Martin Mull, the celebrated comedian and actor known for his roles in 'Arrested Development' and 'Roseanne,' passes away at the age of 80.

 LOS ANGELES — Martin Mull, the acclaimed comedian and actor whose dry wit and distinctive style captivated audiences in the 1970s and endeared him to fans through memorable roles on sitcoms like “Roseanne” and “Arrested Development,” passed away, his daughter announced Friday.

Maggie Mull, a television writer and comic artist, shared that her father died at home on Thursday following a courageous battle with a prolonged illness.

Mull, a multifaceted talent known not only for his comedic prowess but also for his skills as a guitarist and painter, first gained national recognition with a recurring part on the satirical soap opera “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” created by Norman Lear. He later headlined its spinoff, “Fernwood Tonight,” solidifying his place in the entertainment industry."He was celebrated for his mastery across every creative endeavor imaginable, and yes, even for those Red Roof Inn commercials," Maggie Mull wrote in an Instagram post. "He'd find that joke funny. He was never not funny. My dad will be deeply missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and colleagues, by fellow artists, comedians, musicians, and—truly indicative of his exceptional nature—by countless dogs."

Martin Mull, recognized for his distinctive blonde hair and impeccably groomed mustache, was born in Chicago, raised in Ohio and Connecticut, and pursued art studies in Rhode Island and Rome.

His journey into entertainment began as a songwriter, crafting the 1970 semi-hit “A Girl Named Johnny Cash” for singer Jane Morgan. Mull seamlessly blended music and comedy in performances at trendy Hollywood clubs during the 1970s.

"In 1976, I was a guitarist and a sit-down comic at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip when Norman Lear walked in and heard me," Mull recounted to The Associated Press in 1980. "He cast me as the wife beater on ‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.’ Four months later, I was spun off onto my own show."

His presence on the Sunset Strip was immortalized in the 1973 country rock anthem “Lonesome L.A. Cowboy,” where the Riders of the Purple Sage paid homage to him alongside music icons Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge.

"I know Kris and Rita and Marty Mull are hangin' at the Troubadour," the song lyrically declared.

On “Fernwood Tonight” (also stylized as “Fernwood 2 Night”), Mull portrayed Barth Gimble, the host of a local talk show in a midwestern town, reprising his role from “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” His comedic partner, Fred Willard, shared his similar comic sensibilities and frequently collaborated with him. The show was later revamped as “America 2 Night” and relocated to Southern California.He had the opportunity to guest host “The Tonight Show” in place of Johnny Carson.

Throughout his career, Mull often portrayed characters that were slightly sleazy, sometimes slimy, and frequently smarmy, such as Teri Garr's boss and Michael Keaton's adversary in the 1983 film “Mr. Mom.” He famously played Colonel Mustard in the 1985 movie adaptation of the board game “Clue,” which, like many of his roles, achieved cult status.

In what many consider his finest work of the 1980s, Mull co-created and starred in “A History of White People in America,” a mockumentary that debuted on Cinemax. In this role, he humorously embodied a “60 Minutes”-style investigative reporter delving into all things bland and mundane, with frequent collaborator Fred Willard by his side.

Mull also wrote and starred alongside Robert Downey Jr. in the 1988 film “Rented Lips,” which was directed by Robert Downey Sr.

Actress Jennifer Tilly, sharing her thoughts on social media, described Mull as “such a witty, charismatic, and kind person.”

In the 1990s, Mull became well-known for his recurring role on “Roseanne,” where he portrayed a warmer, less dubious boss to the title character. His character was openly gay, with Willard playing his partner until his passing in 2020.

Later in his career, Mull delighted audiences as Gene Parmesan, a private investigator on the beloved series “Arrested Development,” earning his first Emmy nomination in 2016 for a guest appearance on “Veep.”

Reflecting on his career after the Emmy nod, Mull shared with 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.’”

Many fellow comedians and actors considered Mull a legend. Director Paul Feig, known for “Bridesmaids,” fondly recalled, “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.”

Survived by his daughter Maggie Mull and his wife since 1982, musician Wendy Haas, Martin Mull leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of comedy and entertainment.....Read More