Mark Margolis | |
|---|---|
 Margolis at the premiere ofNoah in 2014 | |
| Born | (1939-11-26)November 26, 1939 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 3, 2023(2023-08-03) (aged 83) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960s–2023 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Mark Margolis (/mɑːrˈɡoʊlɪs/,mar-GOH-liss; November 26, 1939 – August 3, 2023) was an American actor known for his portrayal of the characterHector Salamanca inBreaking Bad (2009–2011) andBetter Call Saul (2016–2022). His performance inBreaking Bad was nominated for anEmmy Award in 2012.
Margolis regularly performed in the films of directorDarren Aronofsky, appearing in his first six films beginning withPi (1998). He was also known for playing Alberto "The Shadow" inScarface (1983), Jimmy inThe Equalizer (1985–1989), Mr. Shickadance inAce Ventura: Pet Detective (1994),Antonio Nappa inOz (1999–2003), Mr. Morrison inShort Eyes (1977) and the New Priest inImmortals (2011). He started acting in his teens.[1]
Margolis was born on November 26, 1939,[2] inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, the son ofJewish parents Fanya (née Fried) and Isidore Margolis.[3][4][5] Margolis was briefly a student atTemple University before dropping out and moving to New York City.[6] At age 19, he was a student underStella Adler at theActors Studio. He was also later trained byLee Strasberg andBarbara Loden.[3][6]
After training with Adler, Margolis started performing in various plays. In 1962 he played in theBroadway productionInfidel Caesar, a production based onShakespeare'sJulius Caesar. The play was closed in previews and never ended up officially opening. He subsequently founded Blue Dome, atouring theater company that performed various productions. Margolis then worked in over 50Off-Broadway plays.[7]
In 1976, Margolis made his first film appearance as an airplane passenger inThe Opening of Misty Beethoven.[8] Margolis was also noted for his supporting roles inScarface (1983),[1] Short Eyes (1977),[9]Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994),Immortals (2011), and the films ofDarren Aronofsky:Pi (1998),Requiem for a Dream (2000),The Fountain (2006),The Wrestler (2008),Black Swan (2010), andNoah (2014).[8]
In 1990, Margolis appeared in an episode of the science fiction television seriesStar Trek: The Next Generation. In 1991, he played Helmut Dieter in the soap operaSanta Barbara. In addition, he had recurring roles on numerous other TV shows, includingThe Equalizer,Quantum Leap,Oz,Law & Order,Crossing Jordan,Californication,Breaking Bad,[10] andBetter Call Saul. In January 2015, he portrayedFelix Faust in theConstantine episode "Quid Pro Quo".[11] For his role inBreaking Bad asHector Salamanca, Margolis received a nomination for aPrimetime 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 ofImagining Madoff.[7] In theBerkeley Repertory Theater's 2014 season, he appeared as Gus inTony Kushner'sThe 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 inA Bright Room Called Day.[7][15]
Margolis married Jacqueline Margolis (née Petcove), on June 3, 1962.[3][16] They had a son, actorMorgan Margolis, and three grandchildren.[3][6][17]
Margolis died atMount 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[29] |
| 1983 | Rage of Angels | Ricky | |
| 1985–1989 | The Equalizer | Jimmy | 16 episodes |
| 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] |
| Year | Title | Artist | Role | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Bad Girl" | Madonna | Bartender | [46] |
| Year | Title | Role | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Manhunt | Tramp (voice) | [47] |
| 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 |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
