Mark Margolis obit

Mark Margolis, Actor on ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ Dies at 83

He received an Emmy nom for portraying Hector Salamanca on those shows and appeared in 'Scarface,' 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,' 'Oz' and six Darren Aronofsky movies. 

He was not on the list.

Mark Margolis, the journeyman actor who turned in a commanding performance as the vindictive drug runner Hector Salamanca, a man of few words and a bell, on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has died. He was 83.

Margolis died Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, his son, actor and Knitting Factory Entertainment CEO Morgan Margolis, announced.

A protégé of Stella Adler who did double duty as the legendary acting teacher’s personal assistant, Margolis also stood out as the Bolivian henchman Alberto the Shadow in Brian De Palma’s Scarface (1983); as the gravelly voiced landlord Mr. Shickadance looking for the rent in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994); and, from 1998-2003, as the HIV-infected mob boss Antonio Nappa on HBO’s Oz.

The Philadelphia native played an aging math teacher for Darren Aronofsky in Pi (1998), then showed up in the filmmaker’s next five movies: as the guy who keeps selling Mrs. Goldfarb’s (Ellen Burstyn) TV back to her in Requiem for a Dream (2000); as a priest in The Fountain (2006); as Randy “The Ram” Robinson’s (Mickey Rourke) landlord in The Wrestler (2008); as a ballet patron in Black Swan (2010); and as a “fallen angel” in Noah (2014).

Asked by The Hollywood Reporter in a 2012 interview why Aronofsky kept hiring him, he replied with tongue in cheek: “He thinks he has an obligation! I started with him on his first movie, the $60,000 Pi, when he was unknown. I chased him for three months because he kept lying to me about when I’d get my money. I finally threatened to call his mother, who was craft services on the film. Then he finally paid me.”

Margolis, who didn’t speak Spanish, made his first appearance as “Tio” Salamanca on Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad in March 2009 on the second episode of the AMC drama’s second season. A onetime enforcer to Mexican crime boss Don Eladio (Steven Bauer), his character is paralyzed and only able to communicate using facial expressions and a brass service bell fastened to his wheelchair.

In the spectacular season-four finale, “Face Off,” which aired in October 2011, Salamanca gets his revenge on drug kingpin Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) as part of a suicide mission, and he received an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actor in a drama series in 2012. (Hector Salamanca even got his own tribute website.)

Starting in 2016 with the second season of the Breaking Bad prequel Better Called Saul, Margolis got a second chance to play Salamanca as a younger man, before he became incapacitated.

“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.” Margolis was born into a Jewish family in Philadelphia on Nov. 26, 1939. His mother, Fanya, was a decorator who worked for a wallpaper company and did lots of painting, and his father, Isidore, was a factory worker.

He took his first acting class at 14, and after a year at Temple University, he moved to New York and studied drama with Adler at The Actors Studio (he would become a lifetime member). “My first impression of her was, ‘If God is a woman, this is him,'” he told Eric Broadbent in an Inside the Gilliverse interview in 2020. “She was larger than life. Everything that I know [about acting] came from Stella.”

In exchange for classes, he served as Adler’s personal assistant for nearly three years, getting her cabs, carrying her groceries back to her apartment opposite the Metropolitan Museum of Art and checking coats for guests when she hosted a party.

“I had a real fixation with her,” he told The Observer in 2012. “I was 19 years old and she was 60. That’s what a turn-on she was.”

Margolis later studied with Alder’s rival, Lee Strasberg, for about a year but drifted away from acting and had trouble making ends meet. He managed a coffee house on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village — “I used to let Richie Havens sit there all night even though he didn’t have any money because I loved listening to his music,” he said in 2016 — built theatrical artwork installations and took geodesic domes to colleges all around the country.

He finally made his onscreen debut as a surly airplane passenger in the X-rated The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1976), then had small roles in Going in Style (1979), De Palma’s Dressed to Kill (1980) and Arthur (1981) before his nasty Alberto was killed by Al Pacino’s Tony Montana in Scarface.

“I am just a journeyman actor,” he once said. “Truth to tell, six months after Scarface, I had to take a job with a real estate development friend for a few months just to get by.”

Margolis landed a recurring role from 1985-89 as the surveillance expert Jimmy on the CBS crime drama The Equalizer, starring Edward Woodward.

His character in Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura was named after a real landlord that director Tom Shadyac once had. For Mr. Shickadance, “They wanted a voice like something out of The Exorcist,” he said. “I had never seen The Exorcist, but I figured it was that.”

To play the silent Salamanca, Margolis said he took his cues from his late mother-in-law, Shirley.

“She was in a nursing home for many years in Florida, tragically, after suffering a stroke,” he said. “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. 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.”

Margolis said Gilligan phoned him to say they were going to kill off Hector on Breaking Bad — but he “would have a lot of fun doing it.”

His body of work also included the films The Cotton Club (1984), The Secret of My Success (1987), 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), I Shot Andy Warhol (1996), Absolute Power (1997), The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), End of Days (1999), The Tailor of Panama (2001), Hardball (2001), Gone Baby Gone (2007), Defiance (2008) and Stand Up Guys (2012) and such TV shows as Santa Barbara, Law & Order, Californication, Person of Interest, American Horror Story, The Affair and Your Honor.

“Absolutely devastated to hear that we’ve lost Mark Margolis,” Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul writer-producer Peter Gould wrote Friday on Twitter. “Mark was brilliant, funny, a raconteur with a million stories. I miss him already.”

Added Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston on Instagram: “Mark Margolis was a really good actor and a lovely human being. Fun and engaging off the set, and (in the case of Breaking Bad and Your Honor) intimidating and frightening on set. His quiet energy belied his mischievous nature and curious mind … And he loved sharing a good joke. … Rest now, Mark and thank you for your friendship and your exceptional body of work.”

Actor

Bryan Cranston in Your Honor (2020)

Your Honor

7.6

TV Series

Carmine Conti

2023

5 episodes

 

Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul (2015)

Better Call Saul

9.0

TV Series

Hector Salamanca

2016–2022

22 episodes

 

Broken Soldier (2022)

Broken Soldier

3.5

Grandpa

2022

 

Michael Sheen and Tom Payne in Prodigal Son (2019)

Prodigal Son

7.7

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Rudolph Swann

2021

1 episode

 

Jennifer Connelly, Sean Bean, and Daveed Diggs in Snowpiercer (2020)

Snowpiercer

6.9

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Old Ivan

2020

1 episode

 

The Blacklist (2013)

The Blacklist

8.0

TV Series

Jakov Mitko

2020

1 episode

 

Minyan (2020)

Minyan

6.5

Itzik

2020

 

Noah Schnapp in Abe (2019)

Abe

6.3

Benjamin

2019

 

Jake Thomas, Chris Brochu, Michelle DeShon, Zoe Corraface, and Arienne Mandi in Baja (2018)

Baja

4.1

Don Primo

2018

 

Valley of Bones (2017)

Valley of Bones

4.2

El Papá

2017

 

One Fall (2016)

One Fall

5.1

Walter Grigg Sr.

2016

 

Daphne Zuniga, Chris Bruno, and Marie Avgeropoulos in A Remarkable Life (2016)

A Remarkable Life

4.7

Landon

2016

 

John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Nia Vardalos, and Elena Kampouris in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

6.0

Panos

2016

 

Maura Tierney and Dominic West in The Affair (2014)

The Affair

7.9

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Arthur Solloway

2015

3 episodes

 

You Bury Your Own (2015)

You Bury Your Own

5.6

Smith

2015

 

Gotham (2014)

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7.8

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Paul Cicero

2015

2 episodes

 

Steve Schirripa, Andrew Schulz, and Chris DiStefano in Benders (2015)

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6.4

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Paul's Grandfather

2015

1 episode

 

The Abandoned (2015)

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4.8

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2015

 

Amanda Schull and Aaron Stanford in 12 Monkeys (2015)

12 Monkeys

7.7

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Mr. Werner

2015

1 episode

 

Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in Elementary (2012)

Elementary

7.9

TV Series

Abraham Misraki

2015

1 episode

 

Nasty Baby (2015)

Nasty Baby

5.7

Richard

2015

 

Matt Ryan in Constantine (2014)

Constantine

7.5

TV Series

Felix Faust

2015

1 episode

 

I Remember You (2014)

I Remember You

Short

Father

2014

 

Mark Margolis and David Hartstone in Scratch (2014)

Scratch

Short

The Proprietor

2014

 

Chyler Leigh and Jacky Ido in Taxi Brooklyn (2014)

Taxi Brooklyn

6.2

TV Series

AJ

2014

1 episode

 

Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ray Winstone in Noah (2014)

Noah

5.8

Magog

2014

 

Invincible

Short

Father - Sean

2013

 

An Anomaly

Short

2013

 

Flipsters

TV Series

Elf

2013

1 episode

 

Anthony Edwards in Zero Hour (2013)

Zero Hour

6.3

TV Series

Erik Haas

2013

1 episode

 

B.I.I.D.

9.8

Short

Harrison

2013

 

Beneath (2013)

Beneath

3.5

Mr. Parks

2013

 

Northern Borders (2013)

Northern Borders

6.4

Whiskeyjack

2013

 

American Horror Story (2011)

American Horror Story

8.0

TV Series

Sam Goodman

2012

3 episodes

 

Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, and Christopher Walken in Stand Up Guys (2012)

Stand Up Guys

6.4

Claphands

2012

 

Never a Shade of Gray (2012)

Never a Shade of Gray

8.6

Short

Mr. Coutier

2012

 

Sarah Shahi in Fairly Legal (2011)

Fairly Legal

7.3

TV Series

Ian Saunders

2012

2 episodes

 

Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson in Person of Interest (2011)

Person of Interest

8.5

TV Series

Gianni Moretti

2011–2012

3 episodes

 

Mickey Rourke, Lili Taylor, Miguel Ferrer, Til Schweiger, Josie Ho, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in The Courier (2012)

The Courier

4.5

Stitch

2012

 

Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

8.1

TV Series

Rom-Baro

2011

1 episode

 

Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife (2009)

The Good Wife

8.4

TV Series

Father Jim

2011

1 episode

 

Immortals (2011)

Immortals

6.0

The New Priest

2011

 

Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad (2008)

Breaking Bad

9.5

TV Series

Tio Salamanca

2009–2011

8 episodes

 

Carl[a] (2011)

Carl[a]

6.7

Grandpa

2011

 

Dig (2011)

Dig

6.4

Short

Heinrich Berger

2011

 

Kate Winslet in Mildred Pierce (2011)

Mildred Pierce

7.6

TV Mini Series

Mr. Chris

2011

2 episodes

 

Tom Selleck, Bridget Moynahan, Donnie Wahlberg, and Will Estes in Blue Bloods (2010)

Blue Bloods

7.7

TV Series

Whitey Brennan

2011

1 episode

 

Natalie Portman in Black Swan (2010)

Black Swan

8.0

Mr. Fithian

Patron

2010

 

The Fallen Faithful (2010)

The Fallen Faithful

4.6

Asa

2010

 

Sam Rosen and Lindsey Broad in Nobody (2009)

Nobody

5.2

Professor Hagel

2009

 

Kings (2009)

Kings

8.1

TV Series

Premier Shaw

2009

2 episodes

 

Ben Again (2009)

Ben Again

9.0

TV Movie

Ben

2009

 

The Model Maker (2008)

The Model Maker

Short

The Model Maker

2008

 

Daniel Craig in Defiance (2008)

Defiance

7.1

Jewish Elder

2008

 

Draw (2008)

Draw

8.5

Short

Luigi

2008

 

Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler (2008)

The Wrestler

7.9

Lenny

2008

 

Haber (2008)

Haber

6.7

Short

Bremer

2008

 

American Dream

8.8

Short

Grandpa

2008

 

David Duchovny in Californication (2007)

Californication

8.3

TV Series

Al Moody

2007

1 episode

 

Casey Affleck in Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Gone Baby Gone

7.6

Leon Trett

2007

 

The Girl Next Door (2007)

The Girl Next Door

6.5

Homeless Man Hit By Car

2007

 

The Black Donnellys (2007)

The Black Donnellys

8.1

TV Series

Sal Minetta

2007

2 episodes

 

Waterfront (2006)

Waterfront

7.1

TV Series

Sal Trovotelli

Sal Trovoteli

2006

4 episodes

 

Still Life

Morty

2006

 

Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman in The Fountain (2006)

The Fountain

7.2

Father Avila

2006

 

Brotherhood (2006)

Brotherhood

7.7

TV Series

Jacob Weiss

2006

1 episode

 

Umney's Last Case

6.9

Short

Vernon Klein

2006

 

Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling, and Naomi Watts in Stay (2005)

Stay

6.7

Business Man

2005

 

Headspace (2005)

Headspace

4.6

Boris Pavlovsky

2005

 

Jill Hennessy in Crossing Jordan (2001)

Crossing Jordan

7.0

TV Series

Cahill

2005

1 episode

 

Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Eric Bogosian, Julianne Nicholson, and Chris Noth in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001)

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

7.5

TV Series

Mario Damiano

2004

1 episode

 

Robin Williams, Erykah Badu, and Anton Yelchin in House of D (2004)

House of D

6.8

Mr. Pappass

2004

 

John Turturro, Robert Vaughn, Michael Badalucco, and Aida Turturro in 2BPerfectlyHonest (2004)

2BPerfectlyHonest

4.5

Abrams

2004

 

Kim Cattrall, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon in Sex and the City (1998)

Sex and the City

7.3

TV Series

Jean Paul Sandal

2004

1 episode

 

Pictured - (top/back) Josh Randall, JanaMarie Hupp; (bottom, clockwise from center top) Tom Cavanagh, Michael Ian Black, Rachel Cronin, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Justin Long, Lesley Boone, Julie Bowen.

Ed

7.6

TV Series

Sal Mazula

Mazula

2003–2004

2 episodes

 

Manhunt (2003)

Manhunt

8.2

Video Game

Tramp

2003

 

Gale Harold and Jennifer Elster in Particles of Truth (2003)

Particles of Truth

6.5

Grandpa Black

2003

 

Ben Affleck, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jennifer Garner, and Colin Farrell in Daredevil (2003)

Daredevil

5.3

Fallon

2003

 

Oz (1997)

Oz

8.7

TV Series

Antonio Nappa

1998–2003

10 episodes

 

David Morse in Hack (2002)

Hack

7.3

TV Series

Nicolai Zosimov

Nikolai Zosimov

2002

4 episodes

 

Amy Jo Johnson, Nahanni Johnstone, and Mark Margolis in Infested (2002)

Infested

2.9

Father Morning

2002

 

Valerie Geffner in Angela (2002)

Angela

5.7

Short

Sidney

2002

 

Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, Steve Harris, and Kelli Williams in The Practice (1997)

The Practice

7.7

TV Series

Richard D'Ambrosio

2002

1 episode

 

Bridget (2002)

Bridget

5.8

Slim

2002

 

The Hit Man and the Investigator

5.9

Short

Prisoner

2001

 

Alan Arkin, Paula Devicq, Manny Perez, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Joseph Lyle Taylor in 100 Centre Street (2001)

100 Centre Street

8.0

TV Series

Merle Kiefer

2001

1 episode

 

Ice-T, Sam Waterston, Mariska Hargitay, Camryn Manheim, Christopher Meloni, Jeffrey Donovan, Mehcad Brooks, Kelli Giddish, and Danielle Moné Truitt in Law & Order (1990)

Law & Order

7.8

TV Series

Frankie 'Threads' Polito

Bronson

George Lobrano

1992–2001

3 episodes

 

Keanu Reeves, A. Delon Ellis Jr., Julian Griffith, Bryan Hearne, Michael B. Jordan, Kris D. Lofton, Michael Perkins, Brian M. Reed, and DeWayne Warren in Hardball (2001)

Hardball

6.4

Fink

2001

 

Chazz Palminteri in Boss of Bosses (2001)

Boss of Bosses

6.4

TV Movie

Piney Armone

2001

 

Queenie in Love (2001)

Queenie in Love

6.7

Spencer

2001

 

Promotional Poster

The Tailor of Panama

6.1

Rafi Domingo

2001

 

Anthony Hopkins in Hannibal (2001)

Hannibal

6.8

Perfume Expert

2001

 

Kitchen

TV Movie

Farid

2001

 

Prince Street

6.5

TV Series

1997–2000

6 episodes

 

Dinner Rush (2000)

Dinner Rush

7.3

Fitzgerald

2000

 

Fast Food Fast Women (2000)

Fast Food Fast Women

6.4

Graham

2000

 

Jennifer Connelly in Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Requiem for a Dream

8.3

Mr. Rabinowitz

2000

 

18 Shades of Dust (1999)

18 Shades of Dust

4.4

1999

 

Robert De Niro and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Flawless (1999)

Flawless

6.4

Vinnie

1999

 

Eric Close, Margaret Colin, and Dennis Haysbert in Now and Again (1999)

Now and Again

8.1

TV Series

Nicky Vodorgov

1999

1 episode

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in End of Days (1999)

End of Days

5.8

Pope

1999

 

Madonna in Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99 (1999)

Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99

8.4

Video

Bartender (segment "Bad Girl")

1999

 

Robin Williams in Jakob the Liar (1999)

Jakob the Liar

6.5

Fajngold

1999

 

Promo Poster

Mickey Blue Eyes

5.9

Gene Morgansen

1999

 

Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

The Thomas Crown Affair

6.8

Heinrich Knutzhorn

1999

 

Above Freezing

6.3

Mob Boss

1998

 

Valeria Golino, Rosario Dawson, and Leon in Side Streets (1998)

Side Streets

5.6

Bartender

1998

 

Pants on Fire (1998)

Pants on Fire

7.1

Malcolm Preston

1998

 

Pi (1998)

Pi

7.3

Sol Robeson

1998

 

Debi Mazar and Tony Goldwyn in Trouble on the Corner (1997)

Trouble on the Corner

5.0

Mr. Borofsky

1997

 

Clint Eastwood and Melora Hardin in Absolute Power (1997)

Absolute Power

6.7

Red Brandsford

1997

 

The Pallbearer (1996)

The Pallbearer

5.0

Philip DeMarco

1996

 

I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)

I Shot Andy Warhol

6.6

Louis Solanas

1996

 

Madeline Kahn, Mary Tyler Moore, Gregory Harrison, Melina Kanakaredes, Kelli Williams, and Joe Morton in New York News (1995)

New York News

5.7

TV Series

1995

1 episode

 

Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994)

Squanto: A Warrior's Tale

6.0

Capt. Hunt

1994

 

Malik Yoba in New York Undercover (1994)

New York Undercover

7.8

TV Series

Clark Redmond

1994

1 episode

 

Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

6.9

Shickadance

1994

 

Michael J. Fox, Rip Torn, Treat Williams, Tantoo Cardinal, and Bill Raymond in Where the Rivers Flow North (1993)

Where the Rivers Flow North

6.6

New York Money

1993

 

Madonna in Madonna: Bad Girl (1993)

Madonna: Bad Girl

7.8

Music Video

Bartender

1993

 

Gérard Depardieu in 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)

1492: Conquest of Paradise

6.4

Bobadilla

1992

 

Greg Evigan and Connie Sellecca in P.S.I. Luv U (1991)

P.S.I. Luv U

7.4

TV Series

Cappy

1991

1 episode

 

Robin Wright, Judith Anderson, Valorie Armstrong, Melissa Reeves, Robert Alan Browne, Paul Burke, Ismael 'East' Carlo, Margarita Cordova, Nicolas Coster, Lane Davies, Richard Eden, Gina Gallego, Linda Gibboney, Andrea Howard, Ava Lazar, A Martinez, Todd McKee, John Allen Nelson, Rupert Ravens, Julie Ronnie, Kerry Sherman, Louise Sorel, Jonna Leigh Stack, Marcy Walker, and Dane Witherspoon in Santa Barbara (1984)

Santa Barbara

5.7

TV Series

Helmut Dieter

1991

13 episodes

 

The Antagonists (1991)

The Antagonists

5.9

TV Series

Emil Kutcher

1991

1 episode

 

Lance Henriksen in The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

The Pit and the Pendulum

6.0

Mendoza

1991

 

Descending Angel (1990)

Descending Angel

5.9

TV Movie

Bercovici

1990

 

Chuck Norris in Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990)

Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection

4.9

Gen. Olmedo

1990

 

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

6.2

Gage (segment "Cat From Hell")

1990

 

William Conrad and Joe Penny in Jake and the Fatman (1987)

Jake and the Fatman

6.4

TV Series

Miracola

1990

1 episode

 

Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

8.7

TV Series

Dr. Nel Apgar

1990

1 episode

 

Mancuso, FBI (1989)

Mancuso, FBI

7.3

TV Series

1990

1 episode

 

Columbo Cries Wolf (1990)

Columbo Cries Wolf

7.8

TV Movie

Cosner

1990

 

Matthew Broderick in Glory (1989)

Glory

7.8

10th Connecticut Soldier

1989

 

Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell in Quantum Leap (1989)

Quantum Leap

8.2

TV Series

Adriano

1989

1 episode

 

Edward Woodward in The Equalizer (1985)

The Equalizer

7.8

TV Series

Jimmy

1985–1989

16 episodes

 

Lady Mobster (1988)

Lady Mobster

4.8

TV Movie

Peter Colicos

1988

 

White Hot (1988)

White Hot

4.4

The Tin Man

1988

 

Memories of Manon (1987)

Memories of Manon

7.9

TV Movie

Jimmy

1987

 

Crime Story (1986)

Crime Story

8.3

TV Series

Jack Stark

1987

1 episode

 

The Rosary Murders (1987)

The Rosary Murders

5.8

Father Max

1987

 

Almost Partners (1987)

Almost Partners

6.7

TV Movie

Kristopholous

1987

 

Michael J. Fox and Helen Slater in The Secret of My Success (1987)

The Secret of My Success

6.5

Maintenence Man

1987

 

Steve Guttenberg, Isabelle Huppert, and Elizabeth McGovern in The Bedroom Window (1987)

The Bedroom Window

6.4

Man in Phone Booth

1987

 

Brian Benben, Patricia Kalember, Priscilla Lopez, Jan Rubes, Lane Smith, and Keone Young in Kay O'Brien (1986)

Kay O'Brien

7.4

TV Series

Frank Agretti

1986

1 episode

 

Doubletake (1985)

Doubletake

6.5

TV Mini Series

Janitor

1985

 

ABC Afterschool Specials (1972)

ABC Afterschool Specials

7.1

TV Series

Cab Driver

1985

1 episode

 

Richard Gere in The Cotton Club (1984)

The Cotton Club

6.5

Charlie Workman

1984

 

Far from Poland (1984)

Far from Poland

6.3

Adam Zarewski

1984

 

Al Pacino in Scarface (1983)

Scarface

8.3

Shadow

1983

 

Kirk Douglas, Leah Ayres, Matthew Meece, and John Schneider in Eddie Macon's Run (1983)

Eddie Macon's Run

5.6

5:00 Bar Owner

1983

 

Rage of Angels (1983)

Rage of Angels

6.0

TV Movie

Ricky

1983

 

The Avenging (1982)

The Avenging

4.2

Pedro Quintana

1982

 

Muggable Mary, Street Cop (1982)

Muggable Mary, Street Cop

6.6

TV Movie

Sgt. Meyers

1982

 

Arthur (1981)

Arthur

6.9

Wedding Guest

1981

 

A Jury of Her Peers (1980)

A Jury of Her Peers

7.2

Short

Mr. Hale

1980

 

Christmas Evil (1980)

Christmas Evil

5.5

Man #2

1980

 

Dressed to Kill (1980)

Dressed to Kill

7.1

Patient at Bellvue Hospital

1980

 

George Burns, Art Carney, and Lee Strasberg in Going in Style (1979)

Going in Style

7.1

Prison Guard

1979

 

Short Eyes (1977)

Short Eyes

7.0

Mr. Morrison

1977

 

Kojak (1973)

Kojak

7.1

TV Series

First Gunman

1977

1 episode

 

The Other Side of Victory

TV Movie

1976

 

The Opening of Misty Beethoven

6.8

Unhappy Guy on Plane

1976

 

Guiding Light (1952)

Guiding Light

6.5

TV Series

Harry Jones (1994)

1952

In addition to his son and his wife, Heide, Margolis’ survivors include his wife, Jacqueline, whom he married in June 1962; grandsons Ben, Aidan and Henry; and his brother and his wife, Jerome and Ann. He lived for years in Tribeca.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundatio

In his interview with The Observer, Margolis said that the fans he met on the street “think that I’m some sort of rich guy, that everyone in the movies is making the kind of money Angelina Jolie is making,” he explained. “They don’t realize that most of my life has been a struggle.”