Martin Mull, ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ and ‘Roseanne’ Star, Dies at 80
Image Source: BBC
Renowned American sitcom star Martin Mull, known for his roles in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Roseanne,” has passed away at the age of 80.
Mr. Mull was not only an actor but also a comedian. He also starred in the 1985 comedy film “Clue.” He died on Thursday at his home after battling a long illness, according to his daughter Maggie Mull, who announced his passing on social media.
She paid tribute to her father on Instagram, noting that he “was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and for doing Red Roof Inn commercials.” “He would find that joke funny,” she added. “He was never not funny.”
Mr. Mull first gained prominence in 1976 with a notable role as Garth Gimble on the soap opera spoof “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” This role led to two additional spin-off roles for Mull. He also portrayed army officer Colonel Mustard in the black-comedy film “Clue,” inspired by the board game of the same name.
Mull also lent his voice to Red Roof Inn advertisements, as mentioned in his daughter’s tribute.
Fans of 1990s television will especially recognize Mr. Mull for his roles as the titular character’s boss, Leon Carp, on “Roseanne,” and as Principal Willard Kraft on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” Mull also appeared in the critically acclaimed satirical sitcom “Arrested Development,” portraying hapless private detective Gene Parmesan.
Mull made guest appearances on numerous other well-known television shows, including “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Golden Girls,” and “Two and a Half Men.” He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for a four-episode appearance on HBO’s political satire “Veep” in 2016.
Martin Mull was born in Chicago, US, to an actress and a carpenter. Mull’s acting career began as a songwriter, and over time, he became known as a musical comedian. He opened for Frank Zappa and Bruce Springsteen at numerous live gigs in the early 1970s.
In addition to acting and songwriting, he was also a painter. He studied painting and graduated in 1965 from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
In a 2013 interview, he reflected on his career, stating, “Every painter I know has a day job. They’re either teaching art at some college or driving a cab. I just happened to luck into a day job that’s extraordinary and a lot of fun and buys a lot of paint.”
Mr. Mull’s death is a profound loss for his wife Wendy Haas, an actor and composer whom he married in 1982, and his daughter, who is also a TV writer.
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