Bryan Cranston shares emotional tribute to Breaking Bad co-star Mark Margolis after his death: ‘I miss him already’

Bryan Cranston shared an emotional post on Instagram on Friday paying tribute to his friend and Breaking Bad and Your Honor co-star Mark Margolis.

Cranston, 67, shared a set of two images on Instagram, stating in his poignant caption that he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Margolis on Thursday, August 3.

Mark Margolis was a very good actor and a lovely person. Fun and engaging off set, and (in the case of Breaking Bad and Your Honor) intimidating and frightening on set,” Cranston wrote.

“His quiet energy belies his mischievous nature and inquisitive spirit… And he loved to share a good joke. I miss him already. Rest now, Mark, and thank you for your friendship and your exceptional body of work.’

The first photo of the Oscar-nominated actor’s Instagram post was a solo shot of Margolis from Your Honor, while the second photo was of Breaking Bad.

Reminder: ‘Mark Margolis was a really good actor and a lovely human being,’ Cranston wrote, adding, ‘I miss him already’

Margolis and Cranston formed a friendship after the former starred opposite the latter on seasons two through four of the hit AMC series Breaking Bad.

The show stars Cranston as protagonist Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher suffering from stage three lung cancer, who leads a life of crime by producing and distributing methamphetamine to secure his family’s financial future before he dies.

Meanwhile, Margolis played Hector “Tio” Salamanca, a former drug kingpin who was unable to speak or walk after a stroke.

Both would later reprise their roles in Better Call Saul, the Breaking Bad spin-off series, with Maroglis making cameo appearances from seasons two to six, while Cranston appeared in two episodes (including the series finale) of the show’s final season.

The two would later reunite to work on the Showtime crime series, Your Honor, which ran for two seasons from 2020 to 2023.

After a short illness, Margolis passed away on Thursday, August 3 at the age of 83 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

The veteran actor, who had hundreds of roles in film, television and stage during his decades-long career, had his wife of 61-year-old Jacqueline and his son (and only child) Morgan at his bedside.

In addition to his TV roles in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Your Honour, Margolis’ most famous film role was as Alberto “The Shadow” in the 1983 film Scarface, where he starred opposite Al Pacino.

Breaking Bad: He shared two snaps of the actor in his post including a scene of them in Breaking Bad where they first teamed up and formed their friendship

Tributes pour in: Bob Odenkirk, who worked with both Cranston and Margolis on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, was also among the Hollywood A-listers who paid tribute to the late veteran actor on social media

Iconic role: Margolis famously played the role of Hector ‘Tio’ Salamanca, a former drug lord who was unable to speak or walk after suffering a stroke, but communicated with a service bell taped to his wheelchair

RIP: Margolis, passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City on Thursday, August 3 at age 83 due to a short illness

Cranston wasn’t the only notable Hollywood A-lister to pay tribute to the late Margolis on social media.

Bob Odenkirk, who worked with both Cranston and Margolis on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, penned an emotional tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter.

‘A powerful presence on the screen! 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 called out. Thank you, Mark, and condolences to your family,” Odenkirk wrote.

Oscar-nominated director Darren Aronfsky also paid tribute to Margolis, who appeared in five of Aronfsky’s films, including his feature debut Pi, by tweeting a photo of Margolis in his 2006 film The Fountain with a quote from Margolis’s character in Pi.

“Once you lose your scientific rigor you are no longer a mathematician, YOU ARE A NUMEROLOGIST!” Aronfsky, who also added to the quote “MARK MARGOLIS LEGEND!” listed on X.