Mark Margolis is an American actor born in Philadelphia in 1939. He is best known for his role as Hector Salamanca in the hit TV series Breaking Bad and its prequel Better Call Saul.
His performance as a wheelchair-bound, alarm-ringing drug lord, silent yet menacing, earned him critical acclaim, including an Emmy nomination.
Prior to taking on this role, Margolis had built a solid acting career that spanned decades, starring in films such as Scarface (1983) and numerous directorial appearances by Darren Aronofsky Works, including Requiem for a Dream (2000) and Black Swan (2010). Although he passed away in 2023, his roles in television and movies left a lasting legacy.
contour
- Full name: Mark Margolis
- Date of birth: November 26, 1939
- Age (as of 2024): 85 (died in 2023)
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality: United States
- Occupation: Actor
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Fanya Margolis, Isidore Margolis
- Siblings: Jerome Margolis
- Spouse: Jacqueline Margolis
- Children: Morgan Margolis
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Judaism
- Ethnicity: Jewish-American
- Net worth: $2.5 million
early life and education
Mark Margolis was born on November 26, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Fanya and Isidore Margolis.
He grew up in a Jewish family and was taught to appreciate his heritage. Margolis died in 2023 at the age of 83. He briefly attended Temple University before moving to New York City to pursue an acting career.
In New York, he studied with famous teachers such as Stella Adler at the Actors Studio, and later with Lee Strasberg and Barbara Loden Loden) who had a profound influence on his craft.
Margolis’s early life in Philadelphia and New York led to a career that spanned multiple genres and media from stage to screen.
His Jewish identity and connection to his roots remain a central part of his personal story, although he is best known for playing intense and often villainous characters.
personal life
In 1962, Margolis married Jacqueline Margolis in New York. The couple enjoyed a lengthy marriage of 61 years until his death in 2023.
They have a son, Morgan Margolis, who is the CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment. Morgan and his wife Hyde have three children: Ben, Aidan and Henry, making Mark the grandfather of three boys.
Profession
Mark Margolis’ career spanned more than 50 years, amassing more than 160 acting credits in film and television.
His breakthrough role came in 1983 in Scarface as Alberto “The Shadow”, a violent and iconic follower of Al Pacino’s Tony Montana who. Thus began a long career of playing memorable and morally complex characters.
Throughout his career, Margolis had a close relationship with director Darren Aronofsky, appearing in six of his films, including Pi (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000) and The Fountain (2006).
His villainous roles as Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad (2009-2011) and Better Call Saul (2016-2022) cemented his reputation as dark and compelling characters. His ability to create compelling roles earned him widespread acclaim and an Emmy Award nomination in 2012.
Despite the character’s lack of dialogue, Margolis’s portrayal of Salamanca became iconic for its intensity and physicality.
In addition to her notable roles in film and television, Margolis has appeared in popular shows such as The Equalizer, Santa Barbara, Once Upon a Time and Person of Interest.
His contributions to film and television have made him a respected figure in show business, known for his versatility and dedication to his craft.
Awards
- “Breaking Bad” Primetime Emmy Award Nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (2012)
net worth
Mark Margolis’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $2.5 million. He has amassed his wealth through a long and varied acting career, including high-profile roles in TV series such as “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” and work in major films such as “Scarface.”
die
Mark Margolis passed away on August 3, 2023, in New York City after a brief illness. He is 83 years old. He was surrounded by his wife Jacqueline and their son Morgan when he died.
Margolis’ death marked the end of a prolific career, but his performances, especially as Hector Salamanca, left a lasting mark on the entertainment world.
social media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: N/A
film chronology
- Scarface(1983)
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
- Requiem for a Dream(2000)
- Fountain(2006)
- Black Swan(2010)
- Breaking Bad (2009-2011)
- Better Call Saul(2016–2022)
