Martin Mull, the versatile comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, and painter who gained fame on the soap opera satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and its spinoff Fernwood 2 Night, has passed away at the age of 80. According to his daughter Maggie Mull, he died last Thursday at home after a ‘valiant fight against a long illness.’
Maggie shared on her Instagram, 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.
Iconic Roles on Television
Mull enjoyed memorable stints in the 1990s as the befuddled principal Willard Kraft on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and as Leon Carp, the gay boss and friend of Roseanne Connor (played by Roseanne Barr) on Roseanne.
He portrayed private detective Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development and a pharmacist indulging in his own product on Two and a Half Men. His performance as political operative Bob Bradley on Veep, which earned him his only Emmy nomination in 2016, still resonates with fans today.
A Pioneering Creative Mind
The witty Mull starred alongside frequent collaborator Fred Willard and co-wrote the 1985 Cinemax mockumentary The History of White People in America and its sequel. He also played Colonel Mustard in the cult classic film Clue (1985).
Mull’s early success stemmed from blending humor with music. In 1970, country star Jane Morgan recorded his parody “A Girl Named Johnny Cash,” a twist on Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue,” which stayed on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for five weeks.
His albums, such as I’m Everyone I Ever Loved earning a Grammy nomination for best comedy recording category, reflect his unique blend of folk tunes and humor that set him apart from others like “Weird Al” Yankovic.
A Dual Role Sensation in Fernwood 2 Night
An indelible mark was made with his performances as Garth and Barth Gimble in Fernwood 2 Night. The show’s clever sitcom format featuring real yet absurd town talk show scenarios became an integral part of his career.
A Rich Legacy Across Arts
Mull held degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design and originally planned a career as a painter. Integrating music into his art from an early age, he leveraged this synergy into his various creative outlets.
Lesser-known performances stretch to films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Mr. Mom, and more recent sitcoms like Fox’s The Cool Kids. He continued to take vibrant roles until late into his career with appearances in sitcoms like Netflix’s The Ranch.
A Family Man Remembered Fondly
Mull is survived by third wife Wendy Haas whom he married in 1982, and daughter Maggie, now a TV writer-producer known for her contribution to shows like Life in Pieces.
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