ScarfaceActor Ángel Salazar's Cause of Death Revealed as Accidental and Drug-Related

Mar. 15, 2025

ScarfaceactorÁngel Salazar’s cause of death has been revealed.

On Thursday, Oct. 24,TMZreported that Salazar, who died at age 68 on Aug. 11, was found to have died from acute intoxication from drug use, including cocaine.

According to the outlet, citing the New York Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, Salazar’s death was the result of combined effects from cocaine, cyclobenzaprine and diphenhydramine, a type of antihistamine.

TMZ reported that the vascular disease arteriosclerosis and hypertensive cardiovascular disease were also listed as contributing factors to Salazar’s death. The medical examiner ultimately ruled his death as accidental.

The New York Chief Medical Examiner’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for confirmation.

A rep for Salazar confirmed his death in August, saying he was found in the bathroom at a friend’s home in Brooklyn, New York, after he had gone to take a shower. The actor had an enlarged heart, his rep said at the time.

Salazar made his big-screen debut with small parts in the 1979 filmsBoulevard NightsandWalk Proud, before starring as Chi-Chi, a henchman ofAl Pacino’s Tony Montana, in 1983’sScarface.

He went on to star oppositeTom HanksinPunchline(1988) and teamed up with Pacino, 84, again in 1993’sCarlito’s Way,costarringSean PennandPenelope Ann Miller. Salazar, who was born in Cuba, was also an accomplished comedian.

He appeared in the 2006 documentaryThe Latin Legends of Comedy,as well as onLast Comic Standingand in various other comedy specials and series, includingIn Living ColorandOn Our Own.

Salazar’s final film project was Eric Rivas’The Brooklyn Premiere, in which the actor reunited withScarfacecostar Steven Bauerfor a spoof onthe crime drama.

source: people.com