Mark Margolis, who portrayed Salamanca in ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’, dies

Actor Mark Margolis, who is known for his portrayal of drug lord Hector Salamanca in ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’, has died.

Confirming his death, his son, and Knitting Factory Entertainment CEO Morgan Margolis, said that the actor breathed his last at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City after a brief illness.

Mark Margolis: From Bolivian Henchmen to Drug lord

Margolis will always be remembered for his portrayal of Bolivian henchman Alberto the Shadow in Brian De Palma’s ‘Scarface’, released in 1948, and landlord Shickadance in ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’ in 1994. He also played marvelously HIV-infected mob boss Antonio Nappa on HBO’s ‘Oz’ from 1998 to 2003.

Mark Margolis: The Aging Teacher

Mark Margolis also played the aging mathematics teacher in ‘Pi’, directed by Darren Aronofsky and released in 1998. After acting in television, Margolis came back to movies and acted in ‘Requiem for a Dream (2000)’, ‘The Fountain' (2006), ‘The Wrestler’ (2008), ‘Black Swan’ (2010) and ‘Noah’ (2014).

Mark Margolis: Back to Salamanca

Mark Margolis got a second chance of playing Salamanca in the second season of ‘Breaking Bad’ prequel ‘Better Call Saul’, which started in 2016.

Mark Margolis: Horrific Portrayal

He once said that he came for only one episode in the second season, but his fans demanded more. When asked how he could portray such a horrific character, he said jokingly, “Ask my friend and they will tell you that I am a miserable person to start with.”

Born in a Jewish family in Philadelphia, Margolis never spoke Spanish but played Spanish-speaking characters. His father Isidore was a factory worker while his mother Fanya was a decorator.

Mark Margolis: Began at 14

Margolis took his first acting class at the age of 14, moved to New York, and studied drama with Adler at The Actors’ Studio. He called himself a ‘journeyman actor’. Once he said that six months after ‘Scarface’ he had to take a job in real estate development as he could not find an acting job.

FAQs:

For which role Mark Margolis will be remembered?
Actor Mark Margolis is known for his portrayal of drug lord Hector Salamanca in ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’. He will also be remembered for his portrayal of Bolivian henchman Alberto the Shadow in Brian De Palma’s ‘Scarface’, released in 1948.

When did Mark Margolis return to Salamanca?
Mark Margolis got a second chance of playing Salamanca in the second season of ‘Breaking Bad’ prequel ‘Better Call Saul’, which started in 2016.