Mark Margolis, known for his unique acting roles in “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” passed away this week. He was 83 years old.
Margolis died in New York City at Mount Sinai Hospital on Thursday after a battle with a brief illness, according to his son, Morgan Margolis, CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment.
Margolis is best known for his role as Hector Salamanca — nicknamed “Tio” — in “Breaking Bad” and the show’s prequel, “Better Call Saul.”
In the shows, Salamanca is the uncle of three notable characters, Marco, Leonel, and Tuco — all of whom are involved in drug trafficking. Salamanca was handicapped in “Breaking Bad” and communicated by ringing a bell on his wheelchair.
In “Better Call Saul,” Margolis had the opportunity to play a younger version of Salamanca before he became handicapped and unable to speak.
“I was only coming onto ‘Breaking Bad’ as far as I knew for that one episode, but there’s no accounting for taste, and the fans took a fancy to me,” he said. “Somebody asked me recently, ‘How did you manage to play such a horrible guy?’ and I said, ‘Have you talked to my friends?’ They’ll tell you I’m pretty miserable to begin with.”
The Hollywood Reporter noted that Margolis also played roles in “Scarface” (1983), “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994), “Pi” (1998), “Requiem for a Dream” (2000), “The Fountain” (2006), “The Wrestler” (2008), “Black Swan” (2010), and “Noah” (2014).
“Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” both released identical statements after Margolis’ passing.
“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,” the statement said. “He will be missed.”
He was really good in Breaking Bad.
Hec-TOR!
He made it almost a year exactly after the BCS finale.
RIP
Did he take anyone with him?
Oh, ni. Not Hector. He did a great job with that role.
I think the first time I saw him was in a supporting role in the Equalizer staring Edward Woodward who was also a fine actor.
He was also Sol Robeson, Max’s mathematician friend and mentor in the film Pi.
His work in “Scarface” was good. Cartel Assesino.
Wow, a guy who played vicious Mafia and cartel baddies was a Jewish kid from Philly.
RIP.
Great character actor R.I.P.
I liked him in the TV series, The Equalizer.
Best scene in Breaking Bad was ringing the bell over and over trying to trip the bomb in his wheelchair in the retirement center.....
RIP! He was great on Breaking Bad. I am surprised to learn he is not actually Hispanic!