Martin Mull, whose sharp wit and unique comedic style made him a standout in the 1970s and a beloved figure on television for decades, has died at the age of 80. His daughter, TV writer and comic artist Maggie Mull, announced that he passed away at home on Thursday after a long battle with illness.
Mull's career was marked by versatility and creativity. He first gained national fame with his recurring role on Norman Lear's satirical soap opera "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," which led to the starring role in its spinoff, "Fernwood Tonight." Mull's daughter, Maggie, paid tribute to her father on Instagram, highlighting his ability to excel in every creative field imaginable and his sense of humor, which remained intact even in his final days. "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," she wrote.
Born in Chicago and raised in Ohio and Connecticut, Mull pursued art studies in Rhode Island and Rome before venturing into show business as a songwriter. His 1970 semi-hit "A Girl Named Johnny Cash" for singer Jane Morgan marked the beginning of his entertainment career. He soon combined music and comedy, performing at trendy Hollywood clubs in the 1970s. "In 1976 I was a guitar player and sit-down comic appearing at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip when Norman Lear walked in and heard me," Mull told The Associated Press in 1980. "He cast me as the wife beater on 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.' Four months later I was spun off on my own show."
Mull's time on the Sunset Strip was immortalized in the 1973 country rock song "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" by Riders of the Purple Sage, which mentions him alongside music legends Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. "I know Kris and Rita and Marty Mull are hangin' at the Troubadour," the song goes.
On "Fernwood Tonight," Mull played Barth Gimble, the host of a fictional local talk show, alongside his frequent collaborator Fred Willard, who portrayed his sidekick. The show was later revamped as "America 2 Night" and set in Southern California. Mull also served as a substitute host for Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show," further cementing his status in the comedy world.
Mull was known for portraying slightly sleazy and smarmy characters, such as Teri Garr's boss and Michael Keaton's adversary in the 1983 film "Mr. Mom." He played Colonel Mustard in the 1985 film adaptation of the board game "Clue," a role that has since become a cult classic. His mockumentary series "A History of White People in America," co-created with Willard, is often cited as some of his best work.
In the 1990s, Mull was widely recognized for his recurring role on "Roseanne," where he played a more sympathetic character, an openly gay boss to Roseanne, whose partner was again played by Fred Willard. Mull later portrayed the bumbling private investigator Gene Parmesan on "Arrested Development," earning a cult following. He received his first Emmy nomination in 2016 for his guest appearance on "Veep."
Reflecting on his career after the Emmy nod, Mull told the AP, "What I did on 'Veep' I'm very proud of, but I'd like to think it's probably more collective, at my age it's more collective. It might go all the way back to 'Fernwood.'"
Mull's colleagues and fans, including prominent comedians and actors, frequently expressed admiration for his talent and kindness. Paul Feig, director of "Bridesmaids," tweeted, "Martin was the greatest. So funny, so talented, such a nice guy. Was lucky enough to act with him on The Jackie Thomas Show and treasured every moment being with a legend. Fernwood Tonight was so influential in my life."
