Mike Batayeh, a comedian and actor who played laundromat manager Dennis Markowski in “Breaking Bad,” has died, his manager confirmed.
He was 52.
The news was first reported by TMZ, citing Batayeh’s sister, who told the outlet her brother suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Michigan on June 1.
“He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many,” Batayeh’s family said in a statement.
His TV credits over the years include appearances in “CSI: Miami,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
He appeared in multiple episodes of “Breaking Bad” in 2011 and 2012.
A memorial service is planned for Batayeh in Plymouth, Michigan next week, according to his manager.
Batayeh appeared in three episodes of the AMC hit drama series Breaking Bad in 2011 – the series ran between 2008 and 2013.
In the show, Batayeh was known as Dennis Markowski, the manager of Lavandería Brillante industrial laundromat – a notorious coverup for a massive meth lab operation.
Batayeh was also a comedian and voice actor.
Throughout his career, he made appearances in multiple movies including American Dreamz and Detroit Unleaded, and on
TV shows including The Bernie Mac Show and CSI: Miami.
He also had a voice acting role in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Batayeh is survived by five siblings and a large extended family.
Colleagues and co-stars paid tribute to him.
“A devastating loss of a huge life – Mike Batayeh, you were everybody’s friend,” Hollywood director and friend Rola Nashef wrote on Facebook.
“And I mean everybody. There isn’t a person that I introduced you to or a waitress that took our order whom you didn’t make laugh, think, inspire, and root for.”
“You were the superstar we always admired and one of the funniest men I’ve ever known,” wrote Yorg Kerasiotis, Batayeh’s co-star on Detroit Unleaded, “please rest in peace“.
By Agencies