Ángel Salazar, known for his role as Al Pacino‘s sidekick Chi Chi in “Scarface,” sadly passed away due to acute intoxication from substance use, including cocaine, TMZ has reported.
An official from the NY Chief Medical Examiner’s office informed TMZ that Salazar’s demise resulted from the combined effects of cocaine, cyclobenzaprine—a muscle relaxant—and diphenhydramine, an antihistamine. Additionally, arteriosclerosis and hypertensive cardiovascular disease were cited as contributing factors in the actor’s passing.
In light of these findings, the Medical Examiner classified Salazar’s death as accidental.
This update surfaces more than two months after the “Scarface” icon was discovered dead at a friend’s residence in Brooklyn, where it appears he had passed away in his sleep.
At the moment of discovery, the cause of death was unclear, although his representative informed TMZ that the actor had previously battled heart-related issues.
Salazar secured his memorable “Scarface” role early in his career, making a significant impression in a scene where his character meets a grim fate in front of Al Pacino’s Tony Montana.
After his breakthrough performance in “Scarface,” Salazar went on to star alongside Tom Hanks in the 1988 dramedy, “Punchline,” and reunited with Pacino in Brian De Palma‘s 1993 crime drama “Carlito’s Way.”
Although his filmography is rich with dramas, Salazar also gained recognition as a celebrated stand-up comedian, appearing in numerous HBO comedy specials.
Interestingly, Salazar was working on an indie spin-off to “Scarface” prior to his passing, as revealed by director Eric Spade Rivas in an August interview with TMZ.
The film, titled “The Brooklyn Premiere,” was intended to follow a director as he navigates producing a comedic parody of “Scarface” during a midlife crisis. Notably, fellow ‘Scarface’ actor Steven Bauer was also planned to participate in the film.
Salazar was 69 years old at the time of his passing.
Rest in peace.