Mark Margolis, the Emmy-nominated actor best known for his portrayal of Hector "Tio" Salamanca in the critically acclaimed series "Breaking Bad," has passed away at the age of 83. His son, Morgan Margolis, confirmed the news on Friday, stating that his father had succumbed to a brief illness at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Born in Philadelphia, Margolis began his acting career in the late 1970s, landing supporting roles in various productions. His breakthrough came in 1983 when he starred opposite Al Pacino in "Scarface," playing the role of Alberto the Shadow, a Bolivian henchman. This role marked the beginning of Margolis' affinity for playing mob-inspired characters, a niche he would continue to explore throughout his career.

In the 1990s, Margolis continued to captivate audiences with his performances in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" alongside Jim Carrey, and as mob boss Antonio Nappa on HBO's "Oz" from 1998 to 2003. However, it was his role as the notorious drug kingpin Hector "Tio" Salamanca on "Breaking Bad" that solidified his place in pop culture history.

In "Breaking Bad," Margolis shared the screen with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, delivering a performance that earned him an Emmy nomination. His character, "Tio" Salamanca, was a man of few words, communicating primarily through the chilling ring of his bell. Margolis' portrayal was so impactful that he reprised his role in the show's successful spin-off, "Better Call Saul."

Despite his extensive career, Margolis often spoke fondly of his time on "Breaking Bad," particularly the unique challenge of playing a character who was essentially mute. In a 2012 interview with The Post, he said, "People, even Bryan [Cranston] said to me, ‘Is it more difficult because you couldn’t speak?’ and it really wasn’t. We respond to things in our lives [with our faces] and we only use words when we need them. Sometimes you’ll respond to someone with a look if they say something stupid. I just let it happen inside and my face went with it."

Mark Margolis' passing is a significant loss to the entertainment industry. His contributions to film and television, particularly his iconic role in "Breaking Bad," will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.