Mark Margolis


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Mark Margolis (, mar-GOH-liss; November 26, 1939 – August 3, 2023) was an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the character Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad (2009–2011) and Better Call Saul (2016–2022). His performance in Breaking Bad was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2012.

Mark Margolis

Margolis at the premiere of Noah in 2014

BornNovember 26, 1939

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

DiedAugust 3, 2023 (aged 83)

New York City, New York, U.S.

Alma mater
OccupationActor
Years active1960s–2023
Spouse

Jacqueline Petcove

​

(m. )​

Children1

Margolis regularly performed in the films of director Darren Aronofsky, appearing in his first six films beginning with Pi (1998). He was also known for playing Alberto "The Shadow" in Scarface (1983), Jimmy in The Equalizer (1985–1989), Mr. Shickadance in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Antonio Nappa in Oz (1999–2003), Mr. Morrison in Short Eyes (1977) and the New Priest in Immortals (2011). He started acting in his teens.[1]

Mark Margolis was born on November 26, 1939,[2] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Fanya (née Fried) and Isidore Margolis.[3] He was born into a Jewish family.[4][5]

Margolis was briefly a student at Temple University before dropping out and moving to New York City.[6] At age 19, he was a student under Stella Adler at the Actors Studio. He was also later trained by Lee Strasberg and Barbara Loden.[3][6]

After training with Adler, Margolis started performing in various plays. In 1962 he played in the Broadway production Infidel Caesar, a production based on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The play was closed in previews and never ended up officially opening. He subsequently founded Blue Dome, a touring theater company that performed various productions. Margolis then worked in over 50 Off-Broadway plays.[7]

In 1976, Margolis made his first film appearance as an airplane passenger in The Opening of Misty Beethoven.[8] Margolis was also noted for his supporting roles in Scarface (1983),[1] Short Eyes (1977),[9] Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Immortals (2011), and the films of Darren Aronofsky: Pi (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000), The Fountain (2006), The Wrestler (2008), Black Swan (2010), and Noah (2014).[8]

In 1990, Margolis appeared in an episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. In 1991, he played Helmut Dieter in the soap opera Santa Barbara. In addition, he had recurring roles on numerous other TV shows, including The Equalizer, Quantum Leap, Oz, Law & Order, Crossing Jordan, Californication, Breaking Bad,[10] and Better Call Saul. In January 2015, he portrayed Felix Faust in the Constantine episode "Quid Pro Quo".[11] For his role in Breaking Bad, Margolis received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.[12] He would later reprise the role in the show's spin-off series, Better Call Saul.[13]

Despite focusing on television and film later in his career, Margolis continued acting on the stage. In 2010, he appeared as Bernie Madoff, in a regional production of Imagining Madoff.[7] In the Berkeley Repertory Theater's 2014 season, he appeared as Gus in Tony Kushner's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures.[14] In 2019, he performed in another of Kushner's works, playing Gottfried Swetts in A Bright Room Called Day.[7][15]

Margolis married Jacqueline Margolis (née Petcove), on June 3, 1962.[3][16] They had a son, actor Morgan H. Margolis, and three grandchildren.[3][6][17]

Margolis died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, on August 3, 2023, at age 83.[8]

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Muggable Mary, Street Cop Sgt. Meyers TV movie[30]
1983 Rage of Angels Ricky TV movie[31]
1985–1989 The Equalizer Jimmy 16 episodes[8]
1989 Quantum Leap Adriano Episode: "Double Identity – November 8, 1965"[32]
1990 Star Trek: The Next Generation Dr. Nel Apgar Episode: "A Matter of Perspective"[33]
1990 Columbo Cosner Episode: "Columbo Cries Wolf"[34]
1991 Santa Barbara Helmut Dieter 13 episodes[8]
1992 Law & Order George Lobrano Episode: "Prince of Darkness"[25]
1994 New York Undercover Clark Redmond Episode: "After Shakespeare"
1994 Guiding Light Harry Jones Unknown episodes[35]
1995 New York News — Episode: "Past Imperfect"
1997 Law & Order Bronson Episode: "Legacy"[25]
1998–2003 Oz Antonio Nappa 10 episodes[7]
1999 Now and Again Nicky Vordogov Episode: "Pulp Turkey"[25]
2001 Law & Order Frankie 'Threads' Politto Episode: "For Love or Money"[21]
2001 100 Centre Street Merle Kiefer Episode: "Andromeda and the Monster"
2001 Boss of Bosses Joe Armone TV movie[21]
2002 The Practice Ronald D'Amrosio Episode: "Fire Proof"[36]
2003–2004 Ed Mazula 2 episodes[25]
2004 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Mario Damiano Episode: "Fico Di Capo"[37]
2004 Sex and the City Jean Paul Sandal Episode: "The Cold War"[38]
2005 Crossing Jordan Cahill Episode: "It Happened One Night"[39]
2007 The Black Donnellys Sal Minetta Episode: "Pilot"[27]
2007 Californication Al Moody Episode: "California Son"[7]
2009 Kings Premier Shaw 2 episodes[7]
2009–2011 Breaking Bad Hector Salamanca 8 episodes[7]
2011 Blue Bloods Whitey Brennan 2 episodes[25]
2011 Mildred Pierce Mr. Chris 2 episodes[36]
2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rom-Baro Episode: "Lost Traveler"[40]
2011 The Good Wife Father Jim Episode: "Death Row Tip"[41]
2011–2012 Person of Interest Gianni Morretti 3 episodes[25]
2012 American Horror Story: Asylum Sam Goodman 3 episodes[25]
2015 Constantine Felix Faust Episode: "Quid Pro Quo"[11]
2015 Gotham Paul Cicero 2 episodes[25]
2015 Elementary Abraham Misraki Episode: "T-Bone and the Iceman"[42]
2015 12 Monkeys Mr. Werner Episode: "Paradox"[43]
2015 Benders Paul's Grandfather Episode: "Choke"[25]
2015 The Affair Arthur Solloway 3 episodes[8]
2016–2022 Better Call Saul Hector Salamanca 22 episodes[44]
2020 The Blacklist Jakov Mitko Episode: "Brothers"[45]
2020 Snowpiercer Old Ivan Episode: "First, the Weather Changed"[46]
2021 Prodigal Son Rudolph Swann Episode: "Head Case"[47]
2023 Your Honor Carmine Conti 5 episodes[8]
Year Title Artist Role Refs
1993 "Bad Girl" Madonna Bartender [48]
Year Title Role Refs
2003 Manhunt Tramp (voice) [49]

Awards and nominations

edit

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2011 Saturn Awards Best Guest Starring Role on Television[50] Breaking Bad Nominated
2012 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series[51] Nominated
  1. ^ a b "Mark Margolis". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2013. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.
  2. ^ Williams, Alex (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis, Scene-Stealing Actor in 'Breaking Bad,' Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Mark Margolis". Encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  4. ^ Schleier, Curt (August 2, 2012). "Mark Margolis on How To Win an Emmy". The Jewish Daily Forward. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  5. ^ Garai-Ebner, Ella (July 11, 2017). "Breaking Bad star Mark Margolis hospitalised after on-set fall". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Better Call Saul Insider Podcast: Bonus: Mark Margolis – Better Call Saul Insider on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Evans, Greg (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis Dies: Emmy-Nominated 'Breaking Bad', 'Better Call Saul' Actor Was 83". Deadline. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barnes, Mike (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis, Actor on 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul,' Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  9. ^ "Short Eyes (1977) - IMDb". IMDb.
  10. ^ Grant, Drew (August 12, 2012). "American Gangster: Don't Meth With Breaking Bad's Mark Margolis!". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  11. ^ a b Barton, Steve. "Constantine – Mark Margolis Will Be a Breaking Bad Guy!". Dread Central. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  12. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for 2012 – Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series". Emmys.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  13. ^ Vaughn, Mike (January 5, 2022). "Why Hector From Better Call Saul Looks So Familiar". Looper.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "Constantine – Mark Margolis Will Be a Breaking Bad Guy!". Dread Central. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  15. ^ "A Bright Room Called Day Extends Again at the Public Theater; Bill Heck to Join the Cast". Broadway.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  16. ^ "Jacqueline Margolis". Peliplat. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  17. ^ "Margolis, Morgan H. | Encyclopedia.com". encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "Short Eyes (1977) - IMDb". IMDb.
  19. ^ "Going in Style – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  20. ^ Richter, Karl (December 8, 2022). "HAVE A VERY SCARY CHRISTMAS | 'Tis the season for holiday horror". Texarkana Gazette. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak "Mark Margolis". BFI. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  22. ^ "White Hot". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  23. ^ "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  24. ^ "Squanto: A Warrior's Tale". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Mark Margolis – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Mark Margolis – Apple TV". AppleTV. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Mark Margolis: Movies, TV, and Bio". amazon.com. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  28. ^ "Immortals". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  29. ^ "One Fall". mubi.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Muggable Mary: Street Cop". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  31. ^ "Sidney Sheldon's 'Rage of Angels'". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  32. ^ "Double Identity – November 8, 1965 – Quantum Leap (Season 1, Episode 6) – Apple TV". AppleTV. April 21, 1989. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "A Matter of Perspective – Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 3, Episode 14) – Apple TV". AppleTV. February 12, 1990. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  34. ^ "Columbo: Season 9, Episode 2 – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Stedman, Alex (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis, Actor on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Dies at 83". IGN Africa. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Mark Margolis". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  37. ^ "Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Season 3, Episode 19 – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  38. ^ "The Cold War – Sex and the City (Season 6, Episode 17) – Apple TV". AppleTV. February 1, 2004. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  39. ^ "Crossing Jordan : It Happened One Night (2005) – Miguel Ferrer | Cast and Crew | AllMovie". allmovie. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  40. ^ "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Guest Stars Photo: 111301 - NBC.com". NBC. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  41. ^ "'The Good Wife' recap: Both sides now". Los Angeles Times. November 14, 2011. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "T-Bone and the Iceman – Elementary (Season 3, Episode 17) – Apple TV". AppleTV. March 12, 2015. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  43. ^ "Paradox – 12 Monkeys (Season 1, Episode 12) – Apple TV". AppleTV. April 3, 2015. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  44. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis, 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' Star, Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  45. ^ "The Blacklist: Season 7, Episode 17 – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  46. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (May 18, 2020). "TNT's Snowpiercer: Grade the Premiere". TVLine. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  47. ^ "Head Case – Prodigal Son (Season 2, Episode 6) – Apple TV". AppleTV. February 16, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  48. ^ Brasil, Sydney. "'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' Actor Mark Margolis Dead at 83". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  49. ^ Huerta, Gabriel (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis, 'Breaking Bad' and 'Scarface' actor, dies at 83". Diario AS. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  50. ^ "The 38th Saturn Award Nominations". Saturn Awards. July 17, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  51. ^ "Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 2012". Television Academy. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2023.