Emmy-nominated actor Mark Margolis, who played murderous former drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in 鈥淏reaking Bad鈥� and then in the prequel 鈥淏etter Call Saul,鈥� has died at age 83.

The actor died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, according to a statement from his son, Morgan Margolis.

Margolis was nominated for an Emmy in 2012 for 鈥淏reaking Bad,鈥� for outstanding guest actor, as Salamanca, the elderly don of his drug clan who was unable to speak or walk due to a stroke. Much of his character鈥檚 backstory later played out on 鈥淏etter Call Saul,鈥� the prequel in which he guest-starred from 2016 to 2022.

Margolis also was known for many film roles, particularly in the films of Darren Aronofsky: 鈥淣oah,鈥� 鈥淏lack Swan,鈥� 鈥淭he Wrestler鈥� and 鈥淧i.鈥� He also played Alberto 鈥淭he Shadow鈥� in 鈥淪carface.鈥� Other film roles included 鈥淭he Thomas Crown Affair,鈥� 鈥淕one Baby Gone,鈥� and 鈥淪tand Up Guys.鈥�

Margolis was born in Philadelphia in 1939 and studied acting in New York City with noted teacher Stella Adler. Focusing on the stage in his early career, he appeared in dozens of shows off-Broadway, including at the Public Theater in New York, and on Broadway in 鈥淚nfidel Caesar,鈥� based on Shakespeare鈥檚 鈥淛ulius Caesar.鈥� He founded Blue Dome, a touring theater troupe.

Margolis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jacqueline Margolis, and his son Morgan, who is CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment. The family plans to have a private memorial and funeral.