Scarface and Carlito’s Way Star Dies at 68

Ángel Salazar, famously known for his role as “Chi-Chi” in the cult classic Scarface, has passed away at the age of 68.

The actor’s death occurred over the weekend at a friend’s residence in Brooklyn, New York. His representative and close friend Ann Wingsong confirmed the news to TMZ, noting that while Salazar had experienced heart issues in the past, the exact cause of his death remains undetermined.

Wingsong revealed that Salazar was found in his sleep by the friend who went to check on him on Sunday morning, August 11.

Born in 1956, the Cuban-American actor first made his mark as “Chi-Chi” in Brian DePalma’s Scarface in 1983. The role cemented his place in Hollywood, and he continued to appear in notable films such as Punchline alongside Tom Hanks in 1988 and Carlito’s Way in 1993.

Salazar’s career spanned decades, with significant roles in movies almost every year following his Scarface breakthrough. His filmography includes Boulevard Nights, Sylvester, and Maniac Cop 2. This year, he was set to appear in The Brooklyn Premiere. In addition to his film work, Salazar made several television appearances, including a notable spot on Showtime at the Apollo in 1992.

Beyond acting, Salazar found success as a comedian. He performed in a range of HBO comedy specials and appeared on programs such as Last Comic Standing.

Fans, however, are likely to remember Salazar most for his portrayal of Tony Montana’s loyal sidekick in Scarface. His character, Chi-Chi, saved Montana in the film’s notorious “chainsaw scene,” where Montana’s life was nearly taken in a gruesome manner.

Unfortunately, Chi-Chi’s story ends tragically when he is killed by a hit squad sent by drug kingpin Alejandro Sosa, his body riddled with bullets. This memorable character even impacted the music world, with G-Unit’s Tony Yayo naming his rap persona after a line from the movie where Montana tells Chi-Chi to “get the yayo,” a term for cocaine.

Although Scarface did not achieve immediate success upon its release, it has since become a cult favorite. The Independent’s Geoffrey McNab remarked on the film’s enduring influence, writing, “Forty years on, Scarface stands as one of the most influential films of its era. TV dramas like Miami Vice and Narcos owe it an obvious debt – as do countless other drug-fueled gangster movies. And early critics be damned, Tony Montana is almost certainly Pacino’s most celebrated performance.”