Actor Angel Salazar, best known for his role as Chi-Chi in the 1983 hit film “Scarface,” has died at the age of 68.
Salazar “died in his sleep over the weekend at a friend’s home in Brooklyn,” his agent, Ann Wingson, said. Confirmed by TMZ.
A friend went to check on the actor on Sunday morning and discovered his body in his bed.
An official cause of death has not been released, but Wingson said Salazar had been suffering from several heart conditions.
Born in 1956, the actor landed the role of Chi-Chi, sidekick to Al Pacino’s iconic Tony Montana, early in his career.
The gangster film also stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Montana’s mistress and future wife, Elvira Hancock, and Steven Bauer as Montana’s criminal partner, Manny Rivera.
The film quickly became a cult hit and earned Pacino a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.
Salazar also appeared in several other films, including the 1980 film “Where the Buffalo Roam,” the 1982 film “A Stranger is Watching,” and the 1984 film “The Wild Life.”
The following year he appeared in Sylvester and the 1988 film Punchline, before appearing in another 1993 hit film starring Pacino, Carlitos’ Way.
Salazar also appeared in several television shows, including “On Our Own,” “The New $treetz Seriez,” “Jersey Mafia Chronicles” and “In Living Color.”
The actor also boasts a background in stand-up comedy and has appeared in a number of HBO comedy specials.
He is best known for coining the catchphrase “Sheck it out!”
Salazar also secured a recurring role on the NBC series “Last Comic Standing.”
His final performance was earlier this month at the Silver Legacy Resort & Casino in Reno, Las Vegas. Salazar performed from August 1-4.
Following the news of the actor’s death, many friends and fellow comedians flooded social media to pay tribute.
Recording artist Tito Puente wrote, “Rest in peace Angel Salazar ‘Chichi’. You were a great actor and a good friend, Hermano. From Scarface to Carlitos Way, your characters and comedy will be forever missed.”
Meanwhile, actress Cadrorsha Ona Carroll wrote, “I just got home from filming to find out that my dear friend Angel Salazar has passed away. Angel and I worked together for many years.”
“I will miss his antics and bright laugh. I am so sad. I love you my friend. Rest in peace,” she added.
Comedian Auggie Smith wrote, “Rest in peace to Angel Salazar. I saw him perform at the Icehouse one night and he was on a roll for the entire 90 minutes, starting right after I ate it. I wanted to blame the audience for my performance but Angel made that impossible.”
“Rest in peace to my friend Angel Salazar. I worked with him a few months ago. A legend in the comedy world,” comedian Adam Hunter wrote.
