Salazar died in his sleep over the weekend at a friend’s home in Brooklyn, as confirmed by his representative and close friend, Ann Wingsong.
Wingsong reported that Salazar was found deceased in bed on Sunday morning when his friend went to check on him. The exact cause of death has not been revealed, though Salazar had been struggling with heart issues.
Salazar’s portrayal of Chi Chi in the 1983 Brian De Palma-directed Scarface is one of his most memorable roles.
In the film, Chi Chi is a devoted henchman to Tony Montana, played by Pacino. Fans recall Chi Chi’s courage during the infamous “chainsaw scene” and his tragic fate when he is gunned down by assassins.
In addition to his role in Scarface, Salazar enjoyed a successful acting career, appearing with Tom Hanks in the 1988 dramedy Punchline and reuniting with Pacino in the 1993 drama Carlito’s Way. He was also a celebrated comedian, known for his HBO comedy specials and his appearance on Last Comic Standing.
Salazar’s other notable film credits include Boulevard Nights, Walk Proud, Hot to Trot, and Maniac Cop 2. Ángel Salazar was 68 years old.
