Martin Mull, an admired comedian, actor, and musician, died on June 27, 2024 at 80, after a long illness. Mull’s daughter, Maggie Mull, announced the news on Instagram, expressing her heartbreak and sharing fond memories of her father.
“He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and doing Red Roof Inn commercials,” Maggie wrote, adding a touch of humor that her father would have appreciated. “He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny.”
Mull’s career spanned over five decades, making him a household name through his diverse television, film, and music roles. He first gained fame in the 1970s with his role in the satirical soap opera “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and its spin-offs, “Fernwood 2 Night” and “America 2 Night.”
He was perhaps best known to modern audiences for his roles as Leon Carp on “Roseanne” and Principal Willard Kraft on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” His comedic talents were also showcased in “Arrested Development,” where he played Gene Parmesan, a private detective with impeccable comedic timing. Mull’s role as Colonel Mustard in the 1985 film “Clue” remains iconic.
Throughout his career, Mull also pursued his passion for music and painting. He wrote the theme song for the 1970 series “The 51st State” and served as a music producer for the 1971 film “Jump.” His satirical song “A Girl Named Johnny Cash,” recorded by Jane Morgan, hit No. 61 on Billboard’s country charts in 1970. His talents in visual arts were equally recognized, with his paintings being exhibited in various galleries.
Tributes poured in from friends and colleagues who remembered Mull for his professional achievements and character. Melissa Joan Hart, who worked with Mull on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” shared her memories, calling him a “wonderful man” and an artist who enjoyed creating with his hands. “Rest in Peace, my friend. The incredible Martin Mull has left us for his eternal rest,” she wrote on Instagram.
Director Paul Feig, who collaborated with Mull on “The Jackie Thomas Show,” described him as “the greatest” and praised his wit and talent. Tom Arnold, Mull’s co-star from “Roseanne,” took to “X” and remembered him as a great comic, actor, writer, and artist who left a significant impact on those who knew him.
Maggie Mull continued her tribute to her father’s life and career, saying: “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. I loved him tremendously,” she wrote, highlighting the personal loss those closest to him felt.
Besides his daughter Maggie, Mull leaves behind his wife of over 40 years, Wendy Haas, whom he married in 1982.
