Mike Batayeh, an actor and comedian best known for his role on on “Breaking Bad,” has died. He was 52.
Batayeh’s manger Steve Owens said the actor died from a heart attack in his sleep on June 1 and that his funeral service will be held June 17 at Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Michigan.
Batayeh’s agent Arlene Thornton paid tribute to Batayeh in a statement to USA TODAY.
“He was one of our favorite clients as he was a great actor and very funny guy who had fans all around the world,” she said.
Batayeh portrayed manager Dennis Markowski of Gustavo Fring’s (Giancarlo Esposito) Lavanderia Brillante laundromat, a legitimate business front for Walter White’s (Bryan Cranston) meth lab, on the AMC drama series “Breaking Bad.” He appeared on three episodes from 2011 to 2012.
Batayeh’s other television credits included “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Battle Creek,” “CSI: Miami,” “Jessie” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” He also did voiceover work on “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” He was a native of Detroit, according to his IMDb profile.
Batayeh most recently acted in the 2018 television movie “Prank of America.”
Director Rola Nashef honored her friend Batayeh in a tribute posted to Facebook Monday.
“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,” Nashef wrote. “You wanted to see us all win. I still can’t believe this news.”
Nashef continued: “Your sense of humor and your talent for stage, screenwriting, television and film was genius, outrageous and fearless. I pray so much for your sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins and our entire community who will feel your loss forever. Rest in peace dear Mike, you’re my friend always.”
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An obituary for the actor shared on Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Homes’ website encourages people to donate to The Clark Park Coalition Fund in his honor.
“Mike was always passionate about helping youth in the community where he lived and grew up facing similar challenges,” his obituary states.
In addition to acting, Batayeh was also a comedian and shared several clips of his stand-up comedy on his Instagram profile.
He is survived by his great nieces and nephews Ella, Dominic, Olivia, Sophia, Kai, Maze and Codi, per his obituary.
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