Michael Anthony Batayeh (December 27, 1970 – June 1, 2023) was an American comedian and actor. He was best known for his role as Dennis Markowski, the manager of the industrial laundromat that was a coverup for a meth lab in ''

Breaking Bad ''Breaking Bad'' is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows Walter White ( Bryan Cranston), an underpaid, overqualified, and dispirited ...

''.

Career

Batayeh attended

Wayne State University Wayne State University (WSU) is a public research university in Detroit, Michigan. It is Michigan's third-largest university. Founded in 1868, Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering approximately 350 programs to nearly 25,000 ...

before dropping out and moving to

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...

to pursue a career in acting. Batayeh appeared in ''

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' is an American sitcom created by Rob McElhenney and developed by McElhenney and Glenn Howerton that premiered on August 4, 2005 on FX and later FXX beginning with the ninth season in 2013. It stars Charlie ...

'' and ''

The Bernie Mac Show ''The Bernie Mac Show'' (often shortened to ''Bernie Mac'' in syndication) is an American sitcom television series created by Larry Wilmore, that aired on Fox for five seasons from November 14, 2001 to April 14, 2006. The series featured Berni ...

''. His most prominent role came as Dennis Markowski in the hit series ''

''.

Personal life

Batayeh was born to

Jordanian American Jordanian Americans () are Americans who are descended from the Jordanian people. In 2014, the American Community Survey reported that there were 80,120 Jordanian Americans in the United States. History Pre-1967 The history of the Jordanian ...

parents. His father was a factory worker for

Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobiles ...

. During his time in acting, Batayeh divided his time between California, and Michigan.

Death

On June 1, 2023, Batayeh was found dead in his home by Pittsfield Township police in

Ypsilanti, Michigan Ypsilanti (), commonly shortened to Ypsi, is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 20,648. The city is bounded to the north by Superior Township and on the west, south, an ...

at age 52. Batayeh's sister, Ida Vergalla, claimed that Batayeh died of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which m ...

. However, a report by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's Office claimed Batayeh died by "

asphyxiation Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen to the body which arises from abnormal breathing. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and organs. There are many circumstances that can ...

by hanging", and that his death was a possible

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and ...

. His family stated, "He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and his great ability to bring laughter and joy to so many".

References

External links

* 1970 births 2023 deaths American male comedians American male actors Comedians from Detroit Suicides by hanging in Michigan {{US-tv-actor-stub