Hip comic and actor Martin Mull of “Fernwood Tonight” and “Roseanne” passes away at the age of 80

Hip comic and actor Martin Mull of "Fernwood Tonight" and "Roseanne" passes away at the age of 80
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Martin Mull passed away on Friday, according to his daughter. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a hipster because to his esoteric comedy and acting, and he went on to become a popular guest star on comedies like “Arrested Development” and “Roseanne.”

Maggie Mull, a comic artist and TV writer, said her father passed away at home on Thursday following “a brave battle against an extended disease.”

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Mull, a painter and guitarist as well, gained national recognition for his leading part in “Fernwood Tonight,” a spinoff of the satirical soap opera “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” and for his regular role on the show produced by Norman Lear.

Maggie Mull wrote on Instagram, “He was well-known for his work on Red Roof Inn advertisements and for being exceptionally talented in all areas of creativity.” He would laugh at that joke. He was always witty. My dad’s wife and daughter, friends, colleagues, other artists, comedians, musicians, and—as a testament to a genuinely remarkable man—many, many dogs will all mourn him dearly.

Mull, who is well-known for his neatly styled mustache and blonde hair, was born in Chicago, raised in Ohio and Connecticut, and attended art schools in Rhode Island and Rome.

His first venture into show business was as a lyricist, writing vocalist Jane Morgan’s 1970 semi-hit song “A Girl Named Johnny Cash.”

In the 1970s, he would do a comic and musical act in trendy Hollywood clubs.

Mull said to The Associated Press in 1980, “In 1976, I was a sit-down comedy and guitarist performing at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip when Norman Lear happened to walk by and hear me.” He portrayed me in “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” as the husband-beater. After four months, I was given my own show.

The 1973 country rock classic “Lonesome L.A. Cowboy,” which features shoutouts to him from the Riders of the Purple Sage and music icons Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson, honors his time spent on the Strip.

The song begins, “I know Kris and Rita and Marty Mull are hangin’ at the Troubadour.”

He portrayed Barth Gimble, the twin of his “Mary Hartman” character and the host of a small talk show in a midwestern town, on “Fernwood Tonight” (sometimes referred to as “Fernwood 2 Night”). His partner was Fred Willard, a regular collaborator with very similar comic instincts. Later on, it was reimagined as “America 2 Night,” with a Southern California setting.

As Johnny Carson’s replacement on “The Tonight Show,” he would get the opportunity to host a legitimate talk show.

Mull frequently portrayed roles that were a little sleazy, slimy, and frequently smarmy, such as Michael Keaton’s antagonist in 1983’s “Mr. Mom” and Teri Garr’s boss. In the 1985 film adaptation of the board game “Clue,” he portrayed Colonel Mustard. The film, like many other things Mull starred in, has since become a cult favorite.

The 1980s also saw the release of “A History of White People in America,” a mockumentary that debuted on Cinemax and was widely regarded as his best work. In addition to co-creating the program, Mull portrayed a “60 Minutes”-style investigative reporter who looked into everything banal and mild-mannered. Willard costarred once more.

In 1988, he co-wrote and starred in the film “Rented Lips,” directed by Robert Downey Jr., the son of Robert Downey Sr.

Mull was described by his co-star Jennifer Tilly as “such a witty charismatic and kind person” in a Friday X post.

His most well-known job during the 1990s was a recurrent position on multiple seasons of “Roseanne,” where he portrayed a friendlier and less sleazy boss to the show’s lead character, an out homosexual man whose partner was portrayed by Willard, who passed away in 2020.

Mull went on to play the iconic private investigator Gene Parmesan on the beloved television series “Arrested Development.” In 2016, he received his first Emmy nomination for a cameo stint on “Veep.”

Mull told the AP following his nomination, “Though I’d like to think it’s more collective—at least at my age—I’m really pleased of what I did on “Veep.”” It could possibly trace back to “Fernwood.”

His biggest admirers were frequently other performers and comedians.

Paul Feig, the director of “Bridesmaids,” stated on X that Martin was “the greatest.” “Such a nice guy, so funny, and so talented.” I had the honor of performing with him on The Jackie Thomas Show, and I relished every second of spending time with such a legend. Fernwood My life has been greatly impacted by tonight.

Wendy Haas, a musician and Mull’s wife since 1982, survives him.

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