Donald Margolis
Vital statistics
Portrayed By	John de Lancie
Occupation(s)	Air-Traffic Controller, Landlord
Status	Unknown
Episode Count	4
First Appearance	Over
Last Seen	No Mas
Images of Donald Margolis

Donald Margolis is Jane's father who works as an air traffic controller. He owns the building his daughter managed for him where Jesse lived. He sent Jane to rehab once before and goes with her to recovery meetings. Donald becomes furious when he discovers that his daughter is back on heroin, suspecting Jesse is at fault. He nearly calls the police, but relents when Jane promises to go back into rehab. Depressed, he goes to a bar and strikes up a conversation with a stranger (Walter) about the heartache of raising children. His words inspire Walter to help Jesse get clean from heroin ("Phoenix").

The next day he arrives at his daughter's house and finds medical personnel taking her out in a bodybag. He answers a few questions about Jane, says nothing to Jesse, and leaves with his daughter's body. After a hiatus, he goes back to work despite still being distraught over his daughter's death. He makes a fatal error that causes a 737, Wayfarer 515, to collide with another plane in the skies over Albquerque ("ABQ").

Donald is all over the news following the crash as the investigators question to what extent he was responsible for the accident and whether it was appropriate for him to be allowed to work so soon after his daughter's tragic death. While driving, Walt overhears on the radio that Donald was rushed to the hospital from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, which visibly disturbs him as a reminder of his involvement in the Wayfarer disaster. ("Green Light").

Trivia

• The Margolis name is a reference to the actor who plays Hector Salamanca, Mark Margolis.