura, and The Wrestler.

It was as Salamanca that Margolis arguably reached the widest audience.

Margolis’ other notable roles included as “The Shadow” in Brian De Palma’s film Scarface, as Ace Ventura’s landlord in Ace Venture: Pet Detective, and as Antonio Nappa in the HBO series Oz. He was also a frequent presence in Darren Aronofsky’s films with roles in Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, and The Wrestler, among other titles.

His character was paralysed from the neck down and only able to communicate with facial expression as well as a service bell attached to his wheelchair.

To play the silent role, Margolis revealed he took inspiration from his late mother-in-law, Shirley.

"She was in a nursing home for many years in Florida, tragically, after suffering a stroke," he recalled to The Hollywood Reporter back in 2012.

"We used to visit her, and she couldn’t speak. But she’d get excited when we came in the room, and the left side of her mouth would always do these contortions where the lips would push out, almost like she was chewing tobacco."

The late actor continued: "So I kind of stole that from her. I always say the role is an homage to Shirley, who was actually a 1930s Earl Carroll follies dancer.”

In a statement, his manager Robert Kolker said: " “He was a treasured client and a lifelong friend. I was lucky to know him.”

His co-stars on Breaking Bad paid tribute to him on social media, with Bob Odenkirk describing him as "a powerful screen presence" and Dean Norris calling him: "A phenomenal actor, a funny guy."

Read more

Sarah H

Also on site :

• ABC Explains 'General 'Hospital' Preemption, Sets New Airdate
• Will Trent's Erika Christensen On The Significance Of Angie Having A Girl, Her Engagement To Seth, And What Changes (And Doesn't) With Will
• US trade with Southeast Asia and Taiwan surging despite Trump tariffs