Salazar was found unresponsive on his friend’s bathroom floor on Sunday morning.
Comedian and actor Ángel Salazar, known for his roles in the cult classic films “Scarface” and “Carlito’s Way,” has died unexpectedly at the age of 68.
Salazar died on Sunday morning while staying at a friend’s residence in Brooklyn, New York, the actor’s longtime representative, Roger Paul, told The Epoch Times via phone.
He was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor by his friend after going to take a shower.
Although an official cause of death has not yet been determined, Paul said Salazar had previously been diagnosed with an enlarged heart. The condition, known as cardiomegaly, is typically a sign of an underlying health issue, such as heart disease or damage to the heart, per the
Mayo Clinic.
“We’re all at a loss for words,” said Paul, who had known Salazar for the past two decades. “We all loved Ángel.”
Paul said Salazar was “the total life of the party” and that “everybody’s got a great story about him.”
Remembering Ángel Salazar
Born on March 2, 1956, Salazar appeared in several minor roles throughout the late ‘70s and early ’80s, including in the 1979 thriller “Boulevard Nights” and the 1980 comedy-drama “Where the Buffalo Roam”—the latter of which starred Bill Murray and the late Peter Boyle.Salazar went on to land his breakthrough role in the 1983 crime drama “Scarface,” portraying the character Chi Chi alongside Al Pacino, who played Miami drug kingpin Tony Montana.
Salazar’s subsequent movie credits include parts in 1984’s “The Wild Life,” 1985’s “Sylvester,” 1988’s “Hot to Trot,” 1988’s “Punchline,” and 1990’s “Maniac Cop 2,” per his IMDb
webpage. In 1993, the actor starred in the crime thriller “Carlito’s Way,” once again starring opposite Al Pacino. The film also featured actors Sean Penn, Luis Guzmán, and John Leguizamo.
According to his IMDb page, Salazar also has a slew of projects that have yet to be released, including “Call Me Mr. Nelson,” “Tapping Out,” “Saving Little Italy,” “Pay to Die,” and “3 Days Rising,” among many others.
In addition to his acting career, Salazar was a successful comic, most recently helming the stage at The Laugh Factory comedy club in Reno, Nevada, earlier in August.
Reflecting on the actor and comedian’s legacy, Paul said he hoped Salazar’s propensity for making people laugh will always be remembered.
“He would tell his stories—his comedy, his routines—he just had a way of bringing the best out of people,” Paul said. “He was just one of those guys that would make you laugh. The kind of guy you just want in your corner.”
Tributes Pour In
Salazar’s death elicited an outpouring of heartfelt messages and tributes on social media.Fellow comedian Adam Hunter took to X to express his condolences over the loss of his friend,
calling Salazar a “comedy legend.”
Comedian Kevin Garifo shared a similar sentiment.
“Very sorry to hear about the passing of Angel Salazar,” Garifo
wrote online. “Most know him from Scarface, but he was a tremendous comic who was a very kind dude and a pleasure to work with. Rest easy dude.”
Musician Tito Puente Jr.
wrote: “Rest in peace Angel Salazar ‘chichi’ you were an amazing actor and good friend hermano. From scarface to carlito’s way your characters and comedy will be forever missed.”
Filmmaker Martine Emile
posted on X that it was her first time on a movie set when she was introduced to Salazar in December 2014.
“I’m so grateful I got a chance to work with him over the past nine years,” Emile said. “R.I.P Angel Salazar.”
Actress Kadrolsha Ona Carole also paid tribute to Salazar on X.
“Got home from filming to find out my dear close friend Angel Salazar passed away,” she
wrote. “Angel and I worked together for years. I will miss his silly antics and cheerful laughter. Super sad. Love you my friend. May you rest in peace.”
