Actor Mike Batayeh, best known for his role in Breaking Bad as laundromat manager Dennis Markowski, had died aged 52.
Batayeh died in his sleep of a heart attack on June 1 in his Michigan home, his family confirmed to The New York Post. They added that his death was very sudden, considering he did not have a history of heart issues.
“He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many,” a statement from his family to TMZ read.
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Batayeh is survived by his five siblings, Ida, Diane, MaryAnn, Madeline and Theresa, as well as his many nieces and nephews, according to his online obituary.
A celebration of life service will be held for the late actor on June 16 in Plymouth, Michigan, with his funeral taking place the day after.
“Mike was always passionate about helping youth in the community where he lived and grew up facing similar challenges,” reads his obituary.
His family is asking for mourners to donate to the Clark Park Coalition fund to support Southwest Detroit youth in Batayeh’s name.
Friends and family have left tributes for the late actor, with fellow comedian and Batayeh’s “best friend” Steven Lolli reacting to his death on Twitter.
“Mike Batayeh was one of my 1st & best friends in comedy in LA & a great comedian. He played Dennis in #BreakingBad of course. No matter how successful, he always included friends. Class act. Ask God to please go easy on us Jews, Mike. It will be a great favor coming from you RIP,” he wrote.
Director and friend Rola Nashef wrote on Facebook: “A devastating loss of a huge life – Mike Batayeh, you were everybody’s friend. 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 wanted to see us all win… Your sense of humor and your talent for stage, screenwriting, television and film was genius, outrageous and fearless.”
Another friend, Yorg Kerasiotis, added: “You were the superstar we always admired and one of the funniest men I’ve ever known.”
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Before his death, Batayeh was trying his hand at comedy, uploading videos of his sets to his Instagram page. Fans took to the posts to express their condolences.
“I just heard… Save me a spot at the table in the pool hall, my friend,” wrote one.
“Will miss you so much! Heartbroken, [I’m] glad that we had the chance to meet and wish I knew you more. Praying for your family,” one added.
Batayeh played Dennis Markowski, the manager of Lavandería Brillante industrial laundromat in three episodes of the hit show Breaking Bad from 2011 to 2012.
The laundromat, owned by Gustavo Fring, served as a disguise for the meth lab where Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul) developed their product.
The actor also made appearances over the years in The Bernie Mac Show, Boy Meets World, CSI: Miami, and more.
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