Martin Mull, the droll comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, and painter who found fame on the soap opera satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and its spinoff Fernwood 2 Night, has passed away at 80.
Mull’s daughter, Maggie Mull, confirmed his death on Instagram, stating that he died Thursday at home after a valiant fight against a long illness
. She expressed heartfelt sentiments: He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and also for doing Red Roof Inn commercials. He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny. My dad will be deeply missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and coworkers, by fellow artists and comedians and musicians, and — the sign of a truly exceptional person — by many, many dogs. I loved him tremendously
.
Martin Mull enjoyed lengthy roles in the 1990s as Willard Kraft on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and as Leon Carp on Roseanne. Fans will also remember his iconic turn as private detective Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development.
Mull starred alongside Fred Willard in the cult classic Fernwood 2 Night, where he played Barth Gimble. The two had incredible chemistry that became a definitive part of TV comedy.
Early Successes Set the Stage
Mull rose to national fame with a recurring role on the satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Designed to poke fun at America’s consumerism obsession, it starred Louise Lasser trying not to lose her mind in suburbia. Despite portraying one of its most disliked characters, Garth Gimble, Mull’s comic timing left a lasting impression.
From Television to Films
Mull appeared in various recurring roles across television shows such as The Jackie Thomas Show, The Ellen Show, Dads, and Life in Pieces. He also played Colonel Mustard in the 1985 movie Clue, adding another memorable character to his diverse portfolio.
A Multitalented Performer
Mull combined his knack for song and comedy early in his career. In 1970, Jane Morgan recorded his parody A Girl Named Johnny Cash, leading to more musical work like Santa Doesn’t Cop Out on Dope. His albums featured musicians like Levon Helm of The Band.
Award-Winning Legacy
His performance as Bob Bradley on Veep earned him an Emmy nomination in 2016. Mull continued acting in later years with roles on Netflix’s The Ranch and ABC’s Not Dead Yet.
A Reflective Conclusion
Mull’s diverse talents extended beyond acting into music, painting, and writing. His influence on television comedy remains undeniable through characters like Barth Gimble and Leon Carp. As Maggie Mull put it: My dad will be deeply missed by his family, friends, fellow artists, and audiences who enjoyed his myriad artistic contributions.
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