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Mark Margolis

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Mark Margolis
Margolis at the premiere of Noah in 2014
Born(1939-11-26)November 26, 1939
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedAugust 3, 2023(2023-08-03) (aged 83)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma mater
OccupationActor
Years active1960s–2023
Spouse
Jacqueline Petcove
(m. 1962)
Children1

Mark Margolis (/mɑːrˈɡlɪs/, 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.

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]

Early life

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Margolis was born on November 26, 1939,[2] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Jewish parents Fanya (née Fried) and Isidore Margolis.[3][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]

Career

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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]

Personal life

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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]

Death

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

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1976 The Opening of Misty Beethoven Unhappy Airplane Passenger Uncredited [8]
1977 Short Eyes Mr. Morrison [18]
1979 Going in Style Prison Guard [19]
1980 Dressed to Kill Patient Uncredited [8]
Christmas Evil Christmas Party Patron (Man #2) [20]
1983 Eddie Macon's Run 5:00 Bar Owner [21]
Scarface Alberto The Shadow
1984 The Cotton Club Charlie Workman [8]
1987 The Bedroom Window Man in Phone Booth [21]
The Secret of My Succe$s Maintenance Man
1989 Glory 10th Connecticut Soldier
White Hot The Tin Man
1990 Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection Gen. Olmedo
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Gage [22]
1991 The Pit and the Pendulum Mendoza [21]
1992 1492: Conquest of Paradise Francisco de Bobadilla
1994 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Mr. Shickadance
Squanto: A Warrior's Tale Captain Thomas Hunt [23]
1996 I Shot Andy Warhol Louis Solanas [21]
The Pallbearer Philip DeMarco
1997 Absolute Power Red Brandsford
Trouble on the Corner Mr. Borofsky [24]
1998 Side Streets Bartender [21]
π Sol Robeson
1999 Mickey Blue Eyes Gene Morganson
Flawless Vinnie
Jakob the Liar Fajngold
The Thomas Crown Affair Heinrich Knutzhorn
End of Days Pope
2000 Fast Food, Fast Women Graham
Dinner Rush Fitzgerald
Requiem for a Dream Mr. Rabinowitz
2001 Hardball Fink
The Tailor of Panama Rafi Domingo
Hannibal Perfume Expert
2002 Infested Father Morning [24]
2003 Daredevil Eddie Fallon Uncredited [25]
2004 House of D Mr. Pappass [24]
2005 Stay Business Man [21]
Headspace Boris Pavlovsky [24]
2006 The Fountain Father Avila [21]
2007 Gone Baby Gone Leon Trett
The Girl Next Door Homeless Man Hit By Car [26]
2008 Defiance Jewish Elder [21]
Haber Bremer [24]
The Wrestler Lenny [21]
The Model Maker The Model Maker
2010 Black Swan Mr. Fithian [21]
2011 Immortals The New Priest Uncredited [27]
One Fall Walter Grigg Sr. [28]
The Courier Stitch [24]
2012 Stand Up Guys Claphands [21]
2013 Beneath Mr. Parks [24]
Northern Borders Whiskeyjack Kittredge
2014 Noah Magog Voice [21]
2015 Nasty Baby Richard
The Abandoned Jim [24]
2016 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Panos [21]
2017 Valley of Bones El Papá [24]
2019 Abe Benjamin
2020 Minyan Itzik
2022 Every Last Secret Grandpa

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1982 Muggable Mary, Street Cop Sgt. Meyers TV movie[29]
1983 Rage of Angels Ricky
1985–1989 The Equalizer Jimmy 16 episodes[8]
1989 Quantum Leap Adriano Episode: "Double Identity – November 8, 1965"[30]
1990 Star Trek: The Next Generation Dr. Nel Apgar Episode: "A Matter of Perspective"[31]
Columbo Cosner Episode: "Columbo Cries Wolf"[32]
1991 Santa Barbara Helmut Dieter 13 episodes[8]
1992 Law & Order George Lobrano Episode: "Prince of Darkness"[24]
1994 New York Undercover Clark Redmond Episode: "After Shakespeare"
Guiding Light Harry Jones Unknown episodes[33]
1995 New York News Episode: "Past Imperfect"
1997 Law & Order Bronson Episode: "Legacy"[24]
1998–2003 Oz Antonio Nappa 10 episodes[7]
1999 Now and Again Nicky Vordogov Episode: "Pulp Turkey"[24]
2001 Law & Order Frankie 'Threads' Politto Episode: "For Love or Money"[21]
100 Centre Street Merle Kiefer Episode: "Andromeda and the Monster"
Boss of Bosses Joe Armone TV movie[21]
2002 The Practice Ronald D'Amrosio Episode: "Fire Proof"[34]
2003–2004 Ed Mazula 2 episodes[24]
2004 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Mario Damiano Episode: "Fico Di Capo"[35]
Sex and the City Jean Paul Sandal Episode: "The Cold War"[36]
2005 Crossing Jordan Cahill Episode: "It Happened One Night"[37]
2007 The Black Donnellys Sal Minetta Episode: "Pilot"[26]
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[24]
Mildred Pierce Mr. Chris
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rom-Baro Episode: "Lost Traveler"[38]
The Good Wife Father Jim Episode: "Death Row Tip"[39]
2011–2012 Person of Interest Gianni Morretti 3 episodes[24]
2012 American Horror Story: Asylum Sam Goodman 3 episodes[24]
2015 Constantine Felix Faust Episode: "Quid Pro Quo"[11]
Gotham Paul Cicero 2 episodes[24]
Elementary Abraham Misraki Episode: "T-Bone and the Iceman"[40]
12 Monkeys Mr. Werner Episode: "Paradox"[41]
Benders Paul's Grandfather Episode: "Choke"[24]
The Affair Arthur Solloway 3 episodes[8]
2016–2022 Better Call Saul Hector Salamanca 22 episodes[42]
2020 The Blacklist Jakov Mitko Episode: "Brothers"[43]
Snowpiercer Old Ivan Episode: "First, the Weather Changed"[44]
2021 Prodigal Son Rudolph Swann Episode: "Head Case"[45]
2023 Your Honor Carmine Conti 5 episodes[8]

Music videos

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Year Title Artist Role Refs
1993 "Bad Girl" Madonna Bartender [46]

Video games

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Year Title Role Refs
2003 Manhunt Tramp (voice) [47]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2011 Saturn Awards Best Guest Starring Role on Television[48] Breaking Bad Nominated
2012 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series[49] Nominated

References

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  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 "Mark Margolis". BFI. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  22. ^ "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  23. ^ "Squanto: A Warrior's Tale". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Mark Margolis – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "Mark Margolis – Apple TV". AppleTV. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Mark Margolis: Movies, TV, and Bio". amazon.com. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "Immortals". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  28. ^ "One Fall". mubi.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  29. ^ "Muggable Mary: Street Cop". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "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.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "Columbo: Season 9, Episode 2 – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  33. ^ Stedman, Alex (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis, Actor on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Dies at 83". IGN Africa. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  34. ^ "Mark Margolis". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  35. ^ "Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Season 3, Episode 19 – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  36. ^ "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.
  37. ^ "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.
  38. ^ "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Guest Stars Photo: 111301 - NBC.com". NBC. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  39. ^ "'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.
  40. ^ "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.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (August 4, 2023). "Mark Margolis, 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' Star, Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  43. ^ "The Blacklist: Season 7, Episode 17 – Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  44. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (May 18, 2020). "TNT's Snowpiercer: Grade the Premiere". TVLine. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  45. ^ "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.
  46. ^ Brasil, Sydney. "'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' Actor Mark Margolis Dead at 83". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ "The 38th Saturn Award Nominations". Saturn Awards. July 17, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  49. ^ "Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 2012". Television Academy. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
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