Mike Batayeh was an actor and comedian best known for playing the manager of Gus’ famed laundry in the hit television series “Breaking Bad.” He passed away. He was 52. Variety reports that Batayeh’s family told them he passed away on June 1 after suffering a heart attack while resting at his Michigan home.
His family said, “It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that my sisters and I announce the passing of our dear brother. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many.” According to Variety, a memorial service will take place on June 16 at 2 p.m. at the Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home in Plymouth, Michigan.
In three episodes of AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” Batayeh played Dennis Markowski, the manager of the laundromat Lavanderia Brillante, which also doubled as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman’s meth factory.
During his acting career, Batayeh had appearances on shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Sleeper Cell,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Boy Meets World,” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” He played Mike in the 2012 movie “Detroit Unleaded” and co-starred in Paul Weitz’s “American Dreamz,” “Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” “Gas,” and “Gas.”
The actor has headlined and performed at renowned comedy clubs including Gotham in New York and the Laugh Factory, Comedy Store, Improv, and Icehouse in Los Angeles.
One of the first American comedians to perform for audiences in the Middle East was him. In addition to shooting a Showtime Arabia special in Dubai, Batayeh also performed in Dubai, Egypt, Lebanon, Nazareth, and Jordan. Two years in a row, the Jordanian royal family asked Batayeh to perform at the Amman International Comedy Festival.
