He was 83.

He passed away in a New York City hospital on Thursday after a short illness, his son said in a statement as quoted by BBC.

Born in Philadelphia, his performance in Breaking Bad was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2012.

He regularly performed in the films of director Darren Aronofsky, appearing in his first six films beginning with Pi (1998).

He was also known for playing Alberto "The Shadow" in Scarface and Antonio Nappa in Oz.

The official Facebook page of Breaking Bad posted following the death of the actor: " 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."