Mark Margolis

Mark Margolis (, ; November 26, 1939 – August 3, 2023) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of the character Héctor 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.

Margolis, who started acting in his teens, 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).

Early life Margolis was born on November 26, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Greek-Jewish parents Fanya (née Fried) and Isidore Margolis. Margolis was briefly a student at Temple University before dropping out and moving to New York City.

Career 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.

In 1976, Margolis made a film appearance as an airplane passenger in The Opening of Misty Beethoven. 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). and Better Call Saul. In January 2015, he portrayed Felix Faust in the Constantine episode "Quid Pro Quo". For his role in Breaking Bad as Héctor Salamanca, Margolis received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He would later reprise the role in the show's spin-off series, Better Call Saul.

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. In 2019, he performed in another of Kushner's works, playing Gottfried Swetts in A Bright Room Called Day.

Personal life Margolis married Jacqueline Petcove on June 3, 1962. They had a son, Morgan Margolis, and three grandchildren. Margolis died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, on August 3, 2023, aged 83.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1976 The Opening of Misty Beethoven Unhappy Airplane Passenger Uncredited 1979 Going in Style Prison Guard 1980 Dressed to Kill Patient Uncredited 1983 Eddie Macon's Run 5:00 Bar Owner Scarface Alberto The Shadow 1984 The Cotton Club Charlie Workman 1991 The Pit and the Pendulum Mendoza 1996 I Shot Andy Warhol Louis Solanas 1998 Side Streets Bartender 2004 House of D Mr. Pappass 2008 Defiance Jewish Elder One Fall Walter Grigg Sr. The Courier Stitch 1983 Rage of Angels Ricky 1985–1989 The Equalizer Jimmy 1990 Star Trek: The Next Generation Dr. Nel Apgar Episode: "A Matter of Perspective" Columbo Cosner Episode: "Columbo Cries Wolf" 1991 Santa Barbara Helmut Dieter 13 episodes 1995 New York News Episode: "Past Imperfect" 1997 Law & Order Bronson Episode: "Legacy" 2003–2004 Ed Mazula 2 episodes Sex and the City Jean Paul Sandal Episode: "The Cold War" 2005 Crossing Jordan Cahill Episode: "It Happened One Night" 2007 The Black Donnellys Sal Minetta Episode: "Pilot" The Good Wife Father Jim Episode: "Death Row Tip" 2011–2012 Person of Interest Gianni Morretti 3 episodes 12 Monkeys Mr. Werner Episode: "Paradox" Benders Paul's Grandfather Episode: "Choke" 2020 The Blacklist Jakov Mitko Episode: "Brothers" Snowpiercer Old Ivan Episode: "First, the Weather Changed" 2021 Prodigal Son Rudolph Swann Episode: "Head Case" 2023Your HonorCarmine Conti5 episodes

Video games Year Title Role Refs 2003 Manhunt Tramp (voice)

Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result 2011 Saturn Awards Best Guest Starring Role on Television Breaking Bad 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series