Breaking Bad cast pay tribute to show star Mark Margolis following his death

Stephen Porzio

“I only hope I have half his energy and focus when ‘action’ was shouted.”

Tributes have poured in for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star Mark Margolis following his death at the age of 83.

Margolis’ publicist said the actor passed away in a New York City hospital following a short illness and that his wife and son were by his bedside.

Having acted for decades, Margolis’ most iconic role came later in his career when he appeared in Breaking Bad as Hector Salamanca, a vicious elderly don in a Mexican drug cartel.

Paralysed and unable to speak as a result of a stroke, Hector communicates via a brass service bell taped onto his wheelchair armrest.

Margolis only appeared in eight episodes of Breaking Bad but became one of its most iconic characters, later reprising the role in the show’s prequel series Better Call Saul for 22 more episodes.

After the actor’s death, Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston paid tribute to his former co-star in an Instagram post that reads:

“I am very saddened today to learn of a friend’s passing. 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. I miss him already.

“Rest now, Mark and thank you for your friendship and your exceptional body of work.”

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A post shared by Bryan Cranston (@bryancranston)

Meanwhile, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk said of Margolis:

“A powerful screen presence! Mark made me laugh in the van on the way to set with his jokes and comments and I only hope I have half his energy and focus when ‘action’ was shouted.

“Thank you, Mark, and condolences to your family.”

A powerful screen presence! Mark made me laugh in the van on the way to set with his jokes and comments and I only hope I have half his energy and focus when “Action” was shouted. Thank you, Mark, and condolences to your family. https://t.co/3jwmjXW75M

— Mr. Bob Odenkirk (@mrbobodenkirk) August 4, 2023

Another cast member from both shows who paid tribute to Margolis was Giancarlo Esposito. He wrote:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and dynamic human Mark Margolis. You made me laugh, made me cry doubled over with laughter, but more than anything you made me think.

“Always honest, always true. I will miss you. We made great music together. I am grateful to have had time with you.”

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A post shared by Giancarlo Esposito (@thegiancarloesposito)

Meanwhile, Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould described Margolis as “brilliant” and “funny” and as being “a raconteur with a million stories”.

Absolutely devastated to hear that we’ve lost Mark Margolis. Mark was brilliant, funny, a raconteur with a million stories. I miss him already.

— Peter Gould (@petergould) August 4, 2023

Along with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Margolis appeared in several high profile movies including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Daredevil, Gone Baby Gone, Scarface and The Thomas Crown Affair.

He was also a prolific TV actor and featured in such shows as The Equalizer, Oz and Your Honor.

Margolis was also a regular of acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky and had roles in his films Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan and Noah.

Aronofsky paid tribute to the actor in a series of social media posts. Posting an image of Margolis, he wrote:

“Legend. My dear friend Mark Margolis who saved me by playing Sol in Pi, and joined me on Requiem, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan and Noah was a friend, a mentor, a true New Yorker, and a great great artist.

“I love you Mark and I am so grateful for everything you contributed to the world.”