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.”
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Valley of Bones (2017)
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2013
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2013
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2013
Beneath (2013)
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2013
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2013
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2012
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2012
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2012
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2011
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2011
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The New Priest
2011
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9.5
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2009–2011
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Carl[a] (2011)
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2011
Dig (2011)
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6.4
Short
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2011
Kate Winslet in Mildred Pierce (2011)
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2010
The Fallen Faithful (2010)
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2010
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Nobody
5.2
Professor Hagel
2009
Kings (2009)
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2009
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The Model Maker (2008)
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2008
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2008
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8.5
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2008
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Lenny
2008
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2008
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2006
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2006
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2005
Headspace (2005)
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2005
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Nicholson, and Chris Noth in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001)
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Robin Williams, Erykah Badu, and Anton Yelchin in House of D
(2004)
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2004
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Turturro in 2BPerfectlyHonest (2004)
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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.
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2003
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2003
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10 episodes
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Hack
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Nikolai Zosimov
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Infested (2002)
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2002
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2002
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Williams in The Practice (1997)
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2002
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2002
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2001
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8.0
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2001
1 episode
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Christopher Meloni, Jeffrey Donovan, Mehcad Brooks, Kelli Giddish, and Danielle
Moné Truitt in Law & Order (1990)
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7.8
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2001
Chazz Palminteri in Boss of Bosses (2001)
Boss of Bosses
6.4
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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
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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
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Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99
8.4
Video
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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
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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.”
