Bryan Cranston pays touching tribute to Breaking Bad co-star Mark Margolis

Bryan Cranston has paid tribute to Breaking Bad co-star Mark Margolis following his death aged 83.

Margolis, who starred in both Breaking Bad and its subsequent spin-off Better Call Saul as Hector Salamanca, died on 3 August.

The star passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness.

In a statement, his manager Robert Kolker said: “He was one of a kind. We won’t see his likes again.

“He was a treasured client and a lifelong friend. I was lucky to know him.”

Following the sad news, Cranston took to social media to pay tribute to his friend and co-star, calling him a ‘lovely human being’.

In the post, he wrote: “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.

AMC

“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.”

On social media platform X - formerly Twitter - the official Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul accounts posted the same message, which read: “We join millions of fans in mourning the passing of the immensely talented Mark Margolis, who - with his eyes, a bell, and very few words - turned Hector Salamanca into one of the most unforgettable characters in the history of television. He will be missed.”

Responding to the Better Call Saul account post, actor Bob Odenkirk wrote: “A powerful screen presence!

X

“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.”

Although best known for playing Hector Salamanca - Margolis’ career spanned six decades, and appeared in an array of blockbuster smash-hits including Scarface, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Oz as well as six Darren Aronofsky movies.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter back in 2012, Margolis was asked why Aronofsky kept hiring him, to which he gave the tongue-in-cheek response: "He thinks he has an obligation! I started with him on his first movie, the $60,000 Pi, when he was unknown.

"I chased him for three months because he kept lying to me about when I’d get my money. I finally threatened to call his mother, who was craft services on the film. Then he finally paid me."