Skip to content
MovieCove
Mark Margolis

Mark Margolis

Actor · Died August 3, 2023, aged 83 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Mark Margolis (November 26, 1939 – August 3, 2023) was an American actor, who had been making films since 1976. Margolis went to Temple University briefly before moving to New York City, where he studied drama with Stella Adler and at the Actors Studio. He was perhaps most famous for his supporting roles in Scarface and the films of Darren Aronofsky: π, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, and Black Swan. Aronofsky wrote the role of Father Avila in The Fountain specifically for Margolis. He had recurring roles on numerous TV shows, including The Equalizer, HBO's Oz, Law And Order, Crossing Jordan and most recently Showtime's Californication and Breaking Bad. He also appeared in a first season episode of Quantum Leap. In 1991, he also played Helmut Dieter in soap opera Santa Barbara.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 26, 1939
Died
August 3, 2023 (aged 83)
From
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
100 on MovieCove · 133 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 28% in 30 days

What are Mark Margolis' films like?

Across their 32 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 15th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
21%
Survival
20%
Self
19%
Morality
16%
Society
11%
Ideas
8%
Power
4%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 31 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 9 · Dark 15

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 24 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 13 · Intense 12

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 6

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 21 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 15 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 9 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 13

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 18 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Herald: 4 of 8 analyzed roles.

Herald
4 of 8
Mentor
2 of 8
Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
23
Melancholic
12
Dread
8
Contemplative
8
Hopeful
7
Other
23

How their films linger

Bittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic5
  • Ambiguous13

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mark Margolis' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 79 of their 100 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (34).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mark Margolis' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

133 credits, 100 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Broken Soldier(2022)

    as Grandpa

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Your Honor(2020)

    Show 5 episodes · as Carmine Conti

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Minyan(2020)

    as Itzik

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Abe(2019)

    as Benjamin

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Snowpiercer(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Old Ivan

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Prodigal Son(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Rudolph Swann

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Baja(2018)

    as Don Primo

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Valley of Bones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as El Papa

  • One Fall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Walter Grigg Sr.

  • A Remarkable Life(2016)

    as Landon

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2(2016)

    as Panos

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Nasty Baby(2015)

    as Richard

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • You Bury Your Own(2015)

    as Smith

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Abandoned(2015)

    as Jim

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Better Call Saul(2015)

    Show 22 episodes · as Hector Salamanca

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • 12 Monkeys(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Werner

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Northern Borders(2013)

    as Whiskeyjack

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Constantine(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Felix Faust

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Affair(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Arthur Solloway

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Gotham(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul Cicero

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Noah(2014)

    as Magog (voice)

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Jakov Mitko

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Beneath(2013)

    as Mr. Parks

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Stand Up Guys(2012)

    as Claphands

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Dig (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Heinrich Berger

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Abraham Misraki

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Courier(2012)

    as Stitch

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Immortals(2011)

    as The New Priest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Carl(a) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Grandpa

  • American Horror Story(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sam Goodman

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Person of Interest(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Gianni Moretti

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Fairly Legal(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ian Saunders

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Black Swan(2010)

    as Mr. Fithian / Patron

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Blue Bloods(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Whitey Brennan

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Kings(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Premier Shaw

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Nobody(2009)

    as Professor Hagel

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Defiance(2008)

    as Jewish Elder

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Wrestler(2008)

    as Lenny

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Haber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Bremer

  • Breaking Bad(2008)

    Show 8 episodes · as Tío Salamanca

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Gone Baby Gone(2007)

    as Leon Trett

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Californication(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Al Moody

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Girl Next Door(2007)

    as Homeless Man Hit By Car

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Black Donnellys(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Sal Minetta

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Fountain(2006)

    as Father Avila

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Brotherhood(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Jacob Weiss

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Umney's Last Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Vernon Klein

  • Stay(2005)

    as Bookstore Owner

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Headspace(2005)

    as Boris Pavlovsky

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • House of D(2004)

    as Mr. Pappass

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • 2BPerfectlyHonest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Abrams

  • Particles of Truth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Grandpa Black

  • Daredevil(2003)

    as Fallon (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Infested(2002)

    as Father Morning

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Hack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · as Nicolai Zosimov

  • Angela (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Bridget (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Slim

  • Modern Warriors(2002)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Mario Damiano

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Cahill

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Hardball(2001)

    as Fink

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Queenie in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Spencer

  • Boss of Bosses(2001)

    as Piney Armone

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Tailor of Panama(2001)

    as Rafi Domingo

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Hannibal(2001)

    as Perfume Expert

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • 100 Centre Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Merle Kiefer

  • Starwater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Requiem for a Dream(2000)

    as Mr. Rabinowitz

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Dinner Rush(2000)

    as Fitzgerald

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Fast Food Fast Women(2000)

    as Graham

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Flawless(1999)

    as Vinnie

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • End of Days(1999)

    as Pope

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Bartender (segment "Bad Girl")

  • Now and Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Nicky Vodorgov

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Rom-Baro

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Jakob the Liar(1999)

    as Fajngold

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • 18 Shades of Dust(1999)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Mickey Blue Eyes(1999)

    as Gene Morgansen

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Thomas Crown Affair(1999)

    as Heinrich Knutzhorn

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Above Freezing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mob Boss

  • Side Streets(1998)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Pi(1998)

    as Sol Robeson

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Sex and the City(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Jean Paul Sandal

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Pants on Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Malcolm Preston

  • Trouble on the Corner(1997)

    as Mr. Borofsky

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Oz(1997)

    Show 9 episodes · as Antonio Nappa

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Prince Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard D'Ambrosio

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Absolute Power(1997)

    as Red

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Pallbearer(1996)

    as Philip DeMarco

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • I Shot Andy Warhol(1996)

    as Louis Solanas

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Squanto: A Warrior's Tale(1994)

    as Captain Hunt

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Ace Ventura: Pet Detective(1994)

    as Shickadance

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Where the Rivers Flow North(1993)

    as New York Money

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • 1492: Conquest of Paradise(1992)

    as Bobadilla

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Pit and the Pendulum(1991)

    as Mendoza

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Descending Angel(1990)

    as Bercovici

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Bronson · as Frankie Polito · as George Lobrano

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection(1990)

    as Gen. Olmedo

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Darkside: The Movie(1990)

    as Gage (segment ‘Cat From Hell’)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Glory(1989)

    as 10th Connecticut Soldier

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Adriano

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Memories of Manon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Jimmy

  • White Hot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as The Tin Man

  • Lady Mobster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Peter Colicos

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Nel Apgar

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Jake and the Fatman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Miracola

  • The Rosary Murders(1987)

    as Father Max

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Almost Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Kristopholous

  • The Secret of My Success(1987)

    as Maintenence Man

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Bedroom Window(1987)

    as Man in Phone Booth

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Doubletake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Janitor

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 16 episodes · as Jimmy

  • I Want to Go Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Cab Driver

  • The Cotton Club(1984)

    as Charlie Workman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Far from Poland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Adam Zarewski

  • Scarface(1983)

    as Shadow

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Eddie Macon's Run(1983)

    as 5:00 Bar Owner

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Rage of Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ricky

  • Diner(1982)

    as Earl Mager

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Muggable Mary, Street Cop(1982)

    as Sgt. Meyers

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Avenging (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Pedro Quintana

  • Arthur(1981)

    as Wedding Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Evil(1980)

    as Man #2

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Dressed to Kill(1980)

    as Patient at Bellvue Hospital (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • A Jury of Her Peers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Mr. Hale

  • Going in Style(1979)

    as Prison Guard

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Other Side of Victory(1979)

    as Jemmy

  • Short Eyes(1977)

    as Mr. Morrison

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Opening of Misty Beethoven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Unhappy Guy on Plane (uncredited)

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as First Gunman · as Gunman

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Columbo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Cosner

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 132 titles from 1971 to 2022; peak year 1999.

Biggest box office

Noah (2014)

$359M worldwide

Highest rated

Better Call Saul (2015)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19712022

Peak 1999 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1976Screen debut· The Opening of Misty Beethoven
  • 1998Career best· Pi

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting132 of 132: 132 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1970s6 · acting1980s26 · acting1990s30 · acting2000s36 · acting2010s29 · acting2020s5 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 45 roles
768696010611

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Mark Margolis' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52nd percentile, the median of the 69 of 70 with a score; across their 31 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Midcredits score across 99 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up41
  • 50th to 74th26
  • 25th to 49th21
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

48 of their 99 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved18
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser48
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed22

Most divisive · actor

Baja (2018)

93rd percentile spread · 36% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Better Call Saul (2015)

Midcredits 99th · 96% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 26 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Mark Margolis' work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles67–88 · median 75 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles12–71 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles23–85 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles17–68 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles54–86 · median 72 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Mark Margolis work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mark Margolis' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Darren Aronofsky shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles