Bryan Cranston pays heartwarming tribute to late Breaking Bad costar Mark Margolis

Bryan Cranston has paid tribute to his Breaking Bad co-star, Mark Margolis.

The 83-year-old passed away on Thursday (3 August) after a short illness, leaving fans of the franchise devastated.

Upon hearing the news, Cranston shared a heart-warming post about the late actor calling him a ‘lovely human’.

Posting on his Instagram page, the touching tribute included photos of Margolis during his time on the hit AMC series as well as it’s spin-off, Better Call Saul.

Cranston then told fans that he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news as he reflected on their time working together on Breaking Bad.

The 67-year-old wrote: “Mark Margolis was a really good actor and a lovely human being. Fun and engaging off the set, and (in the case of Breaking Bad and Your Honor) intimidating and frightening on set.”

He continued, recalling the late actor’s sense of humour on set and their friendship.

“His quiet energy belied his mischievous nature and curious mind… And he loved sharing a good joke,” the caption read.

“I miss him already. Rest now, Mark and thank you for your friendship and your exceptional body of work.”

Margolis initially starred alongside Cranston in Breaking Bad, appearing as former drug kingpin Hector ‘Tio’ Salamanca in season 2.

Despite his character being unable to speak or walk following a stroke, he was an instant hit with fans and even received an Emmy nomination for the role.

Though Margolis would later reprise his role in Better Call Saul from season 2 onwards, the actor remained very humble about his place in the franchise.

He previously told The Hollywood Reporter: “I was only coming onto Breaking Bad as far as I knew for that one episode, but there’s no accounting for taste, and the fans took a fancy to me."

"Somebody asked me recently, ‘How did you manage to play such a horrible guy?’ and I said, ‘Have you talked to my friends?’ They’ll tell you I’m pretty miserable to begin with,” he then joked.

It’s even more impressive when you consider that Margolis also starred alongside Al Pacino in 1983’s iconic film, Scarface.

However, he would describe himself as a ‘journeyman actor’, telling fans: "Truth to tell, six months after Scarface, I had to take a job with a real estate development friend for a few months just to get by.”

Whilst he might not have seen his brilliance, fans will undoubtedly miss the actor who passed away in New York earlier this week .