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Ángel Salazar, the Cuban-born actor and stand-up comedian best known for playing Chi Chi in Scarface (1983), died at 68 on August 11, 2024. Early reports said his cause of death had not yet been disclosed. In October, reporting attributed a medical examiner’s finding to a representative of New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner: Salazar died from acute intoxication involving three substances, and his death was ruled accidental.
What was Ángel Salazar’s cause of death?
On October 24, 2024, TMZ reported that a representative of New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner attributed Salazar’s death to acute intoxication from the combined effects of cocaine, cyclobenzaprine, and diphenhydramine. Arteriosclerosis and hypertensive cardiovascular disease were listed as contributing factors, and the death was ruled accidental. TMZ’s report is the basis for these later details; it attributes them to an office representative rather than reproducing the underlying medical-examiner record. [c002]
![Scarface (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OW6QGg6VL._SL160_.jpg)
![Scarface (1983) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-HX6EuvlL._SL160_.jpg)
What was reported when he died?
Salazar’s representative confirmed his death in August 2024. RTÉ reported on August 12 that he had died over the preceding weekend at a friend’s home in Brooklyn. Representative Ann Wingsong said he “passed away in his sleep” and had suffered heart issues. RTÉ’s report also gives his age as 68. [c001]
Contemporary coverage said no official cause had been disclosed at that point. That was the information available in the first reports, not the final reported finding: the later medical-examiner attribution came in October. USA TODAY’s August report confirmed his death through representative Roger Paul. [c003] [c005]
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![Scarface (1983) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51f-nRO2Z9L._SL160_.jpg)
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Who was Ángel Salazar in Scarface?
Salazar played Chi Chi, a close associate of Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, in Brian De Palma’s 1983 crime film Scarface. The role brought him to a wide film audience. He later appeared with Pacino in Carlito’s Way (1993), and played Rico in the comedy Punchline (1988). His other credits included Where the Buffalo Roam and A Stranger Is Watching. [c001] [c003] [c004]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Salazar’s work beyond film
Acting was one part of Salazar’s career. He was also a stand-up comedian, appeared on Last Comic Standing and in HBO comedy specials, and continued performing in clubs shortly before his death, according to obituary reporting. The Guardian’s obituary describes that continuing comedy work alongside his screen roles. [c004]
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