Martin Mull, the comedic actor who made generations of audiences laugh in a number of iconic roles, has died at the age of 80. Best known for roles in Clue, Roseanne, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Mull died of illness, his daughter revealed on Instagram Friday.
Sharing a black and white photo of Mull in a recliner, leaning over to pose and pet his dog, daughter Maggie Mull revealed her father died on Thursday, June 27, “after a valiant fight against a long illness.”
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.
Maggie Mull/Instagram
Martin Mull was first introduced to TV audiences in Norman Lear’s 1976 soap opera parody series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. He worked primarily in television throughout the rest of the ’70s, taking on film in the early 1980s.
In 1985, Mull appealed to audiences as Colonel Mustard in Clue, the dark comedy based on the murder mystery board game. He would go on to appear in Mrs. Doubtfire and Mr. Mom, among many other comedic titles.
Mull also appeared on the latter half of Roseanne, playing her boss-turned-business partner, Leon Karp. It made for many memorable moments opposite Fred Willard, who played his partner, Scott.
Mull would keep his love for sitcoms alive with roles on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Arrested Development. He also did voice work, with parts in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, The Simpsons, Recess, and many other beloved animated films and series.
Acting wasn’t Martin Mull’s only talent. The actor was also a talented musician and songwriter, opening for big acts like Frank Zappa, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen before devoting himself to acting.
With his flair for comedy even shining through in his musical work, Mull was best known for comedic and satirical tunes. He would perform live, though some of his bigger successes were produced by his pen.
Tributes to Mull Are Coming from All Walks of Culture
People across the entertainment industry are remembering Martin Mull for his many talents, as well as his tremendous kind heart.
