Mike Batayeh, a comedian and actor who has appeared in several television shows, including the acclaimed hit “Breaking Bad,” has died, his family announced. He was 52 years old.
Batayeh died of a “massive heart attack” at her home on June 1, her five sisters said in a statement to CBS News on Friday. His manager told CBS News that he died in his sleep.
“She was a kind, sensitive, intelligent, and gifted soul,” Batayeh’s sisters said. “This is a tremendous loss of a great life and Mike will be missed by us and by so many people in all parts of the world.”
“Breaking Bad” fans know Batayeh as Dennis Markowski, the manager of an industrial laundromat that serves as a front for a meth lab on the award-winning starring show. Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn and Aaron Paul. Batayeh played the role for three episodes in Season Nos. 4 and 5, according to IMDb.
Batayeh has appeared in several other TV shows, including “CSI: Miami,” “JAG” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” He also appeared in the Adam Sandler film “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.”
As a comedian, Batayeh has performed in the US as well as the Middle East, and was in a comedy special for Showtime Arabia, according to his sisters’ statement. He also performed at a comedy festival in the Jordanian capital Amman at the invitation of the Jordanian royal family, according to the statement.
He was preceded in death by his sister Jeannie, and his parents.
