Martin Mull dead at 80: Roseanne star passes away at home following ‘valiant fight against a long illness,’ his daughter confirms
Comedian actor Martin Mull died on Thursday at the age of 80.
The star, who played Colonel Mustard in Clue, Roseanne’s boss Leon Carp in the sitcom Roseanne and co-starred with Fred Willard in Norman Lear’s Fernwood 2 Nite, died at home after a long illness, his daughter Maggie Mull said.
“I am deeply saddened to share that my father passed away at home on June 27 after a valiant battle with a long illness,” Maggie wrote. Instagram.
“He was known for excelling in every creative discipline imaginable, and also for his role in Red Roof Inn commercials. He thought that joke was funny. He was always funny,” she continued, next to a black-and-white photo of her father.
“My father will be deeply missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and colleagues, by fellow artists and comedians and musicians, and—the mark of a truly exceptional person—by many, many dogs. I loved him very much,” she concluded.
Comedy actor Martin Mull died Thursday at the age of 80; (2018 photo)
The star played Colonel Mustard in Clue, Roseanne’s boss Leon Carp in the sitcom Roseanne (pictured) and co-starred with Fred Willard in Norman Lear’s Fernwood 2 Nite, passed away at home after battling a ‘long illness’
Mull also played the role of director Willard Kraft in Sabrina: The Teenage Witch from 1997 to 2000.
His co-star, Melissa Joan Hart, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram on Friday, in honor of the late actor.
‘Rest in peace, my friend. The incredible #MartinMull (Principal Kraft) has left us for his eternal rest,” the actress wrote alongside a throwback snap of the pair on the set of Sabrina.
‘I have such wonderful memories of working with him and was impressed by his enormous oeuvre. Before #SabrinaTheTeemageWitch, I knew him from projects like #Roseanne and #MrMom.
“And after our Sabrina days, his oeuvre multiplied with guest and recurring roles in major shows, feature films and animations. He once told me that he takes every job offered to him just in case the train comes to a standstill, which in this business tends to come to a standstill quickly.
“But he was an artist who loved to paint and build things with his hands, a musician and a great man who I know better. He will be missed, but this world has benefited from his presence here.
‘My deepest condolences to his family and friends. I will continue to cherish the artwork of Martin Mull that hangs in my home!’, she concluded.
In 2016, Mull received an Emmy nomination for his guest role as political aide Bob Bradley on Veep.
Mull also played Principal Willard Kraft opposite Melissa Joan Hart in Sabrina: The Teenage Witch from 1997-2000
He recently appeared as a guest on The Afterparty, Not Dead Yet and Grace and Frankie.
Martin Eugene Mull was born in Chicago to an actress and director mother and a carpenter father.
When he was 2 years old, his family moved to North Ridgeville, Ohio, and when he was 15, they moved again to New Canaan, Connecticut.
Mull pursued his passion for painting and earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design.