Mike Batayeh, actor and comedian best known for his role in “Breaking Bad” as the manager of Gus’s famous laundromat, has died. He was 52 years old.
Batayeh died June 1 of a heart attack in his sleep at his home in Michigan, his family said in a statement.
“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that my sisters and I announce the passing of our beloved brother,” his family said. “He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many.”
Batayeh starred in three episodes of AMC’s “Breaking Bad” as Dennis Markowski, manager of the Lavanderia Brillante laundromat, which served as a meth lab for Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
Throughout his acting career, Batayeh made appearances on shows such as “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Sleeper Cell,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Boy Meets World” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
He starred in films such as Paul Weitz’s “American Dreamz”, “Don’t Mess with the Zohan”, “Gas” and played the lead role of Mike in the 2012 film “Detroit Unleaded”.
In his career as a comedian, Batayeh performed and headlined at notable comedy clubs such as Gotham in New York and the Laugh Factory, Comedy Store, Improv and Icehouse in Los Angeles.
Batayeh became one of the first American comedians to perform for local audiences in the Middle East. He performed in Dubai, where he filmed a special for Showtime Arabia, as well as Egypt, Lebanon, Nazareth and Jordan. Batayeh was invited two years in a row by the Jordanian royal family to perform at the Amman International Comedy Festival.
Batayeh was born in Detroit. A celebration of life service will be held at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home in Plymouth, Michigan on June 16 at 2:00 p.m.
