Aug. 4 (UPI) — Mark Margolis, who brilliantly portrayed the character of Hector Salamanca in the critically acclaimed series “Breaking Bad” and its prequel “Better Call Saul,” has sadly left us at the age of 83. Eshelman revealed that Margolis passed away on Thursday after a brief illness.
Margolis took his final breath at Mount Sinai Hospital with his son, Morgan Margolis, CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment, and his wife, Jacqueline, by his side. Mark Margolis gained recognition for his compelling performance as Hector Salamanca, the leader of the Salamanca crime family in “Breaking Bad.” Despite being confined to a wheelchair and only able to communicate through a bell, his authority remained unquestioned by his associates.
In a memorable plotline, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) convinces Hector to plant a bomb in his wheelchair as an assassination attempt on his rival, Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). Although Hector and Gus meet their demise in the explosion, Margolis reprised his unforgettable role in the prequel series “Better Call Saul.”
Interestingly, Margolis had the opportunity to portray Hector prior to the character’s stroke that left him wheelchair-bound. It was in “Better Call Saul” that viewers witnessed Hector’s stroke and witnessed his transformation into the character familiar to “Breaking Bad” fans.
Mark Margolis is survived by his brother, sister, and three grandsons. The family intends to hold a private funeral, and instead of flowers, they kindly request donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
In addition to his iconic television roles, Margolis showcased his talent on stage after training at Temple University and The Actors Studio. His filmography includes notable films such as “Scarface,” “The Bedroom Window,” “Pi,” and “Requiem for a Dream.” He also made appearances in TV series such as “Prodigal Son,” “Snowpiercer,” “The Blacklist,” and “Your Honor,” alongside Bryan Cranston.