{{Short description|American actor (1970–2023)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael Batayeh | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing brackets --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1970|12|27}} | birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.<ref name="auto1"></ref> | death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|6|1|1970|12|27}} | death_place = Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S. | occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|Actor}} | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = ''Breaking Bad'' }}
'''Michael Anthony Batayeh''' (December 27, 1970 – June 1, 2023) was an American comedian and actor. He played Dennis Markowski, the manager of the industrial laundromat that was a coverup for a meth lab in ''Breaking Bad''.
== Career == Batayeh attended Wayne State University before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. He appeared in ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' and ''The Bernie Mac Show''. His most prominent role came as Dennis Markowski in the hit series ''Breaking Bad''.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/arts/television/michael-batayeh-dead.html|title=Michael Batayeh, Comedian and 'Breaking Bad' Actor, Dies at 52|first=Lauren|last=McCarthy|work=The New York Times |date=June 10, 2023|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
== Personal life == Batayeh was born to Jordanian Orthodox Christian parents. His father was a factory worker for Ford Motor Company. During his time in acting, Batayeh divided his time between California, and Michigan.<ref name="auto1"/>
== Death == On June 1, 2023, Batayeh was found dead in his home by Pittsfield Township police in Ypsilanti, Michigan at age 52. His sister, Ida Vergalla, claimed that he had died of a heart attack.<ref name="auto1"/> However, a report by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's Office found that he died by "asphyxiation by hanging", and that his death was a possible suicide. 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".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2023/06/12/breaking-bad-actor-mike-batayehs-cause-of-death-revealed/|title='Breaking Bad' actor Mike Batayeh's cause of death revealed|date=June 13, 2023}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{imdbname|2099399}}
{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Batayeh, Michael}} Category:1970 births Category:2023 deaths Category:American male comedians Category:American male actors Category:Comedians from Detroit Category:Suicides by hanging in Michigan Category:2023 suicides Category:Male suicides Category:Actors and actresses who died by suicide
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