Martin Mull, star of “Clue” and “Arrested Development,” dies at the age of 80

Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Martin Mull — the actor who made us laugh with his comedic talent in Fernwood 2 nights, Notice, Arrested developmentand more – has died. He was 80. His daughter Maggie announced the news on Instagram. “I am heartbroken to share that my father passed away at home on June 27th after a brave battle with a long illness,” she wrote. “He was known for excelling in every creative discipline imaginable, including his Red Roof Inn commercials. He thought this joke was funny. It was always funny. My father will be sorely missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and colleagues, by fellow artists and comedians and musicians, and – the mark of a truly extraordinary person – by many, many dogs. I loved him immensely.”

Born in 1943, Mull was a truly multi-talented artist. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and his works ended up in galleries, museums and celebrity collections. He began his career in the entertainment industry as a humorous singer-songwriter and then had his breakthrough as an actor in 1976 in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (which earned him a role as Barth Gimble in the spin-offs Fernwood 2 nights And America 2 nights). Mull continued to build his legacy as a comedic actor through a number of other projects, including Clue, White History in America, Roseanne, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Ellen Show, Danny Phantom, Arrested Development, Two and a Half Men, And The cool kidsHe was also nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Bob Bradley in Veep.

In 2018, Mull admitted to the New York Just that he received many compliments from artists whose careers he had inspired. “I think I know why,” he reflected. “Because if you stay in the business and reach a certain age, which I have reached by just still breathing, you’re a legend now – because you made it.”