Comedian, musician and performer Martin Mull, who gained widespread attention in the 1970s on shows like « Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman » and « Fernwood 2-Night, » was active in television and movies for the next half century. He died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. He is 80 years old.
His wife Wendy Mull confirmed his death. His family said he died after suffering from a long illness. No reason was given.
In « Mary Hartman, » Mr. Mull played Garth Kimble, a domestic abuser who met his death by impaling a star on an aluminum Christmas tree.
He starred in the next spinoff of the show, « Fernwood 2-Night, » a parody of talk shows that aired in 1977. He played talk show host Barth Kimble, the twin brother of Garth Kimble.
John J. O'Connor « deals with a manic-depressive Barth with an uncharacteristic yellow mustache that's not meant to be funny or witty, a shaky work situation and some murky allegations about the charges pending against him in Florida, » John J. of The New. O'Connor wrote in a 1977 review of the show's opening week for The York Times. « Barth would only say his lawyer had 'a good case to get in trouble'. »
She is also known for her roles in « Clue » (1985) and the TV shows « Roseanne » and « Arrested Development ». He also played the character Bob Bradley, Assistant to the main character in the political comedy « Veep ».
Most recently, Mr. Mull appeared on the Fox television series « The Cool Kids » About a group of friends who break the rules of living in a retirement community.
Martin E. Mull was born on August 18, 1943 in Chicago to Harold and Betty Mull. Graduated from Rhode Island School of Design. His work Appeared in gallery shows and at the Whitney and Metropolitan Museums.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Maggie Mull.
In a 2018 interview with The Times, he described his approach to art, saying, « I go back and find old Life and Look magazines, people's family photos and things like that, and then I make collages out of them, make my own images, and then paint them. . »
A full obituary will follow.
Alain Delaquerrier Research contributed.
