Mark Margolis

Mark Margolis (November 26, 1939 – August 3, 2023) was an American character actor renowned for his intense portrayals of menacing figures, most notably as the wheelchair-bound drug cartel enforcer Hector Salamanca in the television series Breaking Bad (2009–2011) and its prequel Better Call Saul (2015–2022).^[1][2] Over a career spanning more than five decades, he amassed over 160 credits in film and television, often collaborating with acclaimed directors such as Darren Aronofsky and Brian De Palma, while earning a 2012 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his wordless yet iconic performance in Breaking Bad.^[1][2][3] Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Margolis briefly attended Temple University before relocating to New York City at age 19 to pursue acting, where he trained under influential teachers including Stella Adler—serving as her assistant—and Lee Strasberg.^[1][2] His early career in the 1970s involved off-Broadway theater work as an understudy and acting coach, transitioning to screen roles with appearances in films like The Deer Hunter (1978) and television episodes of Kojak.^[2][1] Margolis gained wider recognition in the 1980s through supporting parts in notable movies, including the henchman Alberto "The Shadow" in Brian De Palma's Scarface (1983) and various antagonistic figures in works by Aronofsky, such as Pi (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000), and Black Swan (2010).^[1][2] His portrayal of Hector Salamanca marked a career pinnacle, transforming the character from a silent, bell-ringing invalid in Breaking Bad—despite Margolis not speaking Spanish—to a more dynamic, pre-disability version in Better Call Saul, where he delivered dialogue in both English and Spanish.^[1][3] Margolis continued working in prestige television, appearing in series like Oz, The Sopranos, and Your Honor, often embodying brooding authority figures that highlighted his economical yet powerful screen presence.^[2] He died at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan following a short illness, survived by his wife of 61 years, Jacqueline; son, Morgan; brother, Jerome; and three grandchildren.^[1]

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family Background

Mark Margolis was born on November 26, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Jewish immigrant parents of Eastern European descent.^[4] His father, Isidore Margolis, was a Polish Jewish immigrant who worked as a factory worker, while his mother, Fanya (née Fried), was a Russian Jewish immigrant employed as a decorator for a wallpaper company.^[5][6] Margolis briefly attended Temple University before pursuing other paths.^[4]

Acting Training

Margolis took his first acting class at age 14 at the Bessie V. Hicks School of Drama in Philadelphia. After graduating from Lincoln High School, he briefly attended Temple University in Philadelphia for one year but dropped out to pursue a career in acting full-time.^[3][1][7] In New York City, he studied acting with renowned acting coach Stella Adler, serving as her personal assistant for three years. Adler's rigorous approach, which emphasized truthful emotional responses through imagination and physical actions drawn from Stanislavski's system, formed the core of Margolis's foundational technique, often aligned with broader method acting principles.^[1] He also took classes with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, becoming a lifetime member of the institution, further deepening his understanding of psychological realism and character immersion.^[1] Margolis later credited Adler as "one of the greatest teachers of acting who ever lived," describing her as a "force of nature."^[8][9] During the 1960s and 1970s, Margolis honed his skills through involvement in over 50 Off-Broadway plays, beginning with debut roles that demanded versatility and immediacy in live performance.^[10][11] This extensive stage work developed his abilities in ensemble dynamics, vocal projection, and spontaneous adaptation to audience energy, building a strong foundation for his transition to screen acting.^[10]

Career

Early Career in Theater and Film

After completing his acting training in New York City, Mark Margolis began his professional theater career in the early 1960s, building a foundation through persistent work on stage. He appeared in more than 50 Off-Broadway productions, including notable roles such as My Uncle Sam at the Public Theater in 1983 and Red One in The Golem at the Delacorte Theatre in 1984.^[12][2][13] Margolis also founded the avant-garde touring theater company Blue Dome, which allowed him to perform regionally while honing his craft amid the challenges of sustaining a living through stage acting.^[11] Transitioning to film in the mid-1970s, Margolis made his debut in a minor role as an airplane passenger in the 1976 adult comedy The Opening of Misty Beethoven.^[14][15] He continued with small supporting parts in 1980s features, such as the orderly in Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill (1980) and Alberto "The Shadow," a henchman to Al Pacino's Tony Montana, in Scarface (1983).^[1] Early television work included a brief appearance as the First Gunman in an episode of Kojak in 1977.^[1] Throughout this period, Margolis faced significant financial instability in New York, where he resided in the same Manhattan apartment from 1975 onward, supplementing his acting income with diverse odd jobs, including as a bouncer and doorman in nightclubs.^[1][16] He also grappled with typecasting as a "Latin heavy" in roles requiring ethnic ambiguity, despite being Jewish and not fluent in Spanish, which limited his opportunities and contributed to the journeyman nature of his early career.^[1] By the late 1980s, he secured a recurring role as Jimmy on the CBS series The Equalizer (1985–1989), marking a gradual shift toward more consistent screen work.^[12]

Breakthrough Roles in Independent Cinema

Mark Margolis's entry into independent cinema came with his role as Sol Robeson in Darren Aronofsky's debut feature Pi (1998), where he portrayed a reclusive, stroke-afflicted mathematician serving as mentor to the protagonist, Max Cohen (Sean Gullette). This black-and-white thriller, shot on a shoestring budget of $60,000, explored themes of obsession and paranoia through mathematical patterns, with Margolis's performance providing a grounded, world-weary counterpoint to the film's frenetic energy. The film's success at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Directing Award, marked a pivotal moment for both Aronofsky and Margolis, introducing the actor to the indie scene as a reliable purveyor of intense, introspective characters.^[17] Margolis deepened his association with Aronofsky and independent filmmaking in Requiem for a Dream (2000), playing Mr. Rabinowitz, a sleazy neighbor and opportunistic enabler in the story of addiction's devastating toll. As the landlord who repairs Sara Goldfarb's television and later supplies her with amphetamine-laced diet pills, Margolis embodied the predatory figures who exploit vulnerability, contributing to the film's unflinching portrayal of societal fringes. Critics lauded the ensemble's raw intensity, with Margolis's brief but memorable turn highlighting the enablers who perpetuate cycles of dependency, helping the film earn widespread acclaim for its visceral style and emotional depth following its premiere at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.^[18] Margolis's subsequent collaborations with Aronofsky further entrenched his reputation in psychological dramas, beginning with The Fountain (2006), where he appeared as Father Avila, a devout priest guiding conquistador Tomás (Hugh Jackman) on a perilous quest for the Tree of Life in 16th-century Spain. This supporting role in the film's interwoven narratives of love, loss, and immortality underscored Margolis's ability to convey quiet authority amid existential turmoil. He continued this niche in The Wrestler (2008), portraying Lenny, a grizzled wrestling promoter who brokers high-stakes matches for faded star Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), capturing the gritty underbelly of the sport's independent circuit. These roles, spanning Aronofsky's evolving indie aesthetic from experimental thrillers to character-driven epics, solidified Margolis as a go-to actor for nuanced, psychologically layered supporting performances in low-budget, high-impact cinema.^[19][20]

Television Success

Margolis began establishing himself on television in the 1980s through guest appearances in prominent crime dramas, which helped cultivate his reputation for portraying tough, streetwise characters. He appeared as a U.S. Treasury agent in an episode of Miami Vice in 1988, contributing to the show's high-stakes narratives of drug enforcement and corruption. More notably, he took on the recurring role of Jimmy, a resourceful veteran of a covert organization who assists the protagonist Robert McCall, across 16 episodes of The Equalizer from 1985 to 1989, demonstrating his knack for layered supporting parts in vigilante-themed stories. By the late 1990s, Margolis secured a significant recurring role that highlighted his intensity in ensemble settings. In Oz, HBO's groundbreaking prison drama, he portrayed Antonio Nappa, a ruthless Sicilian mob boss who seizes control of the Italian inmate faction, appearing in 10 episodes from 1998 to 2003. This performance allowed him to explore themes of power struggles and survival within a gritty, character-driven format, earning praise for his commanding presence amid the series' diverse cast.^[21] His film background, particularly in intense character studies, informed the nuanced menace he brought to such television roles. Entering the mid-2000s, Margolis maintained a steady presence in prestige television with guest spots that underscored his versatility in procedural and mob-related tales. He guest-starred as Frankie "Threads" Polito, a mob-connected tailor, in the 2001 Law & Order episode "For Love or Money," and later as Mario Damiano, a crime family associate, in the 2004 Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Fico di Capo." These appearances exemplified his ongoing reliability in high-caliber series focused on law enforcement and organized crime, paving the way for greater recognition.

Iconic Roles

Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul

Mark Margolis was cast as Hector "Tio" Salamanca, the wheelchair-bound enforcer for the Juárez Cartel, in the second season of Breaking Bad (2009–2011). The role came about serendipitously when a friend, who was fluent in Spanish and from New Mexico, read the script and declined it due to the lack of speaking lines; Margolis, seeing an opportunity to focus on immersion without memorizing dialogue, eagerly accepted.^[22] He portrayed Hector as a mute, stroke-afflicted figure confined to a wheelchair, relying on intense glares and a call bell for communication, which added layers of menace and pathos to the character.^[23] To prepare for the non-verbal demands of the role, particularly after Hector's stroke storyline rendered him speechless, Margolis drew inspiration from his mother-in-law, who had suffered a real stroke; he studied her facial expressions to authentically convey rage, frustration, and subtle emotions without words.^[24] This method allowed him to infuse Hector with a simmering volatility, making the character a silent yet terrifying presence in scenes like his interrogations with the DEA, where frantic bell-ringing signals his hatred for Walter White. Additionally, for Hector's earlier, verbal appearances requiring Spanish dialogue, Margolis relied on his prior experience having lived in Mexico and visited Spain, supplemented by on-set tutoring, though he admitted to initial anxiety over last-minute lines; his Spanish pronunciation drew some criticism for inaccuracy despite preparation.^[25][26] The character expanded significantly in the prequel series Better Call Saul (2016–2022), where Margolis depicted a pre-stroke Hector as a ruthless, hot-tempered cartel leader clashing with Gus Fring over territory and operations in Albuquerque. Key episodes highlighted his antagonism, such as his confrontation at Los Pollos Hermanos and the introduction of the bell by nephew Lalo Salamanca to aid communication post-stroke, setting up his paralyzed state from Breaking Bad.^[27] A pivotal moment bridging both series is Hector's ultimate revenge in the Breaking Bad finale "Face Off," where he repeatedly rings the bell to detonate a suicide bomb strapped to his wheelchair, killing Gus Fring in a explosive act of defiance.^[27] Margolis's portrayal earned widespread critical acclaim for its intensity and economy, culminating in a 2012 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series—the only silent performance nominated that year—despite limited screen time across 8 Breaking Bad episodes.^[24] Critics praised how he stole scenes through sheer physicality, transforming Hector into a symbol of unyielding cartel legacy. The role revitalized Margolis's career in his 70s, leading to 22 Better Call Saul appearances and elevating him from a journeyman actor to a pop culture icon, influencing depictions of vengeful, aging villains in television with Hector's bell becoming a meme-worthy emblem of restrained fury.^{[23][28][29][30]}

Collaborations with Darren Aronofsky

Mark Margolis's professional relationship with director Darren Aronofsky began in 1998 and extended across the filmmaker's first six feature films, marking one of the most enduring actor-director collaborations in independent cinema. Their partnership originated with Aronofsky's low-budget debut Pi, where Margolis took on a pivotal supporting role as Sol Robeson, the reclusive mathematician mentor to the protagonist, delivering a performance that showcased his ability to convey intellectual depth and quiet menace through subtle physicality and dialogue. This role, performed for no pay amid production delays that Margolis humorously recalled chasing for three months, set the tone for their ongoing rapport, with Margolis later joking that Aronofsky felt an "obligation" to cast him thereafter due to his early commitment.^[24] The duo's subsequent collaborations featured Margolis in increasingly varied and symbolic capacities, often leveraging his intense screen presence to embody authority figures or vulnerable elders amid Aronofsky's thematic explorations of obsession, faith, and human frailty. In Requiem for a Dream (2000), he portrayed the frail Mr. Rabinowitz, an elderly Holocaust survivor in a nursing home whose poignant interactions highlighted themes of isolation and lost dreams. By The Fountain (2006), Aronofsky specifically wrote the role of Father Avila—a stern 16th-century priest guiding the conquistador Tomás—for Margolis, tailoring it to his gravitas in a narrative spanning centuries and blending historical, scientific, and mystical elements. In The Wrestler (2008), Margolis appeared as Lenny, the no-nonsense underground fight promoter who pushes the aging wrestler Randy toward one last brutal match, adding gritty authenticity to the film's depiction of physical decline. His roles evolved further into more understated cameos, such as Mr. Fithian, a wealthy ballet patron in Black Swan (2010), subtly underscoring the cutthroat world of artistic perfectionism. The partnership culminated in Noah (2014), where Margolis voiced Magog, one of the fallen angel Watchers transformed into rock giants who aid Noah's ark, representing redemption and otherworldly intervention in Aronofsky's biblical epic.^{[31][32][33][34][35]} Throughout their two-decade association, Aronofsky and Margolis developed a deep mutual respect, with the director frequently drawing on the actor's versatility to infuse scenes with emotional weight, often through improvisation that amplified Margolis's naturalistic intensity. Margolis credited their bond to the foundational trust built on Pi and Requiem for a Dream, which served as his breakthrough in independent film, allowing him to explore antagonistic yet sympathetic archetypes that mirrored Aronofsky's visceral storytelling style. Aronofsky, in turn, mourned Margolis as a "genius" whose transformative presence enriched their shared projects, reflecting a creative synergy that spanned from raw indie origins to ambitious spectacles.^[36][37]

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Margolis married actress Jacqueline Petcove on June 3, 1962, in a union that endured for 61 years.^[38][39] Petcove, born in Queens, New York, in 1939, had a modest acting career with roles in films such as Summer of Sam (1999) and City Hall (1996), and she provided steadfast support for Margolis from behind the scenes throughout his professional journey.^[39] The couple welcomed one son, Morgan H. Margolis, born in 1966.^[38] Morgan followed in his parents' footsteps as an actor, appearing in television series including Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise, before transitioning to business as CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment in 2008, where he oversees music venues, labels, and production with annual revenues exceeding $35 million.^[39][40] Morgan and his wife have three children, Margolis's grandchildren, contributing to the close-knit family dynamic.^[39][41] Despite the demands of Margolis's acting career, which often required travel for film and television work, the family maintained a low-key existence in New York City, prioritizing privacy and stability at home.^[42][10] Jacqueline's behind-the-scenes role helped balance these professional obligations with family life.^[39]

Health and Death

In the years leading up to his death, Margolis experienced significant health challenges, including a fall on the set of Better Call Saul in 2017 that required emergency brain surgery.^[43][44] His long marriage to Jacqueline Margolis, spanning 61 years, provided essential support during this period of decline.^[41] Margolis died on August 3, 2023, at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, at the age of 83, following a short illness.^[45][1][7] The specific cause was not publicly disclosed beyond the description of a short illness.^[41][46] His son, Morgan Margolis, announced the death in a statement, confirming that Margolis's wife and son were at his bedside when he passed.^[45][41][1] No public details emerged regarding funeral arrangements.^[46]

Recognition

Awards and Nominations

Mark Margolis received several nominations for his portrayal of Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad, highlighting his ability to convey menace and vulnerability without dialogue. His most prominent recognition came from the television industry, where his guest appearances earned acclaim for their intensity and subtlety. In 2012, Margolis was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Breaking Bad.^[47] This nomination marked him as the only Breaking Bad cast member to receive an Emmy nod in that category, underscoring the impact of his silent yet commanding performance.^[48] That same year, he earned a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Guest Performance in a Television Series, also for Breaking Bad, from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.^[49][50] The Saturn recognition celebrated his contribution to genre television, aligning with the series' blend of crime drama and suspense. Additional nods in 2012 included a Gold Derby TV Award nomination for Drama Guest Actor and an Online Film & Television Association (OFTA) Television Award nomination for Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series, both for Breaking Bad.^[51] These honors reflected broader industry appreciation for his episodic excellence. In 2019, he placed 3rd in the Gold Derby TV Award for Drama Guest Actor of the Decade for Breaking Bad.^[49] While Margolis's film roles in independent cinema, such as Requiem for a Dream, contributed to critically acclaimed ensembles, he did not receive individual festival awards for these performances. His overall accolades remained centered on television, with no major wins but consistent nominations that affirmed his status as a character actor of depth.

Legacy and Tributes

Following his death in 2023, Mark Margolis received heartfelt tributes from his Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul co-stars, who praised his talent, humor, and warmth. Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White, remembered Margolis as "a really good actor and a lovely human being," noting his engaging off-set personality, mischievous nature, and love for sharing jokes, adding, "I miss him already. Rest now, Mark and thank you for your friendship and your exceptional body of work."^[52] Bob Odenkirk, portraying Saul Goodman, highlighted Margolis's "powerful screen presence," recounting how he "made me laugh in the van on the way to set with his jokes and comments" and expressing hope to match his energy and focus during scenes, concluding with condolences to his family.^[52] Giancarlo Esposito, known as Gus Fring, described Margolis as a "dear friend and dynamic human," stating, "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."^[53] Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould shared his devastation, calling Margolis "brilliant, funny, a raconteur with a million stories," and affirming, "I miss him already."^[52] Margolis's legacy endures through his nuanced portrayals of complex villains, which added depth to character archetypes in crime dramas and independent films. His role as Hector Salamanca, a wheelchair-bound cartel enforcer who communicated menace through subtle expressions and minimal dialogue, exemplified a restrained yet terrifying villainy that has been recognized as one of television's most memorable.^[54] This performance, relying on nonverbal intensity, influenced depictions of silent, vengeful antagonists in subsequent series, emphasizing psychological menace over overt action.^[55] In independent cinema, his collaborations with Darren Aronofsky across films like Pi (1998) and Requiem for a Dream (2000) showcased his ability to infuse supporting roles with humanity and gravitas, contributing to the raw, introspective style of early 2000s indie storytelling.^[56] Posthumously, Margolis's work has been celebrated in retrospectives of Better Call Saul, where his portrayal of Salamanca is hailed for transforming the character into an "unforgettable" figure through "his eyes, a bell, and very few words," underscoring his lasting cultural impact on the franchise.^[57] Aronofsky reflected on their partnership, describing Margolis as "a force of nature" who "brought a raw intensity and depth to every role he played".^[36]

Filmography

1970s

• 1976: The Opening of Misty Beethoven (uncredited)^[58]
• 1977: Short Eyes as Mr. Morrison^[59]
• 1979: Going in Style as Prison Guard^[60]

1980s

• 1980: Dressed to Kill as Patient at Bellevue Hospital (uncredited)^[61]
• 1980: Christmas Evil as Man #2^[62]
• 1980: A Jury of Her Peers as Mr. Hale^[63]
• 1981: Arthur as Wedding Guest (uncredited)^[64]
• 1983: Scarface as Alberto the Shadow^[65]
• 1983: Eddie Macon's Run as 5:00 Bar Owner^[66]
• 1984: Far from Poland as Adam Zarewski^[67]
• 1984: The Cotton Club as Charlie Workman (uncredited)^[68]
• 1985: The Bedroom Window as Man in Phone Booth^[69]
• 1987: The Secret of My Success (uncredited)^[70]
• 1987: The Rosary Murders as Father Dailey^[71]
• 1988: White Hot as Charlie^[72]
• 1989: Black Rain as Imori^[73]
• 1989: Glory as 10th Connecticut Soldier^[74]

1990s

• 1990: The Bonfire of the Vanities as Detective Goldberg^[75]
• 1990: Descending Angel as DiCadno^[76]
• 1990: Tales from the Darkside: The Movie as Gage (segment "Cat From Hell")^[77]
• 1990: King of New York as Tony^[78]
• 1990: Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection as Gen. Olmedo^[79]
• 1990: Jacob's Ladder as Jacob's Father^[80]
• 1991: The Pit and the Pendulum as Mendoza^[81]
• 1992: 1492: Conquest of Paradise as Bobadilla^[82]
• 1993: Where the Rivers Flow North as Uncle Henry^[83]
• 1994: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective as Shickadance^[84]
• 1994: Squanto: A Warrior's Tale as Brother Daniel^[85]
• 1996: I Shot Andy Warhol as Louis Solanas^[86]
• 1996: The Pallbearer as Mr. Klein^[87]
• 1997: Absolute Power as Red Libbott^[88]
• 1998: Pi as Sol Robeson^[89]
• 1998: Side Streets as Carl^[90]
• 1999: 18 Shades of Dust as Father](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0175281/fullcredits)
• 1999: Flawless as Man in Coffee Shop^[91]
• 1999: The Thomas Crown Affair as Heinrich Knutzhorn^[92]
• 1999: Jakob the Liar as Fajngold^[93]
• 1999: Mickey Blue Eyes as Gene Morgansen^[94]
• 1999: End of Days as Father Kovak^[91]

2000s

• 2000: Dinner Rush as Carmine^[95]
• 2000: Requiem for a Dream as Mr. Rabinowitz^[96]
• 2001: Hardball as Fink^[97]
• 2001: The Tailor of Panama as Frank Tishop's Consular Assistant (uncredited)^[98]
• 2001: Hannibal as John Doe (uncredited)^[99]
• 2002: Bridget as Bruno^[100]
• 2003: Daredevil as Fallon^[101]
• 2004: 2BPerfectlyHonest as Askew^[102]
• 2004: Camp Hollywood as Sal^[103]
• 2004: House of D as Mr. Pappass^[104]
• 2005: Headspace as Mr. Crow^[105]
• 2005: Stay as Bookstore Owner (uncredited)^[106]
• 2006: The Fountain as Father Avila^[107]
• 2007: Gone Baby Gone as Leon Trett^[108]
• 2007: The Girl Next Door as Mr. Moran (uncredited)^[109]
• 2008: Defiance as Jewish Elder^[110]
• 2008: The Wrestler as Lenny^[111]
• 2009: Nobody as Mr. Quinlan^[112]

2010s

• 2010: Black Swan as Mr. Fithian^[113]
• 2010: The Fallen Faithful^[114]
• 2011: Immortals as the New Priest^[115]
• 2011: The Caller as Jimmy^[116]
• 2012: Stand Up Guys as Claphands^[117]
• 2012: The Courier as Stitch^[118]
• 2013: Northern Borders as Abner Kittredge^[119]
• 2014: Noah as Magog^[120]
• 2015: Nasty Baby as Richard^[121]
• 2015: The Abandoned as Jim^[122]
• 2015: You Bury Your Own as Hector^[123]
• 2016: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 as Panos^[124]
• 2016: A Remarkable Life as Wally^[125]
• 2016: One Fall as Walter Grigg Sr.^[126]
• 2017: Valley of Bones as El Papá^[127]
• 2018: Baja as Don Primo^[128]
• 2019: Abe as Grandpa Abe^[129]

2020s

• 2020: All Together Now as Mr. Francis^[130]
• 2020: Minyan as Herschel^[131]
• 2021: No Sudden Move as Joey^[132]
• 2021: Breaking News in Yuba County as Mr. Kriss^[133]
• 2022: Broken Soldier as Grandpa^[134]
• 2022: The Batman as Alberto Falcone^[135]

Television

Margolis began his television career in the early 1980s with guest appearances on soap operas and crime dramas, gradually building a reputation for recurring roles in serialized shows. His early credits include a four-episode stint as Hollis Kirkland III on the daytime soap Ryan's Hope in 1984.^[136] From 1985 to 1989, he portrayed Jimmy, a company operative, in 16 episodes of the crime series The Equalizer, marking one of his first significant recurring roles.^[137] In 1986, Margolis appeared as Harry McKay in a single episode of Spenser: For Hire. He followed this with a guest spot as Dr. Roger Leeds in the 1989 episode "Star Light, Star Bright" of Quantum Leap. The 1990s saw Margolis take on diverse guest roles, including Dr. Nel Apgar in the 1990 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Vengeance Factor". In 1991, he played Helmut Dieter in several episodes of the soap opera Santa Barbara. He also appeared in five episodes of Law & Order across its run from 1992 to 2011, portraying different characters such as George Lobrano (1992), Al Fortuna (1997), Edgar Massey (1999), Cyrus (2005), and Rom-Baro in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2011). Margolis's television presence expanded in the late 1990s and early 2000s with a recurring role as the mobster Antonio Nappa in 10 episodes of HBO's prison drama Oz from 1999 to 2003. Other notable guest spots during this period include Valentine in The Sopranos (2001), Stuart Sloane in The Practice (2002), Mr. No Known Allergies in Sex and the City (2003), and Bob in Without a Trace (2004). In the mid-2000s, he guested as Cahill in the 2005 episode "It Happened One Night" of Crossing Jordan. Margolis played Al Moody, the estranged father of lead character Hank Moody, in the 2007 Californication episode "California Son". He appeared as Samuel Shepherd in two episodes of the biblical drama Kings in 2009. Margolis achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of the wheelchair-bound cartel enforcer Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad from 2009 to 2011, appearing in 9 episodes across seasons 2 through 4. His performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2012.^[138][139] He reprised the role in the prequel series Better Call Saul from 2015 to 2022, appearing in 22 episodes and further developing the character's backstory. During this era, Margolis also had recurring roles as Gianni Moretti, a mafia don, in 3 episodes of Person of Interest (2011–2012), and guest appearances in shows like Blue Bloods (2010, as Sal Russo), The Good Wife (2011, as Judge Ellis Reddin), American Horror Story: Asylum (2012, as Sam Goodman), The Blacklist (2013, as Earl Fagen), and Gotham (2014, as Bob).^[140] Later credits include Saul in Prodigal Son (2019), and Carmine Conti, a mafia boss, in 5 episodes of Your Honor in 2023. He also appeared as Jimmy in the 1987 TV movie Memories of Manon.^[141]

Other Appearances

In addition to his extensive work in film and television, Margolis appeared in Madonna's 1993 music video for "Bad Girl," directed by David Fincher, where he portrayed an uncredited bartender in a narrative depicting the singer as a troubled businesswoman navigating urban nightlife and personal demons.^[142] Margolis ventured into voice acting for video games, providing the voice for the character Tramp, a homeless man encountered in the controversial survival horror title Manhunt (2003), developed by Rockstar Games; his theater background lent a gritty authenticity to the role's desperate and menacing undertones.^[143][144] Later in his career, Margolis returned to the stage in the 2019 off-Broadway revival of Tony Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day at the Wild Project in New York City, playing a supporting role in the play's exploration of artists and activists amid the rise of Nazism in 1930s Berlin.^[10]