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Martin Mull

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Martin Mull
Mull playing guitar
Mull in 1976
Birth nameMartin Eugene Mull[1]
Born(1943-08-18)August 18, 1943[2]
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJune 27, 2024(2024-06-27) (aged 80)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationNew Canaan High School
Alma materRhode Island School of Design (BFA, MFA)
Years active1970–2023
Spouse
  • Kristin Johnson
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1972; div. 1978)​
  • Sandra Baker
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1978; div. 1981)​
  • ​
    (m. 1982)​
Children1

Martin Eugene Mull (August 18, 1943 – June 27, 2024) was an American comic actor whose career included contributions as a musician and painter. Mull gained visibility on screen for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and its spin-off Fernwood 2 Night. His other notable roles included Colonel Mustard in the 1985 film Clue, Leon Carp on Roseanne, Willard Kraft on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Vlad Masters / Vlad Plasmius on Danny Phantom, and Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development. He had a recurring role on Two and a Half Men as Russell, the drug-using, humorous pharmacist.

Early life and education

Mull was born in Chicago, the son of Betty Mull, an actress and director, and Harold Mull, an acoustics engineer.[3] He moved with his family to North Ridgeville, Ohio, when he was two years old.[1] They lived there until he was 15 years old, when his family moved to New Canaan, Connecticut. There he attended and graduated from New Canaan High School.[4] He studied painting and graduated in 1965 from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts; in 1967, he earned a Master of Fine Arts in painting, also from RISD.[5]

Career

Music

Mull broke into show business as a songwriter, penning Jane Morgan's 1970 country single, "A Girl Named Johnny Cash", which peaked at No. 61 on Billboard's country charts. Shortly thereafter, he began his own recording career.[6]

Mull in discussion, 2018

Throughout the 1970s, and especially in the first half of the decade, Mull was best known as a musical comedian, performing satirical and humorous songs both live and in studio recordings. Rather than use the stage trappings of most musical acts, Mull would decorate his stage with comfortable thrift store furniture.[7] Notable live gigs included opening for Randy Newman and Sandy Denny at Boston Symphony Hall in 1973;[8] Frank Zappa at Austin's Armadillo World Headquarters in 1973; Billy Joel in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1974; and for Bruce Springsteen at the Shady Grove Music Fair in Gaithersburg, Maryland, in October 1974. His self-titled debut album, released by Capricorn in 1972, featured many noteworthy musicians, including Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Levon Helm from The Band, Keith Spring of NRBQ, Jack Bone,[9] and Libby Titus.[10]

Elvis Costello and Gary Sperrazza attribute the remark "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture" to Martin Mull.[11][12]

Acting

Mull's first well-known acting role was as Garth Gimble in the 1976 television nighttime absurdist soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. This led to work in the spin-off talk show parodies Fernwood 2 Night (1977) and America 2 Night (1978), in which he played talk show host Barth Gimble (Garth's twin brother), opposite Fred Willard, as sidekick and announcer Jerry Hubbard. Mull also appeared as the neurotic, libidinous disc jockey Eric Swan in the 1978 movie FM, his feature film debut.

In 1979, Mull appeared in the Taxi episode Hollywood Calling. He created, wrote for and starred in the short-lived 1984 CBS sitcom Domestic Life, with Megan Follows playing his teenaged daughter. In one episode of The Golden Girls, he played a hippie who was afraid of the outside world. He had a long-running role as Leon Carp, Roseanne Conner's gay boss (and later business partner) on the TV series Roseanne.

During the 1980s, Mull played supporting roles in the films Mr. Mom and Clue, and had a rare lead role in Serial. He also starred in a series of commercials for Michelob and Pizza Hut, and in a series of television and radio commercials for Red Roof Inn with Fred Willard. He appeared in the Pecos Bill episode of the Shelley Duvall TV series Tall Tales & Legends. He also did the voice of Vlad Masters / Vlad Plasmius, the main villain in Danny Phantom from 2004 to 2007. From 1997 to 2000, Mull played Willard Kraft on the show Sabrina the Teenage Witch as Sabrina Spellman's high school's vice-principal in seasons 2 and 3 and then becoming her high school's principal in season 4. In the 1980s, Mull co-created and starred in The History of White People in America—the Associated Press said the mockumentary was "what many thought was his best work".[13]

Mull has appeared as a guest star on the game show Hollywood Squares, appearing as the center square in the show's final season, from 2003 to 2004. In late 2004 and in 2013's Netflix-produced Season 4, he portrayed Gene Parmesan, a private investigator, on the TV series Arrested Development. During 2008 and 2009, Mull guest starred in two episodes of the television series Gary Unmarried, as Allison's father.[14]

Mull also starred in the Fox sitcoms Dads and The Cool Kids, the latter with David Alan Grier, Vicki Lawrence, and Leslie Jordan.

Art

Mull began painting in the 1970s, and his work has appeared in group and solo exhibits. He participated in the June 15, 1971 exhibit "Flush with the Walls" in the men's room of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to protest the lack of contemporary and local art in the museum.[15] His first serious one-person exhibition was held in 1980 at the Molly Barnes Gallery in Los Angeles and was credited by artist Mark Kostabi as instrumental in launching his own career because of "Mull's simultaneous embrace of humor and gravitas in visual art." His work often combined photorealist painting, and the pop art and collage styles.[16] He published a book of some of his paintings, titled Paintings Drawings and Words, in 1995. One of his paintings was used on the cover for the 2008 Joyce Carol Oates novel My Sister, My Love.[17] Another painting, titled After Dinner Drinks (2008), which is owned by Steve Martin, was used for the cover of Love Has Come for You, an album by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.[18]

Personal life and death

Twice divorced, Mull was married to singer Wendy Haas. They have a daughter, Maggie,[19][20][21] who as of 2021 is a co-executive producer for Family Guy.

In a 2010 interview on The Green Room with Paul Provenza, Mull identified himself as an agnostic, saying, "I certainly don't begrudge someone else their choice to follow whatever they do, it's just for me, it doesn't make a lot of sense. I think more harm has come to this planet through organized religion, probably, than any single situation that we've invented."[22]

Mull died at his Los Angeles home on June 27, 2024, "after a valiant fight against a long illness.”[23][24][25]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1978 FM Eric Swan
1980 Serial Harvey Holroyd
1980 My Bodyguard Mr. Peache
1981 Take This Job and Shove It Dick Ebersol
1982 Flicks Tang/Arthur Lyle
1983 Mr. Mom Ron Richardson
1983 Private School Pharmacy Guy Uncredited
1984 Bad Manners Warren Fitzpatrick
1985 Clue Colonel Mustard
1985 O.C. and Stiggs Pat Coletti
1986 The Boss' Wife Tony Dugdale
1988 Rented Lips Archie Powell Also writer and producer
1989 Cutting Class William Carson III
1990 Ski Patrol Sam Marris
1990 Think Big Dr. Hayden Bruekner
1990 Far Out Man Dr. Leddledick
1992 Miracle Beach Donald Burbank
1992 Dance with Death Art
1993 Mrs. Doubtfire Justin Gregory
1994 Mr. Write Dan Barnes
1996 Edie & Pen Johnnie Sparkle
1996 Jingle All the Way D.J.
1998 Zack and Reba Virgil Payne
1998 Richie Rich's Christmas Wish Richard Rich Sr. Direct-to-video
2000 Attention Shoppers Charles
2002 The Year That Trembled Wayne Simonelli
2006 Relative Strangers Jeffry Morton
2010 Killers Holbrook
2013 Tim's Vermeer Himself Documentary
2018 A Futile and Stupid Gesture Modern Doug Kenney Final film role

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Television

Year Film Role Notes
1976–1977 Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman Garth Gimble / Barth Gimble 49 episodes
1977 Fernwood 2 Night Barth Gimble 44 episodes
1977 The New Adventures of Wonder Woman Hamlin Rule/Pied Piper Episode: "The Pied Piper"
1978 America 2-Night Barth Gimble 65 episodes
1979 Taxi Roger Chapman Episode: "Hollywood Calling"
1983 Sunset Limousine Mel Shaver Television film
1984 Domestic Life Martin Crane 10 episodes
1985 The History of White People in America Himself Mockumentary; also writer and executive producer
1985 Lots of Luck Frank Maris Television film
1985 California Girls Elliot Television film
1988 Portrait of a White Marriage Martin Mull Television film; also writer and executive producer
1990 His & Hers Doug Lambert 13 episodes
1990 The Golden Girls Jimmy Episode: "Snap Out of It"
1991 Get a Life Sandy Connors Episode: "Chris Wins a Celebrity"
1991–1997 Roseanne Leon Carp 46 episodes; also creative consultant (season 4) and wrote episode "Tolerate Thy Neighbor"
1992–1993 The Larry Sanders Show Himself 2 episodes
1993 The Day My Parents Ran Away Norman Roberts Television film
1993 Family Dog Skip Binsford Voice, 10 episodes
1994 Burke's Law Wayne Hudson Episode: "Who Killed Good Time Charlie?"
1994 How the West Was Fun Bart Gifooley Television film
1995 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Marlin Pfinch-Lupus Episode: "Whine, Whine, Whine"
1997 Beverly Hills Family Robinson Doug Robinson Television film
1997 Over the Top Brookes Jenson Episode: "The Review"
1997–2000 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Willard Kraft 39 episodes
1998–2000 Recess Paul Prickly 2 episodes
1998 The Simpsons Seth Voice, episode: "D'oh-in' in the Wind"
2000 Family Guy Mr. Harris Voice, episode: "If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin'"
2000 Just Shoot Me! Stan Episode: "Slamming Jack"
2000 The Wild Thornberrys Dennis Tucker Voice, episode: "Birthday Quake"[26]
2001 Sister Mary Explains It All Skeptical Husband Television film
2001–2002 The Ellen Show Ed Munn 18 episodes
2002 Dexter's Laboratory M.A.R. 10 Voice, episode: "Lab on the Run"
2002 Teamo Supremo Governor Kevin Voice, 10 episodes
2003 Reba Dr. Todd Episode: "Encounters"
1998–2004 Hollywood Squares Himself
2004 Half & Half Bob Tyrell Episode: "The Big Rules of Engagement Episode"
2004 Reno 911! Jim Kringle Episode: "Department Investigation: Part 2"
2004–2007 Danny Phantom Vlad Masters / Vlad Plasmius Voice, 16 episodes[26]
2004, 2013
2018–2019 		Arrested Development Gene Parmesan 6 episodes
2004 A Boyfriend for Christmas Martin Grant Television film
2005 Hopeless Pictures Skip Voice
2005–2011 American Dad! Father Donovan Voice, 10 episodes
2006 Crumbs Tom Episode: "Six Feet Blunder"
2007 The War at Home Principal Fink 3 episodes
2008–2009 Gary Unmarried Charlie 2 episodes
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dr. Gideon Hutton Episode: "Retro"
2008–2009 My Boys Dr. Clayton 2 episodes
2008–2013 Two and a Half Men Russell 6 episodes
2009 Eastwick Milton Philmont Episode: "Reaping and Sewing"
2010 'Til Death Whitey 12 episodes
2011 Oliver's Ghost Clive Rutledge Television film
2011 Mad Love Kurt Grabowski Episode: "After the Fireworks"
2012 El Jefe Richard Turkus Unaired pilot
2013 Psych Highway Harry Episode: "100 Clues"
2013 Reading Writing & Romance Phil Television film
2013–2014 Dads Crawford Whittemore 19 episodes
2015 Community George Perry 2 episodes
2015–2017 Life in Pieces Gary Timpkins 4 episodes
2016 Hail Mary Mr. Wolf Unaired pilot
2016 Veep Bob Bradley 4 episodes
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
2016–2020 The Ranch Jerry 13 episodes
2017 NCIS: Los Angeles Eddie (Edward O'Boyle) Episode: "Old Tricks"
2017–2019 I'm Sorry Martin 7 episodes
2018–2019 The Cool Kids Charlie 22 episodes
2020 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Admiral Walter Peralta Episode: "Admiral Peralta"
2020 Bless This Mess Martin Episode: "The Table"
2020 Bob's Burgers Shopkeeper Voice, episode: "Local She-ro"
2022 Grace and Frankie H.W. Wallingford Episode: "The Last Hurrah"
2022 Maggie Zach Episode: "The Fortune You Seek is in Another Cookie"
2023 Not Dead Yet Monty 3 episodes
2023 The Afterparty Sheriff Reardon 2 episodes

Video game

Year Film Role Notes
2005 Nicktoons Unite! Vlad Plasmius Voice[26]

Discography

  • Martin Mull (1972)
  • "Dueling Tubas" (single) charted at #92 on Billboard's Hot 100 (1973); #87 in Canada;[27] #70 in Canada AC[28]
  • Martin Mull and His Fabulous Furniture in Your Living Room! (1973)
  • Normal (1974)
  • In the Soop with Martin Mull (with Ed Wise and Les Daniels, recorded in 1967, released in 1974)
  • Days of Wine and Neuroses (1975)
  • I'm Everyone I've Ever Loved (1977)
  • No Hits, Four Errors – The Best of Martin Mull (1977)
  • Sex & Violins (1978)
  • Near Perfect/Perfect (1979)
  • Mulling It Over – A Musical Ouvre-View of Martin Mull (1998)

References

  1. ^ a b "The Complete History of Martin Mull" (PDF). The Flint Voice. March 6, 1981. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-24. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  2. ^ "Today in history". The New York Times. Associated Press. 2014-08-18. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  3. ^ Ely, Robert (December 7, 1979). "Martin Mull has interest in art, penchant for humor". St. Petersburg Times.
  4. ^ "Martin Mull". Patterson & Associates. Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2006-09-17.
  5. ^ "Martin Mull Witnesses the "Madness"". Rhode Island School of Design. 2013-04-24. Archived from the original on 2018-09-20. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  6. ^ Dagan, Carmel (June 28, 2024). "Martin Mull, Comic Actor in 'Fernwood 2 Night,' 'Clue,' 'Arrested Development,' Dies at 80". Variety. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  7. ^ Alterman, Loraine (3 June 1973). "Martin Mull's Fabulous Furniture". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "The Tech, (May 11, 1973)". Learningace.com. Retrieved 2016-08-26.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "Martin Mull, Capricorn Records 1972". Discogs. 2024-06-29. Retrieved 2024-06-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "The History of the Band, (March 2013)". The Band. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  11. ^ "Writing About Music". Quote Investigator. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  12. ^ "Quotes Uncovered: Dancing About Architecture". Freakonomics. 2010-12-30. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  13. ^ Dalton, Andrew (June 29, 2024). "Martin Mull, hip comic and actor from 'Fernwood Tonight' and 'Roseanne,' dies at 80". Associated Press. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  14. ^ "Gary Unmarried". The Futon Critic. 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  15. ^ Cook, Greg (June 15, 2011). "Local Artists Commemorate -and re-stage -a legendary protest". The Phoenix. Boston. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  16. ^ Martin Mull, Artnet
  17. ^ Format Follies, Pt. 3, Christopher Currie, Furious Horses (blog), April 1, 2009
  18. ^ Neale, April (2013). "Steve Martin's 'Love has Come For You' celebrates Martin Mull's artistry, tour dates (VIDEO) Archived 2014-05-25 at the Wayback Machine", Monsters And Critics.
  19. ^ Wojciechowski, Michele "Wojo" (September 27, 2013). "FOX's Dads Star Martin Mull: The Accidental Comedian". Parade. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  20. ^ "Martin Mull Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  21. ^ Lavin, Cheryl (September 4, 1994). "Martin Mull". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  22. ^ The Green Room with Paul Provenza, July 15, 2010, archived from the original on 2021-12-21
  23. ^ Mayorquín, Orlando. "Martin Mull, Comic Actor Who Starred in 'Mary Hartman,' Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  24. ^ Knolle, Sharon (2024-06-28). "Martin Mull, Comic Actor of 'Clue,' 'Roseanne' and 'Arrested Development,' Dies at 80". TheWrap.
  25. ^ Koseluk, Chris (2024-06-28). "Martin Mull, Funnyman and 'Fernwood 2 Night' Star, Dies at 80". The Hollywood Reporter.
  26. ^ a b c "Martin Mull (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 9, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  27. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles" (PDF). RPM: 15. May 19, 1973.
  28. ^ "RPM Top 100 A.C." (PDF). RPM: 20. June 9, 1973.
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